Garden Center at Valley Stream #1216

The Home Depot 4th of July Sale
Welcome the Fourth with the yard of your dreams. 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 string trimmers, lawn mowers, and hedge trimmers. Another round of mulch or fertilizer might be just what your flower 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.



As the calendar turns to summer, your landscaping and garden will weather more sun and heat than earlier in the year. That means you'll want to consider how to keep things cool. You might also need ways to beat the heat. Let us help. At The Home Depot Valley Stream Garden Center, we've got what you need to make the most of summer.

Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're worried that your lawn has dried-out 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 summertime heat. If that's the case, it won't be a patchy brown, but brown everywhere. Gently tug out a blade of grass to check the roots: If it comes right out, the grass is likely dead and will need to be replaced with new sod or grass seed. If the blade of grass doesn't pull right out, it's dormant. That means it's resting but still alive beneath the surface. Dormant grass should be watered deeply once or twice a week — if it doesn't rain — but not fertilized.

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, each week. Be careful not to overwater, and allow the lawn to dry out after heavy rains before you get out the sprinkler or garden 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.

Watch Your Garden Thrive
As outlined in these garden watering tips, much of the upkeep comes down to balancing hydration and sun. You'll need both to keep your spirits high and greenery growing with summer flowering. A general rule when watering flowers is to aim the water at the roots. A garden hose, drip irrigation system, or sprinkler will work well. Contrary to popular belief, the blooms themselves don't need to be watered or even misted. Many flowers droop and wilt when they get wet, but they'll recover just fine when 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, monitor the nutrients your plants are getting. 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 trellis or fence, 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 your plant to a trellis, pole, or fence 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, cantaloupe, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes 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. These plants take up less space on the ground this way, which allows you to fit more plants or have walking room in between.

Vines as Decorative Shade
Plant vines near a trellis or arbor so they'll climb it and give you both beauty and shade. Go with vines that are native to your area to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Wisteria, honeysuckle, and morning glories 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, so you can enjoy a delightful fragrance in the cool shade.

Find Your Summertime Landscaping Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes relaxing, grilling, gardening, or knocking out 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 mobile app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your Valley Stream store.