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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(319)235-4996
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 7:00am - 9:00pm
Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside: 09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
1050 Southtown Dr
Waterloo, IA 50702
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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 to keep them at bay. Be sure to get rid of weeds before they go to seed. Pull weeds from the root in gardens you'll be eating from, 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 pollinators and pets — and wear a respirator and heavy rubber gloves to ensure that the chemical doesn't touch your skin or your lungs.

How do I fix grass damaged by pets?

You'll need to rehydrate those roots. The solution for how to get burnt grass green again is easy: Fix the scorched spot with a quenching drink, then continue to water it regularly. It should perk up within a week. On the other hand, the news for how to treat grass from dog urine isn't as simple. Grass damaged by pets must be removed, neutralized, and replanted in fresh soil with new sod, or patch and repair grass seed.

When's the best time to water my lawn?

Ideally, water early in the morning. The next best time is in the evening, when the sun is setting. Watering during the heat of the day means a lot of the moisture will evaporate. This applies to whatever you're growing: grass, trees, veggies, and plants. 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. Depending on your grass type, climate, and lawn health, you may also want to look into applying a lawn fertilizer.

What are some tips to keep my garden healthy?

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

Can I make shady places to stay cool in the summer?

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 shed or house, make your own shade by attaching awnings and shade sails. However, sometimes shade isn't enough because it's extremely humid out. 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 swinging in a hammock when that water-cooled air is ready.

How do 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 own patio furniture 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 breathe new life into a patio.

The Home Depot Garden Center at Waterloo

Shop Our 4th of July Sale
Welcome the Fourth with a yard that's dressed to impress. Our big 4th of July Sale can help you get it done. We carry outdoor power equipment, including string trimmers, lawn mowers, and hedge trimmers, to keep your grass and trees in shape. Fertilizer and another round of mulch might be just what your garden needs. Continue watering your plants regularly to enjoy a stunning summer garden — and maybe even run through the sprinkler yourself. Take the time to make 4th of July memories. You may fondly remember this day-long feast of food fresh from the grill for years.

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

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

Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're worried that your lawn has dry and crispy blades of grass, don't worry just yet. It's possible that you've got a cool season grass that goes to sleep and turns brown in the heat of the summer. If that's the case, it won't be a patchy brown, but brown everywhere. See if the roots are alive by tugging on a blade of grass: If it comes right out, the grass is likely dead and will need to be replaced with new grass seed or sod. If the blade of grass doesn't pull right out, it's dormant. That means it's growing and resting underground. Water dormant grass deeply once or twice per week, but avoid fertilizer.

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. Avoid overwatering, and allow the lawn to dry out after heavy rains before you get out the sprinkler or garden hose again. Water your yard when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. You can test with your finger. This might happen quicker than you'd think during periods of 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.

Care for Your Shrubs and Trees
When you're making sure your garden is watered, don't forget about the trees and shrubs. They may need less watering than 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 aim the water at the roots. It'll help prolong the greenery and flowers and keep it from drying out.

Also, check for damaged areas on the trees, bushes, and shrubs. Pests can wreak havoc on your greenery if you don't catch them in time. Look for holes in leaves, strange raised scars on tree bark, or spots on bark or leaves. When your leaves look like lace, caterpillars or insects are eating them. Spots may indicate a number of 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 tree or shrub.

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

It can be tricky to plant herbs in the ground, 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 regular black dirt. Instead, they grow in a mix of perlite, sand, or rock chips.

Vines as Decorative Shade
Plant vines to climb an arched arbor or trellis to provide both shade and beauty. Go with vine plants that are native to your area to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Grape vines are a classic choice, but they take time to mature, so you'll only be enjoying shade and not fruit 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 with a delightful fragrance you can enjoy.

Find Your Summertime Garden Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes relaxing, grilling, gardening, or finishing those outdoor DIY projects, we've got you covered. Make the most of these early mornings and lengthy evenings 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 Waterloo store.

Nearby Stores

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4501 1st Avenue Se

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

46.98 mi

Tool & Truck Rental

(319)294-7368

Pro Service Desk

(319)294-7362

Mon-Sat: 7:00am - 9:00pm

Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm