#1 Home Improvement Retailer

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

pro installer with home depot shirt using power drill on wooden furniture
the home depot logo with home services and tag line let us do it for you
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(619)596-2355
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside: 09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
255 Town Ctr Pky
Santee, CA 92071
map pin
map preview

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 are likely poking through in the garden beds, even if you put down mulch or a fabric liner to keep them at bay. Pull out 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 they go to seed. 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 mask and heavy-duty 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 sod or grass seed 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 should I water my yard?

If you can water during the early morning or in the evening, that's ideal. A noon or mid-day watering will evaporate quickly, so come back with an evening watering. This applies to whatever you're growing: grass, veggies, trees, and plants. Give all the plants a thorough drink. The plants still need hydration regardless of the time. Depending on your grass type, lawn's health, and climate, you may also want to look into applying an organic lawn fertilizer.

When do I fertilize my veggie plants?

Once you've planted your flowers or plants, ensure they stay 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 shrub fertilizer, tomato fertilizer, or a 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.

How can I create shade?

When you need a break from gardening in the sun, shelter beneath a patio umbrella or covered gazebo. Add awnings and sun sails to the house or shed to create shady spots. However, sometimes shade isn't enough because it's too 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 enjoying 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 prep your grill for summer for a delicious outcome. Many people simply relax outdoors and chat away the afternoon 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. For best results, learn how to rid your yard of pesky mosquitos, too.

The Home Depot Garden Center at Santee

The Home Depot 4th of July Sale
Bring on the 4th of July with a yard that's dressed to impress. Our big 4th of July Sale can help you get it done. To keep your trees and grass in shape, we carry outdoor power equipment, including lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, and string trimmers. Another round of mulch or fertilizer might be just what your vegetable garden needs. Continue watering regularly to enjoy a stunning summer garden. 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 we stretch into summer, your landscaping and garden will weather more intense heat and UV rays than earlier in the year. That means you'll need to consider how to keep things cool with irrigation and shade. Just like we can get sunburned, grass can get scorched, trees can lose their leaves prematurely, and garden flowers can dry out. We've got guidance to make it through the hotter months with flying colors.

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's going to go dormant and turn brown in the blazing summer sun. If that's the case, it'll be brown, but not in patches. Give a grass blade a gentle tug 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 sod or grass seed. If the blade of grass doesn't come right out, it's dormant. That means it's resting but still alive beneath the surface. Water dormant grass deeply once or twice each 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, more or less, per week. Be careful not to overwater, and let the lawn dry out after heavy rains before you get out the sprinkler or hose again. If it's especially hot out, water when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. 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.

Care for Your Trees and Shrubs
When you're making sure your garden is watered, don't forget about the trees, shrubs, and bushes. They may need less watering than delicate flowers or vegetable plants, but they can still get dry and parched in the summer heat. It's not hard to learn how to water trees — just make sure you aim the water at the roots. It'll help prolong the greenery and keep it from turning yellow.

Also, check for damaged areas on the trees and bushes. Pests can wreak havoc on your greenery if you don't catch them in time. Look for holes in leaves, a network of raised lines on tree bark, or spots on leaves or bark. When your leaves look like lace, something is eating them. Spots may indicate several issues ranging from fungus to bugs. Those scar-like lines on tree bark could mean your tree is infected with borers, an insect that lays eggs inside the bark and then burrows out after it hatches. Any of these issues should be researched and cared for as soon as possible, as a severe case may kill part or all of your bushes or trees.

Vertical Edible Gardening
Grow produce vertically to save space. 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 trellis or pole with twine, plant ties and wires, garden wire, or fabric strips. Be sure to attach each plant loosely. Then the stem has room to grow wider and the leaves and branches can sway in the breeze. Strawberry, cantaloupe, squash, cucumber, and tomato plants need support as they bear fruit. Squash and melons require hammocks made of string, old nylons, a sling, or other stretchy fabric to support the weighty produce. All of these plants take up less space on the ground this way, which allows you to fit even more plants or have walking room in between.

Vines as Decorative Shade
Plant vines near a trellis or arbor so they'll climb the structure and give you both shade and beauty. Vine plants that are native to your area are a good choice for success and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Jasmine, wisteria, and ivy are common options for creating a shady and beautiful archway or pathway. Remember to match your vine plants to how much sun you receive, as some like full sun and others don't. As a bonus, many vines put out sweet-smelling flowers with a delightful fragrance you can enjoy.

Find Your Summertime Lawn Care Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes relaxing, grilling, gardening, or knocking out 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 Home Depot mobile app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your Santee store.

Nearby Stores

Find Another Store

298 Fletcher Parkway

El Cajon, CA 92020

2.46 mi

Tool & Truck Rental

(619)401-0268

Pro Service Desk

(619)401-0262

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

Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm

12175 Tech Center Drive

Poway, CA 92064

7.31 mi

Tool & Truck Rental

(858)668-1408

Pro Service Desk

(858)668-1402

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

Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm

7530 Broadway

Lemon Grove, CA 91945

7.36 mi

Tool & Truck Rental

(619)667-8431

Pro Service Desk

(619)667-8414

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

Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm