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So you want to build a Home Garden
60
items Elevate your gardening game with our compact list of essentials. From seeds to soil, tools to protection, we've got you covered. Harness sunlight and water, enrich soil with fertilizer and mulch, and fend off pests naturally. Stay organized with mark...
Sections
7
Seeds
Soils
Planters and Pots
Garden Tools
Fertilizer
Mulch
Seeds
These tiny packages hold the promise of future growth and abundance. Choose from a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to suit your taste and preferences. Each seed is a potential masterpiece waiting to unfold in your garden.
Ideal for beginners, tomatoes thrive in well-drained soil and require full sunlight. Provide support structures like cages or stakes to keep the plants upright as they grow.
Buy Tomato Seeds - Grow The Best Tomatoes
Quick to mature and tolerant of cooler temperatures, lettuce is perfect for early spring and fall planting. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued growth.
Lettuce Seeds - Organic Blends & Mixes
Choose loose, sandy soil for carrots to develop straight and long roots. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding, and water consistently to keep the soil evenly moist.
Carrot Seeds | Shop 18 Varieties
Plant zucchini in fertile, well-drained soil and provide plenty of space for the sprawling vines to spread. Harvest when fruits are small for the best flavor and texture.
Zucchini Squash Seeds - True Leaf Market
Plant bell peppers in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Provide consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting stages, and support the plants with stakes if they become heavy with fruit.
Pepper Seeds - Sweet/Bell | Shop 34 Varieties
Plant green beans in loose, well-drained soil and provide support structures like trellises or poles for climbing varieties. Harvest beans regularly to encourage continued production.
Bean Seeds | Shop 44 Varieties
Plant cucumbers in fertile soil with good drainage and ample sunlight. Provide support for vining varieties and keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruiting stages.
Cucumber Seeds | Shop 33 Varieties
Plant spinach in rich, well-drained soil and provide partial shade in warmer climates. Harvest leaves regularly to encourage continuous growth and prevent bolting in hot weather.
Organic & Hybrid Spinach - Vegetable Seeds
Radishes prefer loose, well-drained soil and full sunlight. Plant seeds directly in the garden and thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding. Harvest radishes when they reach a desirable size, typically within a few weeks of planting.
Radish Seeds - Perfecto, Cherry Belle - Vegetable Seeds
Plant broccoli in fertile, well-drained soil and provide consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Harvest heads when they are firm and compact, before the florets start to open.
Hybrid & Organic Broccoli - Vegetable Seeds
Soils
Understanding the characteristics and benefits of different soil types can help a new gardener choose the right soil for their specific gardening needs, ensuring healthy and thriving plants in their gardens.
Loam soil is often considered the ideal soil type for gardening because it offers a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay. It provides good drainage while retaining moisture and nutrients, making it suitable for a wide range of plants. Loam soil a...
Soils - Landscaping Supplies
Sandy soil has large particles that allow for excellent drainage, making it ideal for plants that prefer drier conditions. It warms up quickly in the spring and is easy to cultivate. Sandy soil is suitable for root crops like carrots and potatoes, as...
Sandy Soil Gardening Guide: What Is Sandy Soil Good For?
While clay soil can be challenging to work with due to its dense, compacted texture, it has several benefits for gardening. Clay soil holds moisture well and provides good support for plant roots. It's particularly suitable for moisture-loving plants...
Clay
Peat soil is high in organic matter and retains moisture exceptionally well. It's acidic in nature, making it suitable for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries. Peat soil also has good aeration properties, promoting healthy root deve...
Peat
Silt soil has smaller particles than sand but larger than clay, resulting in a smooth, fertile texture. It retains moisture better than sandy soil while still providing good drainage. Silt soil is suitable for a wide range of plants and can be improv...
Loam
Chalky soil is alkaline and contains high levels of calcium carbonate. It's well-draining and warms up quickly in the spring. Chalky soil is suitable for growing Mediterranean herbs like lavender and rosemary, as well as plants that thrive in alkalin...
Soil Types - Chalky - Clay - Loam - Peat - Sandy - Silt
Planters and Pots
Containers come in all shapes and sizes, offering versatility for gardeners with limited space or those looking to create a mobile garden. Whether you choose terracotta pots, decorative planters, or repurpose household items, each vessel becomes a ca...
Made from fired clay, terracotta pots are porous and allow for air and moisture exchange, promoting healthy root growth. They have a classic, rustic appearance and are suitable for a wide range of plants.
Clay - Plant Pots - Planters
Lightweight and affordable, plastic pots come in various sizes, shapes, and colors. They are durable, easy to clean, and retain moisture well, making them ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
Plastic Pots & Planters at Lowes.com
Ceramic pots are glazed and fired at high temperatures, resulting in a durable and decorative finish. They come in a variety of colors and designs, adding aesthetic appeal to any garden or indoor space.
Ceramic - Plant Pots - Planters
Wooden planters provide a natural and rustic look to gardens and outdoor spaces. They can be made from cedar, redwood, or other rot-resistant woods and are often used for growing herbs, flowers, and vegetables.
Wood - Planters - Garden Center
Hanging baskets are suspended from hooks or brackets and are ideal for trailing plants like ivy, petunias, and ferns. They add vertical interest to gardens and are suitable for small spaces or vertical gardening.
Hanging Baskets
Raised beds are elevated planting areas constructed from wood, metal, or composite materials. They provide better drainage, soil aeration, and weed control compared to traditional garden beds. Raised beds are suitable for growing vegetables, herbs, a...
Raised Garden Beds - Garden Center
Window boxes are narrow containers designed to be mounted beneath windowsills or on railings. They are perfect for adding color and greenery to balconies, decks, and windowsills, and are ideal for growing herbs, trailing flowers, and small vegetables...
Window Boxes - Planters
Self-watering planters feature a reservoir that holds water, allowing plants to absorb moisture as needed. They are convenient for busy gardeners or those with limited access to water and are suitable for a variety of indoor and outdoor plants.
Self Watering Planters | Indoor & Outdoor ...
Fabric grow bags are made from breathable, durable fabric that promotes air pruning and prevents root circling. They are lightweight, portable, and foldable, making them ideal for urban gardening, balconies, and small spaces.
Fabric Grow Bags
Vertical planters are designed to maximize growing space by stacking plants vertically. They come in various designs, including wall-mounted planters, hanging planters, and modular systems, allowing gardeners to grow herbs, flowers, and vegetables in...
Vertical Planters
Garden Tools
From shovels to trowels, pruners to watering cans, garden tools are the extension of your hands in the soil. Each tool serves a purpose, aiding in planting, pruning, and nurturing your garden to fruition. With the right tools at your disposal, you're...
A hand trowel is a small, handheld tool with a pointed blade used for digging, planting, and transplanting small plants and bulbs.
Garden Trowels - Gardening Tools
A garden fork has sturdy tines and is used for loosening soil, turning compost, and removing weeds. It's essential for aerating soil and breaking up compacted earth.
Garden Forks - Gardening Tools
Also known as secateurs, pruning shears are used for cutting and shaping plants, trimming dead or damaged branches, and harvesting flowers and vegetables.
Pruning Shears - Garden Shears
Garden gloves protect your hands from thorns, sharp objects, and rough surfaces while working in the garden. Look for gloves made from durable materials with a good grip.
Gardening Gloves - The Home Depot
A garden spade has a flat, square blade and is used for digging, edging, and moving soil. It's essential for preparing planting beds and digging holes for larger plants.
Garden spade Shovels & Spades at Lowes.com
A garden rake has sturdy tines and is used for leveling soil, spreading mulch, and removing debris like leaves and grass clippings.
Rakes - Gardening Tools
A watering can is essential for watering plants, providing them with the moisture they need to grow and thrive. Choose a watering can with a removable spout for easy filling and pouring.
Amazon.com: Watering Cans
A watering hose is essential for watering plants, providing them with the moisture they need to grow and thrive.
Garden Hoses - Watering Essentials
A wheelbarrow or garden cart is used for transporting soil, mulch, plants, and other heavy materials around the garden. It's essential for reducing strain on your back and making gardening tasks easier and more efficient.
Wheelbarrows - Garden Tools
A garden knife has a sharp blade and is used for cutting twine, opening bags of soil or mulch, and dividing perennials. It's a versatile tool that comes in handy for various gardening tasks.
Gardening Knife
A pruning saw has a serrated blade and is used for cutting thick branches and stems that are too large for pruning shears. It's essential for maintaining trees, shrubs, and larger plants in the garden.
Pruning Saws - Pruning Tools
A drip irrigation system, ensuring your plants receive adequate water is essential for their health and vitality. A reliable watering system ensures that your garden stays hydrated, even during dry spells.
Garden Grid™ watering systems
Fertilizer
Supplement your soil with nutrients essential for plant growth and development. Choose from organic or synthetic fertilizers tailored to the specific needs of your plants. With the right fertilization regimen, you'll nourish your garden and encourage...
Compost is made from decomposed organic matter such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, and manure. It enriches the soil with essential nutrients, improves soil structure, and promotes beneficial microbial activity.
Natural Choice® All Purpose Compost - Dr Earth
Animal manure, such as cow, horse, or chicken manure, is a rich source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It enhances soil fertility, promotes healthy plant growth, and improves soil structure.
Manure
Bone meal is a natural fertilizer made from ground-up animal bones. It's high in phosphorus, which stimulates root development, flowering, and fruiting in plants.
Bone Meal Fertilizer: Pros and Cons
Fish emulsion is made from fermented fish waste and is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It provides a quick boost of nutrients to plants and improves soil fertility.
Using Fish Emulsion as an Organic Fertilizer
Blood meal is a dried powder made from animal blood and is high in nitrogen. It promotes rapid growth and lush foliage in plants, making it ideal for nitrogen-hungry crops like leafy greens and vegetables.
Blood Meal: What It Is and When to Use It
Seaweed extract is derived from seaweed and is rich in trace minerals, vitamins, and growth hormones. It enhances plant growth, improves nutrient uptake, and increases resistance to stress and disease.
Seaweed Extract
Bat guano is a natural fertilizer derived from bat excrement and is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It promotes healthy root growth, flowering, and fruiting in plants.
Down To Earth Organic Bat Guano Fertilizer
Green manure refers to cover crops like clover, alfalfa, and rye grass that are grown specifically to be turned into the soil to enrich it with nutrients. It improves soil fertility, adds organic matter, and suppresses weeds.
Green manure
Epsom salt is a natural source of magnesium and sulfate, which are essential nutrients for plant growth. It corrects magnesium deficiencies in the soil, promotes chlorophyll production, and improves nutrient uptake.
Gardening with Epsom Salt For Plants
Liquid fertilizers are concentrated nutrients that are diluted with water and applied directly to plants' foliage or soil. They provide a quick boost of nutrients and are easily absorbed by plants, promoting rapid growth and healthy development.
Liquid Fertilizer
Mulch
Mulch acts as a protective layer, conserving moisture, suppressing weeds, and regulating soil temperature. Whether it's organic materials like straw or leaves, or inorganic options like rubber mulch, each layer of mulch provides a cozy blanket for yo...
Wood chips are a popular mulch option made from shredded or chipped wood. They provide excellent weed suppression, moisture retention, and insulation for plant roots. Wood chips also break down slowly, enriching the soil as they decompose.
Wood Mulch
Straw mulch is made from the stems of grain crops like wheat, barley, or oats. It's lightweight, easy to spread, and effective at retaining moisture and suppressing weeds. Straw mulch also breaks down over time, adding organic matter to the soil.
Straw - Mulch - Landscaping Supplies
Grass clippings from mowing your lawn can be used as mulch in the garden. They're readily available, free, and rich in nitrogen, which can benefit plant growth. Grass clippings also break down quickly, providing nutrients to the soil.
What to do with lawn clippings | UMN Extension
Fallen leaves make an excellent mulch for starting a garden. They're abundant in the fall, free, and add organic matter to the soil as they decompose. Shred leaves before using them as mulch to prevent matting and improve decomposition.
Using Leaves in the Vegetable Garden
Pine straw is the dried needles that fall from pine trees. It's lightweight, easy to spread, and long-lasting. Pine straw mulch is acidic, making it suitable for acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries.
Pine Straw Mulch: What It Is and How to Use It
Shredded bark mulch is made from the bark of trees like cedar, cypress, or pine. It's durable, long-lasting, and adds a decorative touch to garden beds. Shredded bark mulch also helps suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
#410 - Premium Shredded Hardwood Mulch (1 CY) – Ohio ...
Finished compost can be used as mulch in the garden. It's rich in organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms that promote soil health and plant growth. Apply compost as a thick layer on garden beds to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Compost vs. Mulch: What's the Difference?
Rubber mulch is made from recycled rubber tires and provides a long-lasting, low-maintenance mulch option. It's lightweight, doesn't attract pests, and suppresses weeds effectively. Rubber mulch also retains moisture well and doesn't decompose like o...
Rubber Mulch :: Fast & Free Shipping
Compost
Turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into black gold with a composting system. Compost enriches the soil, improves its structure, and promotes beneficial microbial activity. As you nurture your compost pile, you're contributing to the sustainability of...
Bin composters are enclosed containers with open bottoms that sit directly on the ground. They come in various sizes and styles, ranging from simple plastic bins to more elaborate wooden or metal structures. Bin composters help contain the compost pi...
Tumbleweed Composting Products
Tumbler composters consist of a drum or barrel mounted on a frame that can be rotated to mix the compost materials. They're easy to use and maintain, and the tumbling action helps aerate the compost pile, speeding up the decomposition process.
Tumbler Composters - Compost Bins
Pile composters are the simplest and most traditional type of composter. They consist of an open pile of organic materials, such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, and garden trimmings, layered or mixed together to decompose naturally. Pile composters ar...
Composting 101: How to Start Composting
Worm bins, also known as vermicomposters, use red worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. They consist of stacked trays or bins with perforated bottoms that allow worms to move freely between layers. Worm bins are compact, odor-...
Vermicompost