#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(773)395-5894
Tool & Truck Rental(773)395-5862
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside: 09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
1232 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
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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 can I get rid of weeds?

Weeds might start peeking through in the garden beds, even if you put down landscape fabric liner or mulch to keep them at bay. Pull out weeds from the root in edible flower or vegetable gardens, and dig up the roots if the weed snapped off without them. Be sure to get rid of weeds before they go to seed. 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 it doesn't touch your lungs or skin.

Is my grass dead?

It could be, but it's also likely just taking a nap 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 can easily pull out a blade of grass with no resistance, it's time to plant new seed or sod 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.

When's the best time to water my plants?

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, grass, and veggies. Whenever you water, give all the plants a thorough drink, and don't skip it 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 liquid lawn fertilizer.

What are some tips to keep my garden healthy?

Once you've planted your flowers or plants, make sure they're hydrated and well-fed. 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 the plants you're growing, whether you need a flower fertilizer, fertilizer for veggie plants, fruit tree fertilizer, or a general garden fertilizer blend. Only apply as often as instructed 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 beneath a patio umbrella or covered gazebo. If you have sturdy structures like a house or shed, create shade by attaching shade 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 turn a stifling afternoon into a refreshingly relaxing day. Go back to lounging in the sun when that water-cooled air is ready.

What do I need for backyard entertaining?

Backyard entertaining is whatever you find enjoyable — it doesn't have to be a garden party. If you're focused on firing up the grill, make sure you know how to clean a grill afterward. Many people simply relax outdoors and chat all day or maybe cook a meal in an outdoor kitchen instead. However you bond with friends, you can extend the fun into the evening with proper outdoor lighting and a bug-free summer yard without pesky mosquitos.

The Home Depot Garden Center at North Avenue

Shop Our 4th of July Sale
Welcome Independence Day with the yard of your dreams. Our big 4th of July Sale can help you do it. Tame hedges, lawns, and shrubs faster with new outdoor power equipment. Fresh fertilizer and another round of mulch might be just what you need to perk up your garden. Continue watering regularly to enjoy a stunning summer garden — and maybe even run through the sprinkler yourself. With such a beautiful garden and yard, it's easy to create holiday memories to look back on.

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

As summer rolls in, your landscaping and garden will weather more heat and sun than earlier in the season. You'll need to consider how to keep things cool with proper tending, shade, and irrigation. Just like we can get sunburned, grass and annuals can get scorched, and trees can lose their leaves prematurely. We've got advice to make it through the hotter months.

Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're concerned that your lawn has crispy and brown blades of grass, don't panic. It's possible that you've got a cool season grass that goes dormant and turns brown in the summertime heat. If that's the case, it won't be a patchy brown, but brown all over. Gently pull out a blade of grass to check if it's still got live roots: If it comes right out, the grass is probably dead and will need to be replaced with new grass seed or sod. If it doesn't pull right out, it's dormant. That means it's resting but still growing underground. Dormant grass should be watered deeply once or twice a week — if it doesn't rain — but not fertilized.

Warm-season grass stays green in the summer. If you have this kind of lawn, water it deeply once a week. Give it another drink every day or two, depending on your weather. Make sure not to overwater, and let the lawn dry out after heavy rains before you get out the hose or sprinkler again. Water your lawn 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 extreme hot spells or drought. It's ok to let the grass 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
Much of your garden's upkeep comes down to balancing water and sun, as outlined in these garden watering tips. You'll need both to keep trees growing and spirits high with summer flowering. A general rule when watering flowers and plants is to aim the water at the roots. A sprinkler or sprinkler system, garden hose, or drip irrigation system can get the job done. You don't need to water or even mist the blossoms themselves. Many flowers droop and wilt when but recover when they dry. Succulents are an 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. 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 necessary 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 and watch them climb. Support the stem itself, as well as the junctions right below where the branches grow off the stem. This is so the weight of the plant doesn't snap the branches or stem.

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

Trees as Natural Shade
Trees are a natural source of shade, They can change the look of your yard. Whether you plant a few trees as accents, a few more to bear fruit, or a whole mini-forest, remember this is a long-term commitment. Trees live many decades when they're healthy. Before you shop, read up on 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. Think about how far the roots extend outward, the full-grown size of the trees you want, and how deep the taproots go. Plant your trees far from water pipes, as their strong roots will seek water and wend into piping to get it. A tree with a full canopy of leaves catches wind like a sail, so make sure it's planted a safe distance from your home. If you've planned accordingly, found trees you love, and know the perfect places to put them, get planting. That way, you can enjoy the leaves rustling in the breeze and dappled shade sooner rather than later.

Find Your Summertime Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes grilling, relaxing, gardening, or starting 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 North Avenue store.

Nearby Stores

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2665 N Halsted

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Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm

2570 N Elston Ave

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Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm

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Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm

Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm