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09:00am - 6:00pm
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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.
How do I check my planting zone?
Check the USDA growing zone map, as planting zones have shifted over the years. Planting zones with higher numbers can plant earlier in the year. Increase your odds of successful gardening by choosing plants that are meant for your zone.
When can I plant seeds in my garden?
If the ground isn't frozen solid and the soil isn't cold, consider planting your veggie, flower, 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 sprouts and seedlings 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.
How do I plant flower seeds?
Follow the directions on your seed package. It'll tell you when to start them indoors and when to direct sow. Generally, you'll add three to five seeds per planting hole, then press them into the soil as directed. Mark where you planted them with a toothpick, flag, or twig so you don't mistake them for weeds later.
Do I have to harden off my seedlings before planting them outside?
Yes, 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 the great outdoors. 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 information.
How do I prepare for planting transplants or seeds outside?
Before you plant, make sure that your plant will have the right amount of sun, it's warm enough outside, and the soil is healthy. Check your seed envelope to see if it likes partial sun, full sun, or shade, as well as what time of year it should be planted. Space your plants as described on the seed packet for best results so your plant babies have room to flourish.
What are seed tapes?
If you want more guidance in planting or are dealing with extremely tiny seeds, 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, you'll have perfectly spaced sprouts pop up soon.
Set Up For Springtime
On beautiful spring days, tidy the yard before everything blooms in earnest. Remember to measure your garden so you can find fresh mulch near you as soon as it's available. Don't forget to sweep the gazebo and clean out the shed in preparation for spring, too. No matter what outdoor projects you choose to tackle and which plants you need, you'll find that The Garden Center in Midlothian is the local plant nursery to help you enjoy your spring activities to the fullest.
Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing you should know when planting spring flowers, veggies, 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 planting 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 9 garden can support plants listed as Zones 1–9. 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 seeds a little later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it will even out as time passes.
Gardening in Your Growing Zone
Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee are in Zones 6–8. Cruciferous veggies and certain herbs are ready to grow when you're ready to plant. This includes cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Greens like spinach and artichokes, early-blooming annuals like marigolds, and fragrant herbs, including oregano, basil, and parsley, also don't mind an early beginning. Even in the highest peaks of West Virginia in Zone 5b, traditional garden vegetables like peppers of all kinds, cucumbers, and tomatoes are fine with an early spring or late winter start indoors under the grow lights.
Look up the date of your last predicted frost, then count backward 6 to 8 weeks. That's the time you should sow your seeds indoors. The idea is to have strong baby plants that are ready for transplant at the same time the ground is warm enough. Do your best and enjoy the process — watching your plants grow, bloom, and put out tiny veggies that'll grow to harvest size is part of the fun.
Plant Seeds Outside With Direct Sow
Planting seeds into your garden soil, or using the direct sow method, is an alternative option. There's less planning and tending than growing indoors. If you like to go with the flow, follow the instructions on your seed pack and try it.
Your seeds might struggle to grow or get washed away, or critters or bugs might eat the sprouts. But if you're really fortunate, you might get a strong sprout from each place you sowed seeds, perfectly spaced and ready to grow all spring. The reality of your garden will usually be somewhere in between, and spreading out tiny sprouts throughout the soil isn't so bad. You know those sprouts are hardy, although there are no guarantees in the long term.
Start Seeds Indoors
If you'd like more control over your seedlings' journey or you're eager to get growing, start your seeds indoors in your own seedling garden. In general, you can plant seeds indoors about a month before you can do it outside. Like direct sow, you push the seeds into the soil as directed on the seed packet, but that's where the similarities end.
You're responsible for giving them quality substitutes for rain and sunlight. Keep your seeds cozy with warming mats and grow lights, water them carefully with a mister or watering can, then thin them as they germinate in groups of three. Give them a boost with a gently blowing fan as they lengthen into sprouts if you'd like. Harden them off to get them used to outdoor conditions, then transplant them into your garden when they're big enough.
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 big sprouts 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 direct sowed, you may still want to shuffle plants around for the best spacing and sun. That's also a transplant situation, as is repotting plants into larger pots.
Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish off your garden with mulch and compost. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster larger plants that bear more fruit and flowers. Mulch keeps your soil moist and controls weeds. 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 perfect amount.
Greet the Spring
Late winter into 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 which spring flowers to plant when the weather warms. For those without lawns, consider adding an outdoor rug, artificial grass, or a pellet grill to your balcony or patio. Shop for the fertilizer, seeds, and soil you need in the aisles of your Midlothian Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.
12300 Chattanooga Plaza
Midlothian, VA 23112
5.63 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
6501 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230
7.72 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
11260 W Broad St
Glen Allen, VA 23060
9.77 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm