#1 Home Improvement Retailer

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(760)510-2464
Tool & Truck Rental(760)510-2473
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 6:00am - 10:00pm
Sun: 7:00am - 8:00pm
Curbside: 09:00am - 6:00pm
Location
550 San Marcos Blvd
San Marcos, CA 92069
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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 in the grass?

Weeds might start peeking through in the garden beds, even if you put down mulch or a fabric liner to keep them at bay. Pull out weeds from the root in edible gardens, and dig up the roots if the weed snapped off without them. Be sure to get rid of weeds before they go to seed. If you'd like to treat weeds with weed killer, check that it's safe for pets and pollinators — and wear a respirator and heavy rubber gloves to ensure that the chemical doesn't touch your skin or your lungs.

Is my yard dead?

It could be, but it's also likely just taking a break during those soaring temps. Cool-season grass goes dormant in the summer. It isn't usually dead — just crispy brown. Here's how you can check on it: If you tug on a grass blade and it pulls right out, it's time to plant new seed or sod because the grass is a goner. Water dormant lawns deeply but not often. Warm-season lawns need water every few days in the summer. Those lawns stay green if they're healthy.

When should I water my plants?

If you can water during the early morning or in the evening, that's ideal. Watering during the heat of the day means a lot of the moisture will evaporate. This applies to whatever you're growing: plants, trees, grass, and vegetables. Whenever you water, give all the plants a thorough drink. The plants still need hydration regardless of the time on the clock. Depending on your climate, grass type, and lawn health, you may also want to look into applying a lawn fertilizer.

How do I keep my garden healthy?

After you've planted your flowers or plants, ensure they stay well-fed and hydrated. Choose an organic or a synthetic fertilizer that fits your needs and give your garden a boost. You can even find one that's formulated for whatever you're growing, whether you need a fruit tree fertilizer, shrub fertilizer, or a general garden fertilizer blend. Only apply as often as recommended on the packaging. More is not better here. Be sure to water immediately after, as directed, so the fertilizer won't burn the plants.

How can I cool off my patio?

When you need a break from working in the yard, shelter beneath a patio umbrella or covered gazebo. Attach awnings and shade sails to the shed or house to create shadowy spots to rest under. However, sometimes shade isn't enough because it's extremely humid. That's when a patio mister or misting fan can help cool the air and transform a stifling afternoon into a relaxing day. Go back to swinging in a hammock when that water-cooled air is ready.

How do I make my backyard look special for entertaining?

Spending time with friends in gorgeous summertime weather makes the season even more special. But you don't need a full patio makeover or to create your patio collection from scratch to do it. Even a minor backyard refresh can make a big difference. New outdoor lounge furniture, strings of outdoor lights, or even an outdoor rug can bring character to a backyard oasis.

The Home Depot Garden Center at San Marcos

Shop Our 4th of July Sale
Greet Independence Day with a yard that's dressed to impress. Our huge 4th of July Sale can help you do it. Let your great outdoors help you enjoy the festivities with your friends and family. Get that grill or patio furniture you've had your eye on and invite your guests to relax with full bellies of delicious food. Save money now and use these long-term investments for years of future cookouts.

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

As summer rolls in, your garden and landscaping will weather more sun and heat than earlier in the year. That means you'll need to consider how to keep things cool with shade, proper tending, and irrigation. Just like we can get sunburned, grass can get scorched and trees can lose their leaves prematurely. Let us help. At your Garden Center in San Marcos, we've got what you need to make the most of summer.

Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're concerned that your lawn has straw-like blades of grass, don't worry. It's possible that you've got a cool season grass that goes dormant and turns brown in the heat of the summer. If that's the case, it'll be brown, but not in patches. 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 grass seed or sod. If the blade of grass doesn't pull right out, it's dormant. That means it's resting but still alive underground. Dormant grass should be watered deeply once or twice a week — if it doesn't rain — but don't fertilize it.

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. Make sure not to overwater, 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 check with your finger. This might happen quicker than you'd think during extreme hot spells. It's ok to let the grass grow taller this time of the year, as cutting your lawn too short isn't healthy for it.

Watch Your Garden Thrive
Water your garden hydrate it between rainstorms and keep the summer flowering going. A general rule when watering flowers is to aim the water at the roots. A garden hose, drip irrigation system, or sprinkler can get the job done. You don't need to water or even mist the blooms themselves. Many flowers droop and wilt when they get but recover once they dry off. Succulents are, of course, the exception to basic watering rules, so look up your specific types of succulents to optimize their care.

In addition to watering them regularly, keep an eye on the nutrients your plants are getting. Add fertilizer as recommended. We've even got fertilizers to match the plants you're growing so they'll enjoy a balanced diet with the proper nutrients.

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

Planting herbs in the ground can be tricky, as many of them — especially mint — are invasive and will take over your yard. So keep them in small decorative pots on a sunny porch, window sill, or even as a beautiful hanging garden on a wall. Herbs also work well in a hydroponic garden, which means they don't grow in soil. Instead, they grow in a mix of perlite, sand, or rock chips.

Trees as Natural Shade
Trees are a stunning and natural source of shade, They can change the look of your yard. Whether you plant a few trees or a forest, keep in mind this is a long-term commitment. When they're healthy, trees live many decades — and some for hundreds of years. Before you shop, read up on how to plant a tree, whether they're deciduous trees, evergreen saplings, or more mature trees.

A house framed by beautiful trees can seem picture-perfect, but research the specific trees you want before planting them. Think about how far the roots extend outward, the full-grown size of the trees you want, and how deep the taproots go. Plant your trees far from water pipes, as their strong roots will seek water and wend into piping to get it. Leave a safe distance from your home, as large trees can catch the wind if not properly pruned. If you've planned accordingly, found trees you love, and know the best places to put them, get planting. That way, you can enjoy the leaves rustling in the breeze and dappled shade sooner rather than later.

Find Your Summertime Landscaping Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes grilling, gardening, relaxing, or completing outdoor DIY projects, we've got the supplies you need to keep your days flowing with ease. 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 app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your San Marcos store.

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