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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.
What number planting zone am I in?
Check the USDA planting zone map, as planting zones have changed slightly 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 soil isn't cold and frozen, consider planting your fruit, flower, or vegetable 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 instructions on your seed packet. 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 at the correct depth. Mark where you buried the seeds with a wooden craft stick, twig, or flag so you don't accidentally confuse them with weeds later.
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 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 prep for planting seeds or transplants outside?
Before you plant, make sure that the soil is healthy, it's warm enough outside, and your plant will have the right amount of sun. Check your seed package to see if it likes full sun, partial sun, or shade, as well as what time of year it should be planted. Space your plants as described on the seed package for best results so your plant babies have room to grow big and strong.
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, your perfectly spaced sprouts will pop up soon.
Celebrate Springtime Gardening
It's time to start thinking of spring. Sweep out the gazebo and clean the shed to prepare for warmer temperatures, fragrant breezes, and sprouts poking up out of the ground. Planting seeds indoors with grow lights means you'll be ready to transplant spring annuals 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 Zanesville Garden Center?
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 into blocks 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. For best results, choose plants in 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 seeds a little later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it will even out as time passes.
Gardening in Your Growing Zone
The Midwest is mostly Zones 6 and 7 throughout Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky. You’ll find pockets of Zone 5 and stretches of Zone 4 in the Upper Peninsula. In Zones 5 and 6, the outdoor growing season doesn’t begin here until mid-March or even April, although you can plant some veggie seeds halfway through February. Warmer Zone 7 can start planting earlier, and Zone 4 much later on. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and other classic garden crops will thrive in this region, and most of them can get an early jump on growing indoors before spring really moves in.
Also, check out cruciferous veggies and certain herbs if you're ready to get planting. This includes kale, broccoli, and cabbage. Greens like spinach, artichokes, and fragrant herbs, including parsley, basil, and oregano, also don't mind an early start. 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
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 plant pots. If you're planting a larger garden, use seed trays — like the ones you see sprouts in at your Zanesville 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
When your seeds have sprouted but aren't ready to go outside yet, you can still prepare them for outdoor life. These micro-seedlings are fragile — only an inch or so high, with the tiniest seedling leaf or two — but they're resilient. Seedlings certainly 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
Be sure to harden off your seedlings once they're a few inches tall. This is a process of gradually introducing them to the outdoors, making them stronger in the long run. Hardening means you're less likely to lose your growing garden during a sudden cold snap.
Transplant Young Plants Into Their New Homes
Place your transplants in the ground, then water them well. Blanket the surrounding ground with mulch, marking where the plant is with a stick so you can easily find it among the grass clippings, old leaves, or straw. If your yard is regularly visited by rodents or deer, consider putting up chicken wire or other protective measures so your plants and veggies are less likely to get eaten before they thrive.
Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish it all off 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 larger and stronger 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 right amount.
Greet the Spring
Late winter into 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, a pellet grill, or an outdoor rug to your patio or balcony. Shop for the soil, seeds, and fertilizer you need in the aisles of your Zanesville Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.
1330 N 21st Street
Newark, OH 43055
21.69 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
2480 Brice Rd
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
42.34 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
6035 Gender Road
Canal Winchester, OH 43110
43.34 mi
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm