#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(309)862-1262
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 9:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside: 09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
795 Veterans Parkway
Normal, IL 61761
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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

How do I treat weeds?

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

Is crispy grass dead?

It could be, but it's also likely napping during those soaring summer temps. Cool-season grass goes dormant in the summer. It turns crispy and brown but isn't usually dead. Here's how you can check to see if it's dormant: If you tug on a grass blade and it pulls right out, it's time to plant new sod or seed because the grass is a goner. Water dormant lawns deeply once every week. Warm-season grass needs water every few days in the summer. It should stay green if it's healthy.

Why should I use vertical gardening at home?

As the plants and veggies grow, keeping your harvest healthy is easier. You can see evidence of wildlife or other pests eating your produce and act accordingly. When your fruits and vegetables are ready to pick, you'll see them immediately, so you can enjoy them at peak freshness. If these same plants grow along the ground, you may miss your first harvest under the shadowy leaves. Supporting the plants as they grow upright means your upkeep will be less overwhelming when they're huge at the end of summer.

When do I fertilize my plants?

Once you've planted your flowers or plants, you'll need to make sure they're 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 your plants, whether you need a flower fertilizer, veggie fertilizer, tomato fertilizer, or a general garden fertilizer blend. Only apply as often as recommended on the packaging. More is not better here. Be sure to water immediately after, as directed, so the fertilizer won't burn the plants.

How can I create shade?

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, make your own shade by attaching sun sails and awnings. However, sometimes shade isn't enough because it's extremely 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 weather makes the season even more special. But you don't need to do a full patio 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 string lights, or even an outdoor rug can breathe new life into a backyard.

The Home Depot Garden Center at Normal

Shop Our 4th of July Sale
Bring on Independence Day with a yard that's dressed to impress. Our huge 4th of July Sale can help you get it done. Let your great outdoors help you enjoy the festivities with your family and friends. Set up new patio furniture to give everyone room to relax in the sun or shade. That grill you've been wanting can help you keep everyone fed and happy. Save now and use these outdoor living favorites for years of future cookouts.

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 sun and heat than earlier in the year. That means you'll want to consider how to keep things cool with irrigation, shade, and proper tending. Just like we can get sunburned, grass can get scorched and trees can lose their leaves prematurely. Let us help. At the Garden Center in Normal, we've got what you need to make it through the hotter months.

Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're concerned that your lawn has dried out blades of grass, don't panic. It's possible that you've got a cool season grass that's going to go dormant and turn brown in the summertime heat. If that's the case, it'll be brown, but not in patches. Gently tug out a blade of grass to check the roots: If it comes right out, the grass is probably dead and you'll need to replace it. If the blade of grass doesn't come right out, it's dormant. That means it's growing and resting beneath the surface. Water dormant grass deeply once or twice every week, but avoid fertilizer.

For warm-season grass that stays green in the summer, water a bit every few days and deeply once a week. The amount of water should add up to about an inch per week. Avoid overwatering, and let the lawn dry out after heavy rains before you get out the garden hose or sprinkler again. Water your yard when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. You can check with your finger. This might happen quicker than you'd think during heat waves. It's ok to let it grow a little taller this time of the year, as cutting it too short isn't healthy for this kind of lawn.

Watch Your Garden Thrive
Summertime garden upkeep comes down to balancing water and sunlight, as outlined in these garden watering tips. You'll need both to keep your trees growing and spirits high with summer flowering. A general rule when watering plants is to aim the water at the roots. A garden hose, drip irrigation system, or sprinkler can get the job done. You don't need to water or even mist the blooms themselves. Many flowers wilt and droop when they get but recover once they dry. Succulents are the exception to basic watering rules, so look up your specific types of succulents to optimize their care.

In addition to watering, keep an eye on your plants' nutrient intake. Use fertilizer as recommended. We've even got fertilizers to match the plants you're growing so they'll absorb the necessary nutrients.

Grow Your Own Herbs
For savory flavors to accent your homegrown produce, add herbs. They're generally low-maintenance and grow easily in pots, both indoors and outdoors. If you grow herbs outdoors, stick to heat-loving herbs that'll endure the summer temperatures, and consider a hanging herb garden.

Planting herbs in the ground can be tricky, as many of them — especially mint — are invasive and will take over your yard. So grow them in small decorative pots on a sunny porch, window sill, or even in wall planters. Herbs also work well in a hydroponic garden, which means they don't grow in soil. Instead, they grow in a mix of rock chips, sand, or perlite.

Trees as Natural Shade
Trees are the ultimate natural source of shade, and they can change the look of your yard. Whether you plant a few trees or a small forest, remember this is a long-term commitment. When they're healthy, trees live many decades — and some for hundreds of years. Before you shop, plan so you know how to plant a tree, whether they're evergreens, deciduous tree saplings, or more mature trees.

A house framed by beautiful trees can seem picture-perfect, but research the specific trees you want before planting them. Consider how deep the taproots go, how far the root ball extends outward, and the full-grown size of the trees you want. Trees will always find the most accessible source of water, so be sure to plant them away from your water pipes to avoid roots growing into them. As majestic as trees are, it's important to also consider how and where they'd fall if disease or a major storm weakened them. If you've planned accordingly, found trees you love, and know the perfect places to put them, get planting. That way, you can enjoy natural shade and the soothing sound of leaves rustling in the breeze sooner rather than later.

Find Your Summertime Garden Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes relaxing, gardening, grilling, or completing outdoor DIY projects, we've got the supplies you need to keep your days flowing with ease. 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 mobile app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your Normal store.

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