As springtime approaches, it’s time to get our gardens and yards ready for the warm weather ahead. But first, you need the right products to ensure plants grow well and have exactly what they need to thrive. Luckily, Tractor Supply’s Garden Center is packed with products for your lawn and garden spaces, from fruit, vegetable and herb seeds to soil and mulch. Along with insights from Keven Shanks with Scotts Miracle-Gro, learn what to look out for this spring, and find out why we’re a go-to destination for both beginners and seasoned gardeners and greenhouse owners alike.
Explore Our Plants and Flowers
The first step in starting your own garden or greenhouse involves finding the right plants and flowers. To find the right varieties for you, “Some of the things you will want to consider are your climate and space,” suggests Shanks, further stating that gardeners should follow the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map. “It is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at that location.”
For instance, some flowers and plants will grow better in certain climates and ground conditions, while others work for growing in pots, which may be better for those with limited garden space. That’s why we stock a wide range of plants and flowers, so you can find the right fit for your garden or landscaping needs. These include:
- Flowers: From gardenias to hydrangeas to roses, our flowers offer stunning blooms and lovely colors to any area you plant them – just make sure you consult the plant’s tag to know how much sun it needs.
- Live trees: These offer much-needed shade and privacy in backyards, plus enhance the natural ecosystems living in your yard.
- Shrubs: These are great for adding texture to landscapes and filling in bare spots where more plants may be needed.
- Seeds: These come in small packets, allowing you to turn herb, fruit and vegetable seeds, as well as grass seed, into flowering plants and food.
- Edible plants: Whether you’re looking for herbs, vegetables or fruit plants, these grow in gardens and containers to deliver fresh flavor to your table.
- Ground cover plants: These can be planted over large garden spaces to shade plants and prevent weed growth.
- Succulents and house plants: These do well indoors and are often more low maintenance than traditional flowers, herbs and vegetable plants
- Vines and climbing plants: These naturally climb fences, trellises and other structures as they grow, allowing plants to take over and create stunning scenery in your garden.
- Artificial plants and flowers: These are ideal for those who love the look of fresh flowers and plants without the green thumb, allowing you to achieve the same vibe without the maintenance.
Find the Right Pots, Planters and Soil
If you’re looking to start a container garden, the next thing you’ll need is a suitable pot or planter, which you can find right in our Garden Center. Planters are your traditional type of pot, usually featuring a drain hole at the bottom to allow for airflow and moisture release, keeping roots healthy and preventing mold from growing. But if you’re looking for something that will better suit your space, consider the following planter types:
- Raised garden beds: These are designed to be elevated off the ground, allowing you to better control growing conditions and comfortably garden without putting strain on your back.
- Window boxes: These sit underneath windows to give a charming look to your home’s exterior.
- Hanging baskets: These come with hooks so you can hang them from archways, ceilings and porch spaces, making it easy to add greenery where needed.
If you already have some pots ready to go, maybe you need other accessories, such as drain saucers to place underneath them that keep water from pooling onto furniture or fragile materials, or plant hooks so you can hang flowers on your porch. You may also want a decorative plant stand to give your blooms some more flair. That’s why alongside planters, we offer a variety of plant stands and accessories, allowing you to find exactly what you need for your setup.
After finding a suitable pot, think about the type of soil to put into it. Different soils offer varying ingredients and properties, each working better to deliver the nutrients your plants require to thrive. “If planting in a container, use a potting mix,” Shanks recommends, “If planting in a raised bed, use a raised bed soil and if planting in-ground, use a garden soil.” You can also use topsoil to give flower beds a good foundation before planting, seed starters to allow seeds to germinate, as well as soil amendments to add necessary nutrients to soils.
Access Plant Care Products and Fertilizer
Whether your plants need a boost in nutrients, protection from insects or diseases or other types of care, rely on our plant care and fertilizing products. Alongside basic supplies, such as gardening gloves, watering cans and hand tools, we offer more targeted plant care products, depending on what your plants need.
For instance, soil monitoring tools allow you to test and track soil conditions, helping you to identify what’s lacking and what your plants require. Plant insect and disease control products also keep pests at bay, protecting them from diseases and bites.
Other plant care products include:
Plant Food
While soil amendments work to improve soil conditions, allowing plants to receive nutrients, plant food works a little differently. Instead, it adds nutrients to the soil, giving plants exactly what they need to grow and thrive.
According to Shanks, “A feeding schedule will vary based on the type of plant food you use.” So, if your plant food is liquid or more water-soluble, you’ll need to feed plants more frequently. Always be sure to check your plant food label for expiration dates to see how often you should replenish products.
Fertilizers
Fertilizers work similarly to plant food and soil amendments in that they help to enhance the condition of your soil and deliver added nutrients to plants. However, fertilizers add specific ingredients, including nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, which are all essential to allowing plants to complete natural processes, such as photosynthesis and building cell walls.
“Typically, a 3-1-2 ratio is considered ideal for most plants, but this can vary based on the type of plant or its stage of growth,” Shanks states.
You should begin adding fertilizers to garden spaces after planting, unless using a slow-release option, which you would apply before planting.
Compost
Having a compost bin allows you to make your own compost, which is a type of soil amendment used to improve soils and retain essential nutrients. Consider adding compost to soils early in the spring to give your new plants a health boost. Or, apply them in the fall to ensure soils are ready and optimal by the time the next growing season comes around.
Plant Stakes, Ties and Cages
Some plants, such as tomatoes or newly planted trees, need stakes, ties or cages to ensure they grow upright and properly. While you can add these right after planting, you can also implement them once plants grow a little more.
“If done properly, staking provides stability until the tree can support itself,” explains Shanks. “However, if staking is done poorly or for too long, it can do far more harm than good.”
Shop Greenhouses and Related Supplies
Maybe you’re not looking to start an outdoor garden, but you still want your own private space to carry out your favorite activity. Or, perhaps you want to grow specific plants, but your area or region doesn’t accommodate them. Either way, having a greenhouse in your home, backyard or patio can be an ideal solution, allowing you to care for plants in a more controlled environment. But depending on how you want to use your greenhouse, one of our different types may work better, such as:p
- Hobby greenhouses: These are designed to be smaller, giving gardening enthusiasts of all skill levels somewhere to learn their craft, even if they have limited space.
- Portable and mini greenhouses: These are lightweight and smaller than traditional greenhouses, allowing you to move setups with ease and fit them in smaller spaces, such as apartments.
- Commercial greenhouses: These are larger, more industrial-grade setups, perfect for professional landscapers, farmers and gardeners alike.
What’s more, we carry a variety of greenhouse parts and accessories, from lights to replacement covers to watering systems and roof vents, allowing you to outfit your greenhouse with everything you need to start growing.
Make the Most of Your Springtime Gardening with Tools from Tractor Supply
Whether you’re looking to grow fresh fruits, vegetables or herb plants, we have all the tools and supplies to help your garden spaces thrive. When it comes to living Life Out Here, we understand exactly what you need to care for your gardens and greenhouses, which is why our Garden Center offers a variety of accessories, from watering cans to hand tools and more. To learn more about our selection, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.