Articles Tagged "Landscaping"

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.

The return of springtime has our real estate agents thinking about gardening again! Whether you have a huge yard with lots of room for planting, or simply want to try out container gardening on your back patio, you might be surprised how much you can grow. 

Did you know that some of the most common fruits, vegetables, and herbs can be regrown from kitchen scraps? It's true! Those kitchen scraps can create a fun project that entertains and educate kids, and gives your old veggies a new lease on life!

Are you wondering which plants can be regrown? You'll be amazed… 

• Onions. Members of the onion family (including garlic, scallions, and leeks) are some of the easiest vegetables to regrow from scraps. Save a small piece of the base of the bulb or stem, with the roots still attached, and place it in a shallow container of water. New shoots will start to come up very quickly, and you can harvest them as needed, or plant the whole new bulb in your garden. 
• Potatoes. You've probably had the experience of leaving potatoes in the bag too long and seeing them start to sprout. To get them to regrow, all you have to do is cut potatoes into pieces so that each piece has at least one "eye" (the indentations that the sprouts grow out of). Plant the pieces in the soil with the eyes facing up. 
• Celery. Simply cut off the stalks so that you have an inch or two left at the base. Set the base in a shallow dish with a bit of warm water at the bottom, leave it in a warm, sunny place, and wait for new leaves to start. Once they do, you can replant the celery in the garden, where it will become a new, full-sized plant. 
• Carrots. Keep the tops off your carrots. Just place the tops in water, and they will start to grow new roots, as well as greens that you can harvest as needed. 
• Leafy Greens. Lettuce and most other head-forming greens can be regrown simply by keeping the rooting portion of the head and leaving it in water so that new leaves can grow. Lettuce and bok choy can also be regrown from a single leaf. Just place the leaf in a bowl with a little water in a sunny spot. Mist the leaf every day to keep it moist, and eventually, new roots will start to grow. 
• Herbs. Many herbs can be grown from scraps too, including basil, cilantro, and mint. All you have to do is place 4 inches of the stem in a glass of water so that the leaves are above the water. Roots will start to grow, and soon you will have whole plants that can be transferred to the garden. 

Regrowing veggies in your kitchen is fun, but when you're ready to expand your gardening horizons, we're here to help. Our team has helped countless families find beautiful Bradenton homes for sale and Sarasota homes for sale, including houses with ample room for backyard gardening! 

Contact us today to learn more about life in the Bradenton and Sarasota areas, and talk to our team about finding your dream home.

Landscaping can be an easy and fairly inexpensive way to increase the value of your home and add some much-needed curb appeal. When our REALTORS® are showing you Sarasota homes for sale, you'll certainly notice landscaping features you simply adore. Landscaping is often one of the first things you notice about a property, so keeping yours in top shape can really pay off.

• Add or update some basic features. After a while, just about anything can look a little outdated. Clothes, décor and yes, even landscaping. Don't be afraid to change things up a bit. Change the type or color of stone on a walkway. Swap out the plants in outdoor planters or pots for something a different shape, size or color. Add flowering shrubs or a tree. Add a fresh layer of mulch. Is your landscape missing some of these basic features? Feel free to add them to give your yard an updated look. If you're starting from scratch, you may want to invest in some mature plants to make the landscape look more established. Make sure any updates match the style of the home for a more cohesive look.
  
  
• Pay attention to design. The best landscape design will make your yard look interesting no matter what time of year. Go for a variety of plants, colors, and textures but not so much that things look chaotic or haphazardly thrown together. Using native plants is always an excellent idea. They are adapted to local conditions so they cost less to maintain, which means they'll thrive with little effort. A few well-placed trees can be a very desirable feature. They offer shade for lounging and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, they can even make your home more energy efficient. They're an eco-friendly feature, which is important to some buyers.
  
  
• Clean it up. Hardscape features such as decorative or retaining walls, walkways, decks, and patios should be repaired if necessary and power washed. Get rid of algae, leaves, and debris in water features and change the filters. Prune any shrubs or trees that need it.
  
  
• Lawn care is essential. A plush, green lawn looks inviting. The good news is that lawn care is fairly simple and budget friendly. Mow, fertilize, rake, aerate, and weed. Keeping the lawn edged makes everything look nice and neat. In addition to making your property look amazing, a well-kept lawn gives your home an easy to maintain vibe, a plus with potential buyers.
  
  
• Add a deck or patio. Decks and patios are among the most popular features potential homeowners look for. They're inviting, relaxing and great for entertaining. If your house doesn't have one, consider adding it. The project cost can often be recouped entirely when it's time to sell. ­

There are plenty of beautifully landscaped and well maintained Sarasota and Bradenton homes for sale. Contact Wagner Realty today to find your new dream home.