Here are some tips on how to get started growing Vegetables in Sarasota and Venice. 

Tip one.  Make sure that your growing area has good drainage, drainage for growing vegetables is very important, hard rains can easily ruin your garden if the water has no where to drain to.  When Picking your area think back if you have seen standing water in that area, take some soil samples to see if the ground is saturated, also take a soil ample to your local extension service and get the information on your Venice, Sarasota planting site, to see what exatctly is in the soil.  Most l;ikely you will have enough phosphate, nitrogen and potasium will most likely be needed.

After picking your site and checking drainage, along with finding any soil ammendments that may be needed, add good natural soil enhancers, such as oak leaves, grass clippings and such.  These types of natural soil ammendments in Venice can replace man made fertilizer, and are so much better for the environment.  Remember man made fertilizer in Venice and Florida is ruining our environment, the heavy nitrogen that is applied to mostly St Augustine grasses is causing outbreaks of red tide, causing massive fish kills, and the weed control we apply to the turf is polluting our gfround wter, so installing  vegetables in many of the landscape beds at the same time removing nitrogen hungry turf grass is a win win for us and the environment.

Tip two, growing your vegetables from seed can save you alot of money, this years already started plants in your local garden center is the highest Ive ever seen them.  Paying $3.00 for a tomato plant is jsut too much for me, there is so many good books on starting your plants from seed.  Remember growing vegetables is not hard at all and the more yu garden the less stressed your life will be, gardening is Dr. Recommended, and the vegetables you will grow are so healthy, no pesticides or dirty water, and it may take a season or two to get your garden just right but all the planning and work will be a great pay off.

For more information visit us at www.stateoftheartlandscaping.com

Whether your landscape desires are modest or more ambitious, certain factors are critical to the success of your plans.

1. Venice and Sarasota have very sandy soil which leads to poor water retention and cation exchange capacities (CEC). Always add soil amendments when planting.

2. The cute little shrub you bought at the nursey may in five years become much larger than you envisioned. Always be aware of the growth habit and estimated size at maturity of any plants you postion near your home, driveway or hardscapes.

3. Newly planted trees and shrubs need to stay moist for the first month or two while they are establishing a root system in their new location. After establishment most trees and shrubs require little, if any, supplemental watering.

If you are unsure as to which types and varietes of plants would best suit your needs, contact a Venice FL landscapers for advice.