#1 Home Improvement Retailer

Do you have what you need to make your garden grow?

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Explore Your Local Garden Center at a Home Depot Near You. Get inspired to upgrade your plants and landscaping.

Garden Center

Contact Us
Pro Service Desk(989)366-3104
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 9:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside: 09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
2241 W Houghton Lake Dr
Houghton Lake, MI 48629
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Garden Project Calculators

Grass Seed Calculator

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.

Mulch Calculator

Mulch Calculator

Enter your preferred material, the square footage and mulch depth of the coverage space for accurate results.

Fencing Calculator

Fencing Calculator

We'll calculate the amount of fencing you should purchase based on your property needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening

What can I do about weeds?

Weeds might start peeking through in the garden beds, even if you put down landscape fabric liner to keep them at bay. Be sure to get rid of weeds before the weeds' flowers dry out and and drop their seeds. Pull weeds from the root in edible gardens, and dig up the roots if the weed snapped off without them. If you'd like to treat weeds with weed killer, check that it's safe for bees, other pollinators, and pets — and wear a respirator and heavy rubber gloves to ensure that it doesn't touch your lungs or skin.

Is my grass dead?

It could be, but it's also likely napping during those soaring temps. Cool-season grass goes dormant in the summer, so it's alive but sleeping. Here's how you can check: If you tug on a grass blade and it pulls right out, it's time to plant new grass seed or sod because the grass is a goner. Water dormant lawns deeply and infrequently. Warm-season grass needs water every few days in the summer. It should stay green if it's healthy.

When's the best time to water my garden?

If you can water during the early morning or in the evening, that's ideal. Watering during the heat of the day means a lot of the moisture will evaporate. This applies to whatever you're growing: plants, bushes, veggies, and grass. Whenever you water, give all the plants a thorough drink, and don't skip it just because it's not the best time. The plants still need hydration regardless of the time on the clock. Depending on your climate, grass type, and lawn health, you may also want to look into applying a lawn fertilizer.

When do I fertilize my veggie plants?

Once you've planted your flowers or plants, make sure they stay well-fed and hydrated. Choose a synthetic or an organic fertilizer that fits your needs and give your garden a boost. You can even find one that's formulated for whatever you're growing, whether you need a flower fertilizer, fertilizer for vegetable plants, or a general garden fertilizer blend. Only apply as often as suggested on the packaging. Be sure to water immediately after, as directed, so the fertilizer won't burn the plants.

Do patio misters cool the air?

When you need a break from working in the yard, shelter under a patio umbrella or covered gazebo. If you have sturdy structures like a house or shed, create shade by attaching awnings and shade sails. However, sometimes shade isn't enough because it's just too humid. That's when a patio mister or misting fan can help cool the air and make a stifling afternoon into a relaxing day. Go back to enjoying the sun when that water-cooled air is ready.

How can I create an outdoor oasis for entertaining?

Spending time with friends in gorgeous summertime weather makes the season even more special. But you don't need a full backyard makeover or to create your patio collection from scratch to do it. Even a minor backyard refresh can make a big difference. New outdoor lounge furniture, outdoor rugs, or even outdoor string lights can bring character to a backyard oasis.

The Home Depot Garden Center at Houghton Lake

The Home Depot 4th of July Sale
Welcome Independence Day with the yard of your dreams. Our big 4th of July Sale can help you get it done. Tame shrubs, bushes, and lawns faster with new outdoor power equipment. Another round of mulch or fertilizer might be just what your garden needs. Continue watering to enjoy a stunning summer garden — and maybe even run through the sprinkler yourself. With such a beautiful yard and garden, it's easy to create holiday memories to look back on.

Family enjoying a grilled dinner on a gently lit patio at dusk

As the calendar turns to summer, your garden and landscaping will weather more heat and sun than earlier in the season. That means you'll need to consider how to keep things cool with proper tending and irrigation. You might also need ways to beat the heat. We've got advice to make it through the hotter months.

Keep Your Garden Tidy
As the weeks tick by, the grass or sod you planted will grow taller than what's ideal. Eventually, it'll need some maintenance to look fresh and manicured. Keep the lawn in check with a push lawn mower and a string trimmer to knock down any tall grass around sidewalks, fences, or buildings.

Trees, bushes, and shrubs climb toward the sun and lose their shape over time. In the summer, they'll be growing fast, filled with buds and blooms before you know it. Prune them back to a more manicured state with the best hedge trimmers for your shrubs. It's best to leave major tree maintenance and tree topping to the pros, but you may want to use a pole saw for minor trims and a chainsaw to shape bushes and small trees.

Watch Your Garden Thrive
You'll need to water your garden to keep it alive between rainstorms and keep the summer flowering humming along. A general rule when watering plants is to aim the water at the roots. A sprinkler or sprinkler system, drip irrigation system, or garden hose will work well. The blooms themselves don't need to be watered or even misted. Many flowers droop when but recover when they dry off. Succulents are an exception to basic watering rules, so look up your specific types of succulents to optimize their care.

In addition to watering them regularly, keep an eye on your plants' nutrient intake. Apply fertilizer as recommended. We've even got fertilizers to match the plants you're growing so they'll enjoy a balanced diet with the proper nutrients.

Vertical Edible Gardening
If you like to grow your own food, take it vertical and consider growing organically. Many vegetable plants are vines and well-suited to climb a fence or trellis, so plant them next to one. Support the stem itself, as well as the junctions just below where the branches grow off the stem. This is so the weight of the plant doesn't snap the branches or stem.

Fasten the plant to a tomato cage or pole with twine, plant ties and wires, garden wire, or fabric strips. Be sure to attach each plant loosely. Then the leaves and branches can sway in the breeze and the stem has room to grow wider. Strawberries, watermelon, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes need support as they bear fruit. Squash and melons require hammocks made of stretchy fabric, string, old nylons, or a sling to support the heavy produce. All of these plants take up less space on the ground this way, which allows you to have walking room in between plants or fit even more of them.

Vines as Decorative Shade
Plant vines to climb a trellis or arched arbor to provide both beauty and shade. Vine plants that are native to your area are a good choice for success and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Grape vines are a classic choice, but they take time to mature, so you'll enjoy dappled shade but no grapes for a few years. Remember to match your vine plants to how much sunlight you receive, as some like full sun and others don't. As a bonus, many vines put out sweet-smelling flowers, so you can enjoy a delightful fragrance as you cool off in the shade.

Find Your Summertime Garden Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes relaxing, grilling, gardening, or finishing your outdoor DIY projects, we've got you covered. Make the most of these lengthy evenings and early mornings to enjoy all the season has to offer. Shop online at your leisure, on our app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your Houghton Lake store.

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