Gardening enthusiasts in the Treasure Valley often find alkaline soil to be a challenge due to the region's unique climatic conditions and soil composition. When the soil's pH exceeds 7, which is nearly all of the Boise area, it's considered alkaline, restricting nutrient availability and hindering plant growth. Knowing how to amend alkaline soil is crucial for cultivating a garden where plants can effectively absorb the necessary nutrients that make a plant healthy. This gui

Pruning trees is an essential skill for maintaining their health, safety, and appearance. While basic pruning can be straightforward, mastering advanced tree cutting techniques allows you to enhance tree structure, promote growth, and prevent disease. This guide explores expert methods and practical tips to help you become proficient in tree care. Understanding Tree Cutting Techniques for Optimal Growth Tree cutting techniques are more than just trimming branches. They involv

Houseplants at The Home & Garden Store Boise, Idaho, is not just known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture; it’s rapidly becoming a hotspot for houseplant lovers. With a unique climate and a strong community spirit, Boise offers a special indoor gardening experience that can turn any home into a green sanctuary. Whether you’re an experienced plant parent or exploring the world of houseplants for the first time, this guide will help you navigate a lively houseplant

Mulch & Soil Calculator: Determine Exactly How Much You Need: Not sure how much mulch, soil, or gravel to order for your project? Whether you’re refreshing a small garden bed or tackling a full outdoor renovation, our Mulch & Soil Calculator  makes it easy to determine the perfect amount of product, quickly and accurately. Simply enter your bed’s length , width , and depth , and the calculator will tell you exactly how many cubic yards  of material you’ll need.

Understanding Boise's Unique Climate Boise’s high-desert climate can be tough on shrubs and trees during the winter months. Cold temperatures, dry winds, and fluctuating freeze–thaw cycles can all damage plants if they aren’t protected properly. Common Winter Threats Sun, wind, and cold: These elements can dry out evergreen foliage, damage bark, and kill buds or branches. Snow and ice: Heavy snow can bend or break branches. De-icing salts: These are often used on roads and

When I first started gardening, I quickly realized how much there was to learn. From choosing the right plants to understanding soil types and seasonal care, the journey can feel overwhelming. That’s when I discovered the value of following local garden center blogs. These blogs became my go-to resource for practical advice, and inspiration. If you’re looking to create a thriving garden or revitalize your outdoor space, let me share why keeping up with a local garden center b

Gardening can a year-round adventure, and each season brings its own unique joys and challenges. Whether you’re planting vibrant flowers in spring or preparing your garden for winter’s chill, knowing what to do and when can make all the difference. I’ve gathered some practical advice to help you nurture your outdoor space throughout the year. Let’s dive into the seasonal garden care tips that will keep your garden thriving and beautiful. Spring: Time to Wake Up Your Garden Al

Gardeners sometimes ask “ Is it important to wrap our trees and if so, when should I wrap them?” Yes , we are in a “high dessert” part of the country, making it extremely important to protect young trees from sun damage during the winter months.  Every spring, folks come in and tell me that damage has occurred to their newly planted tree.  I ask them which side of the tree trunk is damaged. If it's on the west to southwest side of the trunk, I can say without even seeing a

Most avid gardeners know that fall is a great time to fertilize the lawn as well shrubs and trees.  It seems that every manufacture of fertilizer has a fall fertilizer available and if you notice, not a one of them is the same formula. That may lead you to ask, “What is really the best fertilizer to use this time of year?”.  The owner of The Home & Garden Store has been in the landscape and nursery industry for over 49 years and has tried many brands of fertilizers over the

Pruning trees is an essential gardening task that promotes healthy growth, improves structure, and enhances the overall appearance of your landscape. However, knowing the right time to prune is just as important as the pruning itself. Pruning at the wrong time can stress the tree, reduce flowering, or even invite disease. This article will guide you through the best tree pruning schedule to ensure your trees thrive year-round. Understanding the Tree Pruning Schedule A well-pl

The Home & Garden Store firmly believes that pruning is an essential gardening skill that will help in maintaining the health, appearance, and safety of your garden. Proper pruning encourages strong growth, improves fruit production, and helps in preventing disease. However, pruning can be intimidating without the right knowledge. This guide will walk you through expert tree pruning techniques that every gardener should know to keep their trees thriving. Understanding Tree Pr

Maintaining a great-looking landscape Recently, someone asked about the typical size of a Bruns Spruce. We provided the size range from the sales tag, which stated that the Bruns White Spruce typically grows to a height of 7 to 9 feet. This range is often used by nurseries to give buyers an idea of what to expect when buying a plant. However, the discussion became intriguing when she mentioned visiting another nursery where the same Bruns Spruce was listed with a much larger

Serving our military...

Get to know what zone you're in...