
Store Hours
Mon-Sat:
6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun:
8:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside:
09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
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.
Enter your preferred material, the square footage and mulch depth of the coverage space for accurate results.
We'll calculate the amount of fencing you should purchase based on your property needs.
What's my planting zone?
Check the USDA plant hardiness zone map, as planting zones have shifted over the years. Planting zones with higher numbers can plant earlier in the year. Choose plants that are meant for your zone and increase your odds of successful gardening.
What does direct sowing mean?
If the soil isn't cold and frozen, consider planting your veggie, fruit, or flower 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 when and how to sow seeds.
Do you carry organic seeds and plants?
Yes, we've got a variety of organic options, including organic fruit seeds and veggie seeds, as well as organic flower and herb seeds that are subject to availability. We carry the organic soil to plant them in as well as the organic fertilizer to feed your plants.
Should I 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, spring rains, and temperature swings. 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. Speak to a garden center associate or read your seed packets for more info on caring for your tender seedlings.
How do I plant a transplant or baby plant?
Squeeze the plastic around the plant to loosen the soil. Carefully coax the plug of dirt with the plant into your palm, then place it into the hole you dug for it. Make sure the top of your transplant's soil is even with the garden soil, and carefully press the earth into place. Avoid leaving the plant as an island with a moat around it, and don't tamp down the ground too tightly. Your plant baby needs to breathe.
Should I use peat moss starters or coir starters?
Seed starters, full of nutrients in convenient pellets or pots, work for new and experienced gardeners. You don't have to use these starters if you're planting in soil, but you may want to. Starting seeds in peat pots works best for delicately rooted plants like carrots and beets, as well as flowers that require an acidic pH. Some people prefer coir starters instead, as they have a neutral pH. Check what type of soil your plants need to help narrow it down, and chat with a garden center associate if you need more info.
Set Up For Springtime
On beautiful spring days, tidy the yard before everything blooms in earnest. Many people feel inspired to refresh their outdoor space for entertaining as well. Don't forget to sweep out the gazebo and clean the shed in preparation for spring, too. No matter which plants you need and what outdoor projects you choose to tackle, you'll find that The Home Depot Garden Center in Live Oak is the local plant nursery to help you enjoy your spring activities to the fullest.
Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing to learn when planting vegetables, spring flowers, and other seeds is your planting zone. Every location in the U.S. and its territories is sorted by climate. Find your zone on the USDA plant hardiness zone map and learn when to plant seeds.
For example, you could plant bell pepper seedlings outdoors in mid-March in Zone 10, but not until the end of May in Zone 4. You'll have good results with plants that have your zone number or less. In other words, a Zone 7 garden can support plants listed as Zones 1–7. You can plant seeds indoors roughly a month before you can plant them outside, known as direct sow. Be sure to read your seed packet for details. If you start them later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it will likely even out as time passes.
Gardening in Your Growing Zone
Growing season starts early and ends late in this part of the country. The weather and climate make it easy to get and keep a beautiful garden going. A wide variety of flowers, vegetables, and plants thrive in the Gulf region. 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 colors and heat levels, including jalapeños, bell peppers, and more. Cucumbers, zucchini, squash, and pumpkins, which are direct sow only, will flourish. Tomato plants will yield thriving leaves and fruit, as they're tropical in origin and love the heat.
In balmy Zones 9 and 10, you can begin planning and planting indoors in January if you’d like. Zone 8 generally has a slightly later recommendation for indoor starts. Cruciferous veggies and garden favorites, like peppers, do well when started inside your home. Greens like spinach, artichokes, and fragrant herbs, including parsley, basil, and oregano, also don't mind an early beginning.
You can sow spring flower seeds and watch them mature under the grow lights, too. In this part of the country, last year's garden might still be growing if there was no reason to put it to bed — especially if it's close to the house or in a greenhouse. In that case, tend it as usual. Whatever you choose to grow, transplant them when the threat of frost is gone for the season.
Start Seeds Indoors
You can save money and gain the satisfaction of growing your garden from seeds by starting them indoors in your own plant nursery. We've got all the seed starter supplies you'll need. For best results, you'll want warming lights or a warming mat to go with your seed tray or plant pots. If you're planting a larger garden, use seed trays — like the ones you see sprouts in at your Live Oak 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 plant tag or toothpick. 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
When your seeds have sprouted but aren't ready to go outside yet, you can still prepare them for outdoor life. These inch-tall micro-seedlings are fragile but resilient. Seedlings don't get all this pampering in nature, 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 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 direct sunlight or harsh nighttime chills 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
You've raised your baby plants from seeds, watched them sprout, and carefully hardened them off to brave Mother Nature. By now, your plants have 3 or 4 real leaves — they'll look different from the miniature seedling leaves. When you're not expecting soaking rain, and the ground is warm, look into transplanting your small plants into their new outdoor home. These large seedlings that are ready to be planted can also be called "transplants" or sometimes "starts." In cases where you directly planted into the ground, you may still want to shuffle plants around for the best sun and spacing. That's also a transplant situation, as is repotting plants into larger pots.
Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish your planting by following it with compost and mulch. Mulch keeps your soil from drying out and controls weeds. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster stronger and larger plants that bear more fruit and flowers. Mulch and compost can be purchased in-store or created at home. The next time you're looking for "mulch near me," stop by the Garden Center to get the right amount.
Greet the Spring
Early spring is an exciting time in the world of gardening. Prepare to fertilize your lawn, plan your garden and landscaping, and browse The Home Depot nursery to find inspiration on what to plant when the weather warms. For those without lawns, consider adding artificial grass, a pellet grill, or an outdoor rug to your balcony or patio. Shop for the soil, seeds, and fertilizer you need in the aisles of your Live Oak Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.
4909 Windsor Hill
San Antonio, TX 78239
5.41 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
20740 Us Hwy 281 North
San Antonio, TX 78258
8.98 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
1066 Central Pkwy S
San Antonio, TX 78232
9.07 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm