Garden Center at Cheyenne #6002

Set Up For Springtime
On gorgeous spring days, tidy the yard before everything blooms in earnest. You can also add beauty and interest with stonework, hardscaping, and water features. Don't forget to clean out the shed and sweep the gazebo in preparation for spring, too. No matter which plants you need and what outdoor projects you choose to tackle, when you search for your local plant nursery, you'll find that The Home Depot Cheyenne Garden Center can help you enjoy your spring activities to the fullest.

Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing to know when planting vegetables, spring flowers, and other seeds is your planting zone. Every location in the United States and its territories is sorted into blocks by climate. Find your zone on the USDA zone map and learn when to plant seeds and flower bulbs.

For example, you could transplant bell peppers outdoors in mid-March in Zone 10, but not until the end of May in Zone 4. You'll have good results with plants that have your zone number or less. In other words, a Zone 9 garden can support plants listed as Zones 1–9. You can plant seeds indoors roughly a month before you can plant them outside, known as direct sow. Always read your seed package for details. If you start your seeds a little later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it will even out as time passes.

Gardening in the Pacific Mountain Desert Region
The diverse topography of this area means planting times vary widely. Desert areas are in Zones 7–10, depending on location, and areas with more elevation are in chillier Zones 4, 5, and 6. Both deserts and mountains are can have extreme conditions, so consider indoor gardening as a strong supplement to growing outdoors if possible.

In the desert, native plants like succulents, cacti, and hardy desert shrubs will grow outside with ease. Other beloved garden vegetables love the heat, like nightshades. If you start them indoors and carefully introduce them outdoors in the shade, you can enjoy raising vegetables even in a dry climate. However, many flowers are sensitive to that much heat and sun, so research to find which varieties can handle the weather before planting outdoors.

Colder regions in Zones 6–8 should wait a little longer to plant, and all these zones need to wait another month before planting seeds outdoors rather than indoors. Mountainous regions in Zones 3, 4, and 5 will have the shortest growing season, with seed starters going in later in the spring. Although the weather may vary, waiting until the frost is done for the season will give your seeds the best chance at a hearty and healthy life.

Check out cruciferous veggies and certain herbs if you're ready to get planting. This includes broccoli, kale, and cabbage. Greens like spinach, artichokes, and fragrant herbs, including parsley, basil, and oregano, also don't mind a jump on things. In Zones 4–6, traditional garden vegetables, like hot peppers of all kinds, cucumbers, and tomatoes, are fine with an early spring or late winter start indoors under the grow lights.

Plant Seeds Outside With Direct Sow
Direct sow, or planting seeds directly into outdoor garden soil, is another way of gardening. If you prefer to go with the flow, follow the instructions on your seed packet. Direct sow timeframes are later than indoor planting because the soil must be warm enough.

There's more variation with seed survival with direct sow. Your seedlings need to survive storms and hungry rodents, weather too much rain or sun, and obtain proper nutrition. Prepare to deal with whatever nature gives you. If you're lucky, you'll get strong sprouts that grow all spring.

Start Seeds Indoors
You can gain the satisfaction of growing your garden from seeds and save money by starting them indoors in your own plant nursery. We've got all the seed starter supplies you'll need. For best results, you'll want grow lights and heat mats to go with your seed trays and nursery pots. If you're planting a larger garden, use seed trays — like the ones you see sprouts in at your nearest garden center — to plant tiny soil plugs with seedlings. You can also use pots with potting soil and seed starter mix.

Measure your finger to use it as a ruler. In general, you'll plant 3–5 seeds, then press them into the soil to the depth you need with your finger. Mark where you planted the seeds with a plant tag or toothpick. That way, you'll know where your seeds should pop up. Otherwise, it'll be a surprise when the sprouts push out of the soil.

Watch Over Your Sprouts
When your seeds have sprouted but aren't ready to go outside yet, you can still prepare them for outdoor life. These micro-seedlings are fragile — only an inch or so high, with the tiniest seedling leaf or two — but they're resilient. Seedlings don't get all this pampering in nature, so they can handle more than you think. However, your sprouts are still babies, so don't go overboard. You can even use an oscillating fan on low to strengthen their stems by mimicking the wind.

Harden The Seedlings
Once your seedlings have sprouted and are a few inches tall, start hardening them off. Gradually introducing them to the outdoors, strengthening them in the long run. Hardening means your sprouts and seedlings are less likely to die during a sudden cold snap.

Transplant Young Plants
In quality soil, dig a hole that's the same size or bigger than your plant's dirt plug. Carefully remove your transplant without pulling on it, keeping it inside its clump of dirt. Place your transplant in the ground, and fill any extra space with nutrient-rich topsoil and fertilizer, then give it a generous drink without overwatering. Never apply more fertilizer than recommended, as adding more could harm the plant. Consider putting up garden fencing or other protective measures if squirrels, deer, or chipmunks visit your yard regularly, as your sprouts may otherwise become a snack.

Enrich Your Garden With Mulch
Finish it all off with mulch and compost. Mulch keeps your soil from drying out and controls weeds. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster larger plants that bear more flowers and fruit. Compost and mulch can be purchased in-store, or you can learn how to make compost DIY-style. The next time you need "mulch near me," stop by the Garden Center to get the correct amount.

Greet the Spring
Late winter into early spring is an exciting time in the world of gardening. Plan your garden and landscaping, prepare to fertilize your lawn, and browse your nearest nursery to find inspiration on which spring flowers to plant when the weather warms. For those without lawns, consider adding an outdoor rug, artificial grass, or a pellet grill to your patio. Shop for the soil, seeds, and fertilizer you need in the aisles of your Cheyenne Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.