Gardening

Spring is upon us, and if you're like our real estate agents, you're probably eager to start gardening. We always believe vegetables taste so much better when they're grown in your garden. Since Florida receives tons of sun, rain, and humidity all year long, gardening in the Sunshine State can be rewarding and challenging. 

April is National Garden Month, so we thought we'd take the time to go over a few essential tips for making your Florida garden a success.

• Gardening in the Spring
  Certain plants thrive in Florida's spring weather, which starts around mid-February. If you're looking to add vegetables to your garden, consider lettuce, cucumber, sweet corn, cauliflower, peas, tomatoes, zucchini, and squash. 
  
  Some of our favorite Sarasota homes for sale have beautiful flower gardens that they plant in early spring. If you're focused on flowers this year, you'll find that Hydrangeas, Lilacs, Lilies of the Valley, and cherry blossoms are all great choices for the warm Florida spring.
  
  
• Gardening in the Summer
  Hot weather sets in around late March, but things start to get steamy in May. However, you can still plant and garden in the summertime. Sweet potatoes, peas, and okra are all vegetables that do well in the summer.
  
  If you do want to take a break from gardening in the summer, you can use these months as an opportunity to solarize your garden. During this process, you can clear out your plants, water the soil, cover your garden in plastic, and allow it to sit under direct sun exposure for about four weeks. Solarization will lead to healthier soil while killing pests and weeds.
   
• Gardening in the Fall
  One of the great things about Florida is gardening season doesn't end in the fall. In fact, it's a common time to plant vegetable gardens. There are many plants that thrive in mild Florida autumn weather. Brussel Sprouts, as well as root vegetables like radishes and carrots, are great choices for the fall. Fertilizer that has high Phosphorus value helps keep roots strong and healthy.
  
  
• Gardening in the Winter
  Areas of Florida have a traditional winter, and temperatures drop below freezing, but you can garden well into the winter months in our corner of Florida. In most cases, you'll want to plant your vegetables around October or early November. Some vegetables that grow well in cooler winter months include beets, broccoli, and cauliflower. 
  
  Leafy green vegetables such as kale and arugula also grow well during Florida winters. If growing leafy greens, we recommend using a fertilizer that has a high nitrogen value. With good soil, sun exposure, and regular watering, there is no reason to think you couldn't keep your garden active through February.

Keeping Your Garden in Good Shape
It might go without saying, but proper care is essential for creating a good environment for your plants to flourish. Don't forget to fertilizer regularly, keep your plants watered, and keep pests and weeds out of the garden. For inspiration on how to take great care of your plants, check out some of the gardens at these Bradenton homes for sale.

For more tips on gardening, landscaping, or boosting your home's exterior, contact us today.