Gardening success often depends on the quality of your soil and we can’t express how important that is in Idaho where soil around the Treasure Valley is often alkaline. Alkaline soil can hinder plant growth and nutrient absorption. Alkaline soil, where the pH level is above 7, means it’s less acidic and often rich in calcium carbonate. This condition can cause nutrient deficiencies, especially in iron, manganese, and phosphorus, leading to poor plant health. Fortunately, ther

A beautiful living room Creating a beautiful home interior is more than just picking the right furniture. It is about crafting a space that reflects your personality and meets your needs. Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to refresh your current space, there are many ways to achieve stunning results. In this post, we will explore practical tips and tricks to help you design a home that is both stylish and functional. Understand Your Space Before you start buyin

Cottage garden   Creating a beautiful garden space is not just about the plants and flowers. It is also about how you decorate that space. Unique home decor can transform your garden into a personal oasis. Whether you have a small balcony or a sprawling backyard, the right decor can enhance your outdoor experience. The Home & Garden Store is here to help you achieve that goal. In this post, we will explore various ways to add unique touches to your garden. From whimsical gard

Garden Supplies for the home Gardening is more than just a hobby; it is a way to connect with nature and create beauty in your surroundings. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting out, having the right supplies can make all the difference. In this post, we will explore garden supplies and nursery products that can help you cultivate a thriving garden. And at The Home & Garden Store, we have the tools and knowledge to help you with all your gardening needs. As mo

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

Slugs can be a gardener’s nightmare. These slimy pests feast on leaves, stems, and fruits, leaving behind holes and damage that can ruin your plants. If you want a thriving garden, controlling slugs is essential. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to keep slugs at bay without harming your plants or the environment. This guide will walk you through practical and proven slug control methods to protect your garden and enjoy healthy, vibrant plants. If you need further he

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

Hobo spiders are common in many homes and gardens, and while they are not usually aggressive, their presence can be unsettling. These spiders build funnel-shaped webs and tend to hide in dark, undisturbed areas. If you want to keep your living or working space safe and spider-free, understanding how to trap and manage hobo spiders is essential. This article will guide you through practical and effective methods to control these spiders and maintain a comfortable environment.

Milkweed – A Monarch Butterfly's Best Friend Each year, The Home & Garden Store sees customers requesting milkweed. But what makes this plant so favored by enthusiastic gardeners? Milkweed contains a toxin called cardenolides. Caterpillars store these toxins in their bodies. This makes them unpalatable to birds, offering protection to both the caterpillar and the adult butterfly. Additionally, milkweed supplies the nutrients needed to sustain a healthy environment. Before cat

As the days get warmer, our thoughts turn to the blossoms of summer. It's the perfect time to get your hands dirty in the garden! Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, summer still offers a wealth of opportunities to sow seeds and grow vibrant plants. This guide will provide you with essential insights and tips to make your gardening experience enjoyable and productive. Summer Gardening Advice Summer is the season of renewal, and it's also the time to p

The Home & Garden Store - A small garden center with lots of variety   Petunias are one of the most popular annual plants we sell at The Home & Garden Store.  They thrive in full sun and are quite easy to grow and care for.  To obtain good blooming and keep them looking as they are here at the garden center, there are a couple of things that we suggest. 1.       Petunias like full sun and adequate watering!  This isn’t just important for petunias, but for many sun plants.  2.

Improper care of a lawn can lead to fairy ring.

Shop the Home & Garden Store for the best plants! We realize you have many choices when deciding where to shop for your gardening projects and services; Of course, there are other nurseries around Boise as well as several large box stores and most nurseries will have a few knowledgeable staff members as well as those who may be in training.  The box stores likely will have no one with any real experience regarding plants and gardening products but will have good prices, givin

Sunlight can add beauty to any landscape  Of great importance is the amount of sunlight plants receive throughout the day. Plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas can not tolerate our intense, hot afternoon sun and needs to be in the shade no later than 2:00, preferably sooner. On the other hand, trees such as maple or honey locust need a full day’s sun to look great. Some plants grow reasonably well in either sun or shade, examples are limelight hydrangeas and ice plant. Th

Grow your own herbs If you are a plant lover but lack a green thumb, indoor herb gardening might be the perfect hobby for you. Not only is it a great way to add some greenery to your living space, but it also allows you to grow fresh herbs right in your own home. In this "Ultimate Guide to Indoor Herb Gardening", we will provide you with all the information you need to get started on your indoor herb garden. The first step in starting an indoor herb garden is to choose the ri

Natural Guard "DIATOMACEOUS EARTH" It’s the time of year when gardeners are seeing their garden being riddled by insects and we have an effective yet safe method of controlling many of the insects found in the garden. Our nursery manager has over 49 years in the nursery industry and he certainly recommends Natural Guard Diatomaceous Earth as an effective way to control crawling insects. It’s a natural contact insecticide that works by causing abrasions on insects as they com

Our 4 step IFA program: Step 1.  Crabgrass Preventer, Step 2.  Weed & Feed, Step 3.  Spring & Summer,  Step 4.  Fall & Winter. Get Ready to Fertilize If you don’t remember how much fertilizer you need or haven’t calculated how much fertilizer your yard needs, start by  determining the square footage of your yard  then divide that number by 200 to get the number of pounds of fertilizer needed to cover your lawn. Yard width (ft) × Yard length (ft) ÷ 200 = lb. = number of pounds

Since the death of my son Dustin, I haven't felt like posting gardening information on my website. I'll try to do better. Charlie

Dustin - Picture taken when he was about 3 years old Dustin around 1978 My son, Dustin passed away on March 10, 2025. He had a heart transplant a few weeks ago and seemed to be doing fine, but died unexpetedly this week. Because of all the medication Dustin was taking for his heart condition, his kidneys also failed him and thus he was on dialysis 3 to 5 times each week. A few days prior to his death, he also caught RSV. Dustin was 49 years old. The picture above was one wh

IFA Fertilizer Program