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Do you have what you need to make your garden grow?
Explore Your Local Garden Center at a Home Depot Near You.
Get inspired to upgrade your plants and landscaping.
Garden Center
Store Hours
Mon-Sat:
6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun:
7:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside:
09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
440 Randall Road
South Elgin, IL 60177
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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.
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Mulch Calculator
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Fencing Calculator
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening
What planting zone am I in?
Check the USDA growing 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.
Is it ok to plant seeds outside?
If the ground isn't frozen solid and the soil isn't cold, consider planting your veggie, fruit, or flower seeds directly into your garden. This is called the "direct sow" method. Plant 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 package 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 veggie seeds and fruit seeds, as well as organic herb and flower 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.
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 first before you transplant them. Hardening allows your seedlings to adjust to outdoor life, spring rains, and temperature swings, making them more resilient against cold snaps. It slows their growth until they're strong and ready to take off during a spring warm front.
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 mounding a volcano of dirt around your plant, and don't tamp down the ground too tightly. Your plant baby needs to breathe.
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.
The Home Depot Garden Center at South Elgin
Set Up For Springtime
It's time to start thinking of spring. Clean out the shed and sweep the gazebo to prepare for sprouts poking up, warmer temperatures, and fragrant breezes. Planting seeds indoors with grow lights means you'll be ready to transplant spring flowers and young veggie plants when the frosts are through and the ground thaws. You might even want to plant organic seeds directly into the earth. What better way to start than by exploring your favorite local plant nursery?
Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing to know when planting veggies, 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 growing 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. 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. Read your seed packet for details. If you start plants a little later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it will likely even out as time passes.
Gardening in Your Growing Zone
This area is primarily in Zone 6, with Zone 5 starting in Central Illinois, slightly north of Peoria and Bloomington-Normal. The outdoor growing season doesn't begin here until mid-March or even April, although you can plant some veggie seeds halfway through February. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and other classic garden crops will thrive in this region, and most of them can get an early start indoors before spring really moves in.
Also, check out certain herbs and cruciferous veggies if you're ready to get planting. This includes kale, cabbage, and broccoli. Greens like spinach, artichokes, and fragrant herbs, including basil, parsley, and oregano, also don't mind an early beginning. The main concern is waiting until the frost has passed for the season, so planting seeds outdoors as direct sow is later here compared to farther south.
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. Make sure you have a warm and sunny spot that gets at least 12 hours of light and a spray bottle of water, good soil, and patience. Then you have everything you need to try your hand at growing seeds. Early spring light isn't usually strong enough, so we recommend extra lighting to keep those seeds warm enough to germinate.
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. 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 inch-tall micro-seedlings are fragile but resilient. Seedlings certainly don't get all this pampering in nature when they volunteer and grow wherever they please, 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
Be sure to harden your seedlings for best results when they're grown. On days that are warmer than 45–50 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 warmer than 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. Turn it upside-down or sideways and gently squeeze the plastic to break the seal. If your transplant grew in the garden, leave plenty of room around the stem and dig deeper than you think with your garden trowel. You don't want to damage the root ball. Put the plant in the new hole and make sure it's even with the surrounding soil.
Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish your planting by following it with mulch and compost. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster larger plants that bear more flowers and fruit. Mulch controls weeds and keeps your soil from drying out. 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 right 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 an outdoor rug, artificial grass, or a pellet grill to your patio or balcony. Shop for the fertilizer, seeds, and soil you need in the aisles of your South Elgin Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.
Nearby Stores
Find Another Store
955 N Randall Rd
Elgin, IL 60123
4.67 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
950 Il Rte 59
Bartlett, IL 60103
6.95 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
2111 So Randall Rd
Geneva, IL 60134
8.08 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
