)
)
/17_514245_S_012_Product%20Image%20(square).jpg?im=Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
)
)
)
/2023_P2_Rain_Barrels_Product%20Image%20(square).jpg?im=Resize=(300,300))
)
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
/12_SOIL_B_0420_Social%20media%20(square).jpg?im=Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
/18Patio_Camden_Seagrass_5pcSeating_Planters_302468736_DTL3_L_Social%20media%20(square).jpg?im=Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
;Resize=(300,300))
)
.jpeg?im=Crop,rect=(363.69230769230774,1.2307692307692308,958.7692307692308,958.7692307692308);Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
;Resize=(300,300))
)
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
;Resize=(300,300))
)
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
/Capello_Spring_Mum_10in_Social%20media%20(square).jpg?im=Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
;Resize=(300,300))
)
)
;Resize=(300,300))
;Resize=(300,300))
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
8650 Dempster St
Niles, IL 60714
Popular at Your Garden Center
0/0
Trending Garden Supplies in May
0/0
Trending Live Plants
0/0
Garden Project Calculators
;Resize=(703,395.44))
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.
;Resize=(703,395.44))
Mulch Calculator
Enter your preferred material, the square footage and mulch depth of the coverage space for accurate results.
;Resize=(703,395.44))
Fencing Calculator
We'll calculate the amount of fencing you should purchase based on your property needs.
Shop Outdoor and Garden Brands
Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening
What's my planting zone?
Check the USDA plant hardiness zone map, as planting zones have shifted slightly through 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.
What does direct sow mean?
If the soil isn't cold and frozen, consider planting your fruit, veggie, 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 packet for how and when to sow seeds.
Do you carry organic plants and seeds?
We offer many organic gardening options, including organic veggie seeds and fruit 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.
What should I check before planting transplants or seeds outside?
Before you plant, make sure that the soil is healthy, your plant will have the right amount of sun, and it's warm enough outside. 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 for best results so your plant babies have room to grow big and strong.
Should I use peat moss starters or coir starters?
Seed starters, full of nutrients in convenient pots or pellets, 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 cucumbers and eggplant, as well as flowers that need acidic soil. 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.
The Home Depot Garden Center at West Niles
Set Up For Springtime
It's time to start thinking of spring. Sweep the gazebo and clean out the shed to prepare for fragrant breezes, warmer temperatures, and sprouts poking up out of the ground. Planting seeds indoors with grow lights means you'll be ready to transplant young veggie plants and spring annuals when the ground thaws and the frosts are through. You might even want to plant seeds directly into the earth. What better way to start than by exploring your favorite local plant nursery, The Home Depot Garden Center in West Niles?
Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing to know when planting spring flowers, veggies, 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 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. Be sure to 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 cruciferous veggies and certain herbs if you're ready to get planting. This includes broccoli, kale, and cabbage. 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 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 planter pots. If you're planting a larger garden, use seed trays — like the ones you see sprouts in at your West Niles Garden Center — to stay organized and plant tiny soil plugs when the time comes. You can also use pots with potting soil and seed starter mix.
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 floor fan on low to mimic the wind and strengthen their stems.
Harden Your Seedlings
When you're hardening your sprouts and gradually introducing them to the outdoors, be flexible. Keep an eye on your baby plants. Bring them inside or move them to a shady spot if they're looking rough. As always, make sure they're watered just enough, but not too much. Whisk wilted plants inside and give them a good drink, making sure they're healthy before setting them outdoors again.
Transplant Young Plants Into Their New Homes
Place your transplants in the ground, then give them a generous drink without overwatering. Surround them with mulch, marking where the plant is with a tag so you can easily find it among the grass clippings, old leaves, or straw. Consider putting up chicken wire or other protective measures if deer or rodents visit your yard regularly, as your sprouts may otherwise become a snack.
Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish it all off with mulch and compost. Mulch controls weeds and keeps your soil from drying out. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster larger plants that bear more flowers and fruit. Mulch and compost 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
Early spring is an exciting time in the world of gardening. Plan your garden and landscaping, prepare to fertilize your lawn, 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 or a pellet grill to your outdoor space. Shop for the soil, seeds, and fertilizer you need in the aisles of your West Niles Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.
Nearby Stores
Find Another Store
901 Civic Center Dr
Niles, IL 60714
2.46 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
2850 Patriot Blvd
Glenview, IL 60026
4.70 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
350 E Kensington Rd
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
5.40 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
