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Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening
What number planting zone am I in?
Check the USDA zone map, as planting zones have shifted over the years. Planting zones with higher numbers can plant earlier in the year. Increase your odds of successful gardening by choosing plants that are meant for your zone.
Can I plant seeds directly in the ground?
If the soil is pliable and warm, consider planting your flower, veggie, or fruit seeds directly into your garden. This is called the "direct sow" method. The time to plant will be after the threat of frost is gone for the season, as seedlings and sprouts can't weather those conditions. You can also start your seeds indoors if you'd like. Consult your seed envelope for how and when to sow seeds.
How do I plant flower seeds?
The best source of information is the seed packet your garden-to-be came in. It's key to successfully growing fruits, veggies, and spring flowers — indoors or outdoors. Requirements vary with each seed type. Some seeds should only be planted indoors, and your seed envelope will tell you that, too. For more details, check out how to plant seeds.
Do I have to harden off my seedlings before planting them outside?
Yes, if you raised plants indoors from seeds, harden them first before you transplant them. Hardening is the process of getting them used to outdoor life, spring rains, and temperature swings. It slows their growth until they're strong and ready to take off during a spring warm front. Hardening also makes your plants more resilient to a sudden cold snap. Read your seed packets or speak to a garden center associate for more info on caring for your tender seedlings.
How do I strengthen my seedlings before planting them outdoors?
Get your sprouts used to breezy spring days and storms with a fan and keep fungus from growing in damp conditions. Set up an oscillating fan on low to mimic the wind. Just the gentlest breeze for several hours a day will do the trick. They'll gain strength even though you shouldn't see them moving. If you don't set up a fan, your seedlings may be more sensitive to strong winds. Try to plant between storms.
Should I use peat moss starters or coir starters?
Seed starters, full of nutrients in convenient pellets or pots, work for new and experienced gardeners. You don't have to use these starters if you're planting in soil, but you may want to. Starting seeds in peat pots works best for delicately rooted plants like carrots and beets, as well as flowers that require an acidic pH. Some people prefer coir starters instead, as they have a neutral pH. Check what type of soil your plants need to help narrow it down, and chat with a garden center associate if you need more info.
The Home Depot Garden Center at San Tan Valley
Gardening Gift Sale for Mother's Day
When you're searching for Mother's Day gardening gifts, check out the bargains on our garden decor, flower pots, and planters. Our Mother's Day Sale is your solution for the right present. You can even surprise her with new patio furniture. If you're not sure what to get, a gift card never fails. It's easy to shop the sales that run from May 2nd to May 12th on our mobile app or in person at your local store.
It's time to start thinking of spring. We're here to help you prepare for sprouts poking up, fragrant breezes, and warmer temperatures. Planting seeds indoors with grow lights means you'll be ready to transplant spring flowers and young veggie plants when the ground thaws and the frosts are through. You might even want to directly sow seeds into the earth.
Plant Hardiness Zones Explained
The first thing to learn when planting vegetables, spring flowers, and other seeds is your planting zone. Every location in the U.S. and its territories is sorted by climate. Find your zone on the USDA zone map and learn when to plant 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. The plants that'll thrive in your area are in your zone, and all the zones numbered less than that. In other words, a Zone 6 garden can support plants listed as Zones 1–6. The timeframe to direct sow outdoors in your garden is often around a month later than the indoor start date. Always read your seed packet for details. If you start them a little later than recommended, it's not ideal, but it will even out as time passes.
Gardening in Your Growing Zone
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 4–6. Both deserts and mountains are susceptible to extreme conditions, so consider indoor gardening as a strong supplement to growing outdoors when and where you can.
In the desert, native plants like succulents, cacti, and other 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, both annuals and perennials, are sensitive to that much sun and heat, so research to find varieties that 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 an additional month before planting seeds outdoors rather than indoors. Mountainous regions in Zones 3 to 5 will have the shortest growing season, with seed starters going in later in the spring. Although the weather may vary, wait until the frost has passed to give your seeds the best chance at a healthy and hearty life.
Check out cruciferous veggies and certain herbs if you’re ready to get planting. This includes kale, broccoli, and cabbage. Greens like spinach, artichokes, and fragrant herbs, including basil, parsley, and oregano, also don't mind an early beginning. In Zones 4–6, traditional garden vegetables like 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
Planting seeds with the direct sow method, right into the soil, is another option. It doesn't give you as much organized planning in terms of space and reliability as starting indoors. However, if you like to go with the flow, follow the instructions on your seed pack and try it out.
Prepare to deal with whatever hand nature deals you: Be ready for none of your seeds to sprout, all of them to come up, and anything in between. Your seedlings will need to survive wind, rain, bugs and critters that want a crunchy green snack, and sudden cold temperatures. 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 instead. In general, you can plant seeds indoors about a month before you can do it outside. Like direct sow, you push the seeds into the soil as directed on the seed packet, but that's where the similarities end.
You're responsible for giving them quality substitutes for sunlight and rain. Keep your seeds cozy with warming mats and grow lights, 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
Place your transplants in the ground, then give them a generous drink of water — without drowning it. Blanket the surrounding area with mulch, marking where the plant is with a stick so you can easily find it among the grass clippings, old leaves, or straw. Consider putting up chicken wire or other protective measures if rabbits, squirrels, deer, or chipmunks visit your yard regularly, as your sprouts may otherwise become a snack.
Protect Your Garden With Mulch
Finish your planting by following it with compost and mulch. Compost enriches the soil so your garden can grow even better. It may help foster stronger and larger plants that bear more flowers and fruit. Mulch keeps your soil from drying out and controls weeds. Compost and mulch can be DIY creations, but you can also purchase them in-store. The next time you're looking for "mulch near me," stop by the Garden Center to get the right amount.
Greet the Spring
Early spring is an exciting time in the world of gardening. Don't miss a minute of growing season. Prepare to fertilize your lawn, plan your garden and landscaping, and browse our garden center pages to find inspiration on which spring flowers to plant when the weather warms. Shop for the seeds, fertilizer, and soil you need in the aisles of your San Tan Valley Garden Center, online, or on our mobile app. Let's get growing together.
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