Roxanne & Shannon Moore-Realtors, North Port FL

~Southwest Florida Green Thumb: A Guide to Gardening in Southwest Florida~

I do not know a ton about gardening or horticulture, so I’m no expert. However, I keep hearing people say that most green thumbs turn brown here in Southwest Florida. It seems to me that most of Southwest Florida is pretty green, and I see a lot of absolutely breathtaking lawns and landscaping, so I decided to dig a little deeper and consult a few professional’s websites on the subject. You’ll be glad to know that green thumbs can thrive in Southwest Florida! The truth is that you just have to educate yourself a little on the climate and types of soil we have here.

When you think of “soil”, sand probably doesn’t come to mind. But in Southwest Florida, sand is one of the prominent soil types and if you hope to have a thriving green thumb, learning how to turn sand into an ideal growing medium is necessary. In case you’re a non-expert, like me, sand is not great for plants because it has no nutritional value and water passes right through it. So how do you counteract this? Area experts say that the best thing to do with sand is mix an equal amount of organic matter in with it. What happens is that the organic matter sort of overtakes the sand, and makes it more of a suitable soil in which your plants should do well. Be sure to add organic matter to the sand annually to ensure a replenishing amount of nutrients.

Now that your sand has been effectively turned into soil, you will want to decide what to plant. There are certain types of plants that thrive in Southwest Florida more than others. Due to long periods of drought that Southwest Florida endures sometimes, most plants that thrive here are plants that can do well in full sunlight with minimal water. However, if you’ve got a personal flower garden or a potted plant that you plan on taking care of more specifically, feel free to choose just about anything tropical! Because of the heat, anything in direct sunlight will not stay moist for long so if you are choosing a plant that enjoys full sun and constantly moist roots, it would be advisable to get some kind of automatic watering machine.

If you’re looking for a hedge or shrub to plant in your yard, there are plenty of options other than palm varieties (although those are hardy and beautiful). Common hedges and shrubs in Southwest Florida are plants such as Seagrape, Buttonwood and Pittosporum. If you’re under the impression that it is hard to get flowering plants to bloom in Southwest Florida, you should check into plants like bromeliad and oleander, which will bloom beautifully and keep their blooms for most of the year. Most types of lilies will grow here as well, and most are perfectly happy in full sun. Aloe, begonias and impatients are also plants that will grow with a little work in Southwest Florida.

The important thing to remember about the climate is that the magic word is “tropical”! Anything that says it grows in a tropical climate should work just fine in Southwest Florida. The plant life in Southwest Florida is unique and colorful and allows any green thumb to create a beautiful array of plant life.

Riverwood Golf and Country Club in Port Charlotte, Florida

Along a three mile stretch of the Myakka River, between Englewood and Port Charlotte is where the Riverwood Golf and Country Club can be found. It's proximity to services, medical facilities, entertainment, airports, beaches and the interstate make the location very desirable. Sprawling over 1,300 acres in Port Charlotte Florida, Riverwood Golf and Country Club is a luxurious place to call home.

Complete with a private gulf beach at Manasota Key, Riverwood Golf and Country Club is home to some of the most sought after amenities in Southwest Florida; and the private beach is only the beginning! Residents of Riverwood Golf and Country Club will enjoy the gated communities fitness center, library, conference center, fully staffed activity center and a heated junior Olympic pool and spa. There are walking trails and bike paths to be enjoyed, or you can play an organized sport such as tennis or croquet. Don't forget, once you work up an appetite dancing in the ballroom, be sure to stop at the delicious Riverwood Grille for a quick lunch or a luxurious dinner!

Riverwood Golf and Country Club wouldn't be the same without GOLF! This championship par 72 course, designed by Gene Bates, has been touted as one of the best courses in the state. Golf Digest Magazine rated 4 and a half stars for the Riverwood Golf Course. Don't sweat it if your golf skills aren't quite up to par...Riverwood is pleased to offer lessons and a putting green for practice.

There are over 1200 exquisite homes in Riverwood Golf and Country Club, and all are protected 24/7 by a guard at the entrance of the gated community, and the community's wide sidewalks and ample street lights. Perfectly appointed landscaping is overseen by the homeowners association and you can enjoy all the benefits of this completely maintenance-free community.

Riverwood Golf and Country Club offers several different home styles that appeal to people in all walks of life. Everyone is welcome here - young families, retirees, active adults - anyone who enjoys the finer things in life. To accommodate the needs of the growing community, Riverwood Golf and Country Club houses single family homes, twin villas, carriage houses and estate homes. You're sure to find the perfect fit!

Click here to see homes for sale in Riverwood Golf and Country Club - You'll fall in love with this community!

Straddling Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, Florida, nestled in between the beautiful Peace River and popular Kings Highway is Deep Creek - a gorgeous deed restricted community. I have had clients who, having just moved to this area, didn't know that Deep Creek was anything more than a creek! The truth is that it's so much more...

Deep Creek is bordered by the Deep Creek Preserve, which is a 2000-acre park with miles of trails that wind through the beautiful forest. Plans for the future include horse trails and campsites to be enjoyed in Deep Creek Preserve. Deep Creek has wide open spaces and direct access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands. While Deep Creek is known for its natural beauty and freshwater lakes, don't forget about the golf course! Designed by Mark McCumber, a renowned golf course designer, the course found at Deep Creek is both fun and challenging.

Deep Creek is in the perfect location; it's just off of I-75, so it's only a hop, skip and a jump to airports, hospitals and cities like Tampa, Sarasota and Fort Myers. Southwest Florida has some of the best shopping and dining in the state, and you'll have it all at your back door. Deep Creek is very close to schools, grocery stores, hospitals and parks, too! Deep Creek straddles two very nice cities, so you will always have multiple options for amenities, activities and common areas.

The homes that can be found in Deep Creek can be found in all shapes, sizes and styles. Some of the smallest properties (some are less than 1,000 square feet) make great vacation homes, and are condominiums, townhouses and villas. There are also single family homes, which range in size as well from modest to grand!

If you can't wait to see if Deep Creek has homes that suit your needs, simply click here to see homes for sale in Deep Creek. You'll be glad that you looked into this amazing community!

Port Charlotte Florida Real Estate

Port Charlotte, Florida is located in Charlotte County in Southwest Florida. Located close to big cities such as Sarasota and Fort Myers, Port Charlotte has been recognized time and again as a wonderful place to live. Most notably, Money Magazine awarded Port Charlotte a spot on their list of Best Places to Live.

Port Charlotte is overflowing with outdoor activities. There are 16 golf courses, plenty of spots to put your boat in the water (or take a ride on someone else's!) and tons of great fishing spots. Port Charlotte is the perfect place to participate in outdoor activities, too, with its frequent breezes and average year-round temperate of 73 degrees. This is truly paradise!

This piece of paradise has room for all and provides an equal interest for families, retirees, tourists and vacationers. The reason for this is that in Port Charlotte, one can find any lifestyle desired, from luxurious estates to family oriented neighborhoods and maintenance-free condos and town homes. There is such a diversity of homes in Port Charlotte, it is certain that you will find exactly what you're looking for. In the eastern part of the county, ranches, farms and groves are spread throughout the area, while in the main part of Port Charlotte, residents and visitors enjoy a community atmosphere that has plenty to do and see. Community events and parks are often the center of Port Charlotte's activities.

Port Charlotte boasts the most affordable waterfront properties in Southwest Florida, partially because the beauty of the winding rivers and waterways are in abundance here. Port Charlotte is home to the Peace River, the Myakka River, and an additional 165 miles of man-made waterways that wind through the beautiful Port Charlotte landscape. All these waterways make it easy to hop in your boat and motor your way to the Peace River and fish right in the Gulf! Charlotte Harbor, just south of Port Charlotte, is home to one of the largest marine estuaries in the world with over 219 miles of natural shoreline. This ensures that you'll see an abundance of wildlife; pelicans, cormorants, osprey, seagulls, dolphin and an occasional bald eagle are just a few of the animals you may come across.

If you prefer activities of the indoor variety, be sure to check out the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, and the Charlotte County Historical Center.

The real estate market in Port Charlotte is one of the few real estate markets anywhere that is continuing to expand in this economy. There is a lot of new construction and renovation of existing homes. There are gated communities, deed restricted communities, waterfront homes, maintenance-free properties and much more.

If you're looking for an amazing community like Port Charlotte to buy a home or vacation property, we can help you find the perfect one! Click here to see homes for sale in Port Charlotte, Florida.

If you lived at the Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, Florida, you could say that you have the Fountain of Youth right in your own backyard!

Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, Florida is world renowned for it's health and fitness environment. For Native Americans, the Warm Mineral Springs area was a sacred place for healing and Ponce de Leon went so far as to call it the Fountain of Youth; as a result, a lot of interesting artifacts have been removed from this area, helping us learn about the people who enjoyed the Warm Mineral Springs before we did.

The springs maintain a temperature of 87 degrees and continuously bubbles up from the ground. It has soothing properties and the water contains more minerals than any other discovered site: magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, sulfate, sodium, bicarbonate. These minerals are known to ease bone and joint problems and soothe skin conditions.

The Warm Mineral Springs are a popular place to settle down due to the healing powers and relaxing atmosphere. Currently, you can find a mixture of new and gentley used homes and duplexes, but there is also a master planned community in the works called The Springs.

The Springs will be a community unlike any other with a town center featuring over 20 retail stores with villas attached for business owners, staff and guests. These retail stores will include botiques, galleries, a travel agency, fine dining, and a general store! 270 residential units are planned, and they will be a mixture of single family homes, villas and condos. There are also plans for an art community, where artists from around the world can live, work, play and teach in private studios. Residents will have free daily access to the Warm Mineral Springs, and for an added luxury, there will be a Fountain of Youth European Spa. The Springs, when it is completed, will truly be the perfect place to live for anyone who enjoys an active, healthy lifestyle.

Click here to see homes for sale in Warm Mineral Springs!