#1 Home Improvement Retailer

Do you have what you need to make your garden grow?

pro installer with home depot shirt using power drill on wooden furniture
the home depot logo with home services and tag line let us do it for you
Explore Your Local Garden Center at a Home Depot Near You.
Get inspired to upgrade your plants and landscaping.

Garden Center

Contact Us

Pro Service Desk

(863)284-5491

Rental Center

(863)284-5482

Store Hours

Mon-Sat:
6:00am - 10:00pm

Sun:
8:00am - 8:00pm

Curbside:
09:00am - 6:00pm

Location

2805 Us Highway 98 N

Lakeland, FL 33805

map preview

Garden Project Calculators

Grass Seed Calculator

Grass Seed Calculator

When you're ready to seed your lawn, our calculator helps you estimate the amount of grass seed you'll need to get the job done.

Mulch Calculator

Mulch Calculator

Enter your preferred material, the square footage and mulch depth of the coverage space for accurate results.

Fencing Calculator

Fencing Calculator

We'll calculate the amount of fencing you should purchase based on your property needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening

Which planting zone am I in?

Check the USDA plant hardiness zone map, as planting zones have shifted over the years. Zones with higher numbers can plant earlier in the year. Choose plants that are meant for your zone and increase your odds of gardening success.

What does direct sow mean?

If the ground isn't frozen solid and the soil isn't cold, consider planting your flower, veggie, or fruit seeds directly into your garden. This is called the "direct sow" method. The time to plant will be after the threat of frost is gone for the season, as seedlings and sprouts can't weather those conditions. You can also start your seeds indoors if you'd like. Consult your seed packet for how and when to sow seeds.

Do you carry organic plants and seeds?

We offer many organic gardening options, including organic fruit seeds and veggie seeds, as well as organic flower and herb seeds that are subject to availability. We also carry the organic fertilizer to feed your plants and the organic soil to plant them in.

Do I have to harden off my seedlings before planting them outside?

Yes, for best results, if you raised plants indoors from seeds in your own plant nursery, harden them before you transplant them. Hardening is the process of getting them used to outdoor life and the fluctuating spring weather. It slows their growth until they're strong and ready to take off during a spring warm front. Hardening also makes your plants more resilient to a sudden cold snap.

How do I prep for planting transplants or seeds outside?

Before you plant, make sure that it's warm enough outside, the soil is healthy, and your plant will have the right amount of sun. Check your seed envelope to see if it likes full sun, shade, or partial sun, as well as what time of year it should be planted. Space your plants as described for best results so your plant babies have room to grow big and strong.

What are seed tapes?

If you're dealing with extremely tiny seeds or want more guidance in planting, consider seed tapes. They're biodegradable pieces of paper with tiny seeds affixed at regular intervals. Just bury the tape and water as directed. If all goes well, your perfectly spaced sprouts will pop up soon.

The Home Depot Garden Center at Lakeland

Set Up For Springtime
It's time to start thinking of spring. Clean the shed and sweep out the gazebo to prepare for warmer temperatures, sprouts poking out of the ground, and fragrant breezes. Planting seeds indoors means you'll be ready to transplant spring flowers and young veggie plants when the ground thaws and the frosts are through. You might even want to sow organic seeds directly into the earth. What better way to start than by exploring your favorite local plant nursery, The Home Depot Lakeland Garden Center?

Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing to learn when planting veggies, spring flowers, and other seeds is your planting zone. Every location in the U.S. and its territories is sorted into blocks by climate. Find your zone on the USDA growing zone map and learn when to plant seeds.

For example, you could transplant bell peppers outdoors in mid-March in Zone 10, but not until the end of May in Zone 4. The plants that'll thrive in your area are in your zone — plus all the zones numbered less than that. In other words, a Zone 7 garden can support plants listed as Zones 1–7. The timeframe to direct sow outdoors in your garden is often around a month later than the indoor start date. Always read your seed packet for details. If you start them later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it should even out as time passes.

Gardening in Your Growing Zone
In the areas of Zones 9 and 10 stretching across the Southeast, you can begin planning and planting indoors early in the year. Your odds of frost are low in this part of the country, but not zero. Watch out for cold snaps and cover any sprouts or early-riser bulb plants during cold times.

Growing season begins early and ends late in this part of the country. A wide variety of flowers, vegetables, and plants thrive in Florida and southern Georgia. You can even grow citrus trees for fresh fruit when you plant somewhere with good soil drainage. You'll have excellent results with peppers of all heat levels and colors, including bell peppers, jalapeños, and more. Zucchini, cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins, which are direct sow only, will flourish. Tomato plants will yield thriving fruit and leaves, as they're tropical in origin and are happiest in the heat.

Start Seeds Indoors
Save money when you grow your garden from seeds by starting them indoors in your own seedling garden. We've got all the seed starter supplies you'll need. For best results, you'll want grow lights or a warming mat to go with your seed tray or planter pots. If you're planting a larger garden, use seed trays — like the ones you see sprouts in at your Lakeland Garden Center — to stay organized and plant tiny soil plugs when the time comes. You can also use pots with seed starter mix and potting soil.

Measure your finger to use it as a ruler. In general, you'll plant 3–5 seeds, then press them into the soil to the depth you need with your finger. Mark where you planted the seeds with a toothpick or plant tag. That way, you'll know where your seeds should pop up. Otherwise, it'll be a surprise when the sprouts push out of the soil.

Sprouts
Prepare your seed sprouts for outdoor life while they're still indoors. These micro-seedlings are fragile — only an inch or so high, with the tiniest seedling leaf or two — but they're resilient. Seedlings don't get all this pampering in nature when they volunteer and grow wherever, so they can handle more than you think. However, don't go overboard, as your sprouts are still babies. You can even use an oscillating floor fan on low to mimic the wind and strengthen their stems.

Harden Your Seedlings
Remember to harden your seedlings for strong plants. On days above 45 degrees, take your trays or pots of seedlings outside to slowly warm in the shade for two hours, but bring them inside at night. Cloudy days are fine, but no harsh nighttime chills or direct sunlight yet. After a week or more of this, you can leave them out overnight if the temps stay above 50 degrees. Cover your plants if they're in the ground when a late-season frost sneaks back in.

Transplant Young Plants Into Their New Homes
Carefully take your seedling out of the container. A good way to do this is to turn it sideways or upside-down and gently squeeze the plastic to break the seal. If your transplant grew in the garden, dig deeper than you think with your garden trowel and leave plenty of room around the stem. You don't want to damage the roots. Place it into the hole you dug for it, even with the surrounding soil.

Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish it off with mulch and compost. Mulch keeps your soil moist and controls weeds. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster stronger plants that bear more fruit and flowers. Compost and mulch can be DIY creations, but you can also purchase them in-store. The next time you're looking for "mulch near me," stop by the Garden Center to get the perfect amount.

Greet the Spring
Don't miss a minute of growing season. Prepare to fertilize your lawn, plan your garden and landscaping, and browse The Home Depot nursery to find inspiration on which spring flowers to plant when the weather warms. For those without lawns, consider adding artificial grass or a pellet grill to your outdoor space. Shop for the seeds, soil, and fertilizer you need in the aisles of your Lakeland Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.

Nearby Stores

Find Another Store

6335 S Florida Ave

Lakeland, FL 33813

8.83 mi

Rental Center

(863)619-2403

Pro Service Desk

(863)619-2404

Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm

Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm

2000 8th St Nw

Winter Haven, FL 33881

14.15 mi

Rental Center

(863)292-4208

Pro Service Desk

(863)292-4202

Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 9:00pm

Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm

32715 Eiland Blvd

Zephyrhills, FL 33545

20.00 mi

Rental Center

(813)783-6208

Pro Service Desk

(813)783-6202

Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm

Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm