Garden Center at Delafield #4910

Celebrate Springtime Gardening
On spring days, tidy the yard before everything blooms in earnest. Plan your garden to make the most of your time and space. Don't forget to clean the shed and sweep out the gazebo in preparation for spring, too. No matter what outdoor projects you choose to tackle and which plants you need, search for your local plant nursery and find that The Home Depot Delafield Garden Center is the local plant nursery to help you enjoy your spring activities to the fullest.

Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing to learn when planting spring flowers, veggies, 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 flower bulbs and seeds.

For example, you could plant bell pepper seedlings outdoors in mid-March in Zone 10, but not until the end of May in Zone 4. For best results, choose plants in your zone number or less. In other words, a Zone 8 garden can support plants listed as Zones 1–8. The timeframe to direct sow outdoors in your garden is often around a month later than the indoor start date. Always read your seed package for details. If you start your seeds a little later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it will likely even out as time passes.

Gardening in Your Growing Zone: Great Plains and Upper Midwest
Much of the Upper Midwest and Great Plains is in Zones 3 through 5. Your best bets for veggies will be root vegetables like carrots and beets, leafy greens including lettuce, and cruciferous veggies like cabbage and kale. You can try squash, too. If you plant outside, prepare for additional warming upkeep when frost is in the forecast. Planting dates are similar to Zone 4, that is to say, the target is mid-March through May 1st, depending on whether you're starting your seeds indoors or directly sowing them into your garden.

The state of Kansas and slightly north of the state line is in Zone 6, so planting can begin earlier there than farther north. The outdoor growing season doesn't begin until mid-March or even April, although you can start some veggies by seed halfway through February. Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and other classic garden crops will do well in this region, and most of them can get an early jump on growing indoors before spring really moves in.

Plant Seeds Outside With Direct Sow
Planting seeds into your garden soil, or using the direct sow method, is an alternative option. There's less planning and tending than growing indoors. If you like to go with the flow, follow the instructions on your seed pouch and try it out.

Prepare to deal with whatever hand nature deals you: You could have no germinating seeds or all of them might sprout. A critter might munch the tender seedlings for a snack. All the seeds you plant in each hole may sprout, so you'll need to choose the most robust sprouts to survive in a process called thinning. Garden pests or bugs might eat your seedlings before they take off. But if you're lucky, you'll get strong sprouts that are ready to grow all spring.

Start Seeds Indoors
If you'd like more control over your seedlings' journey or you're eager to get growing, start your seeds indoors in your own plant nursery. In general, you can plant seeds indoors a month before you can do it outside. Like direct sow, you push the seeds into the soil as directed on the seed envelope, but that's where the similarities end. Seed trays make it easier to transplant later.

You're responsible for giving them quality substitutes for rain and sun. Keep your seeds warm with grow lights and heat mats, water them carefully with a spray bottle or watering can, then thin them as they germinate in groups of three. Give them a boost with a gently blowing fan as they lengthen into sprouts if you'd like. Harden them off to get them used to outdoor conditions, then transplant them into your garden when they're big enough.

Transplant Young Plants Into Their New Homes
In quality soil, dig a hole that's the same size or bigger than your plant's dirt plug. Place your transplant in the ground, and fill any extra space with nutrient-rich topsoil. Apply fertilizer if desired inside the plant hole before planting or on top of the dirt, then be sure to water it. Only apply as much fertilizer as is recommended, as too much could kill the plant. Consider putting up chicken wire or other protective measures if rabbits, deer, or chipmunks visit your yard regularly, as your sprouts may otherwise get eaten.

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

Greet the Spring
Don't miss a minute of growing season. Plan your landscaping and garden, prepare to fertilize your lawn, and browse your nearest plant nursery to find inspiration on which spring flowers to plant when the weather warms. For those without lawns, consider adding a pellet grill, artificial grass, or an outdoor rug to your patio. Shop for the soil, seeds, and fertilizer you need in the aisles of your Delafield Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.