Garden friendly community/neighborhood in Venice/South Sarasota County area? (South Venice: buy, live)

[Sunshine Rules]

In addition to the property having to be zoned for agricultural use, if the property is located within a subdivision with deed restrictions, read the deed restrictions before buying there if you want to keep chickens or other animals considered farm animals. That is because some deed restricted neighborhoods, even if "out in the country," will prohibit most farm animals, including chickens. Oak Ford is one such community that prohibits chickens. You wouldn't want to buy a home with the intention of raising a few chickens only to find out after closing that the HOA is now targeting you for deed restriction violations. It only takes one unhappy neighbor to start that ball rolling.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Sunshine Rules

In addition to the property having to be zoned for agricultural use, if the property is located within a subdivision with deed restrictions, read the deed restrictions before buying there if you want to keep chickens or other animals considered farm animals. That is because some deed restricted neighborhoods, even if "out in the country," will prohibit most farm animals, including chickens. Oak Ford is one such community that prohibits chickens. You wouldn't want to buy a home with the intention of raising a few chickens only to find out after closing that the HOA is now targeting you for deed restriction violations. It only takes one unhappy neighbor to start that ball rolling.

Good point

[LindaIL]

Thanks SoFLGal and SunshineRules! Good info.

[coastal chic]

In my neighborhood (North Englewood, unincorporated Sarasota County, all lots 1 acre+), there are a couple houses that have horses and we are not zoned agricultural. I've also seen a peahen and a chicken a couple times crossing our road. I think in some areas, although not technically "allowed", neighbors turn a blind eye and no one would report it.

[LindaIL]

Thank you Coastal Chic!

[photoman_6]

Originally Posted by Naturool

Thank you, everyone, for the recommendations. Will have to take a closer look at all the communities mentioned, but if well and/or septic are required, it won't work, I'm afraid.

An idea came to mind. What if I had a large netted patio/lanai and turned that into an urban garden by planting vegetables and fruit trees in small and large plant containers. It would provide the same end result as a garden would in producing organic vegetables and fruits but not affect the exterior/landscape of the house. No tilling of the land and gardening in the back yard but gardening in pots and planters in the back patio/lanai. No change to the outside landscape but lots of plants may be visible in the netted patio/lanai. Could HOA restrict me from having such an urban garden?

you'd need to increase the amount of watering, since container gardening uses a lot more water. You could try drip gardening, but overall, you need to water daily

[Naturool]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

When I answered last time I was in Alaska answering from my phone. Here are a few ideas of places to scout out in the Venice and surrounding area: East Gate, Gulf Shores, Hourglass Lake, South Venice, maybe some of the Sorrento neighborhoods (haven't checked their restrictions for fruit trees), Venice Gardens and Venice East, Blackburn Shores, Dona Bay, Pinebrook, Golden Beach.

If you're willing to travel into the Englewood area you'd have a few more options-Pelican Shores, Overbrook Gardens, Manasota Key, Lemon Bay Park, Grove City, maybe Englewood Acres, Englewood Farm Acres, Bay Vista, Englewood Gardens, Horton Estates, Oxford Manor, Pine Cove, Rock Creek and Chadwicks.

The above areas have city water and sewer or a portion of the community has it. Most would likely be OK with a fence or small garden but that would need to be verified.

I have over 60 exotic fruit trees and I live in the Englewood area. Gardening is fun

Thanks for sharing the long list, SoFLGal...and Wow, you have so many fruit trees! I'm trying to get a plant to grow from a seed of a Mamey Sapote. It's amazingly fun to watch the little root come out of the seed. Still too soon to place it into dirt, but it's exciting to see it grow little by little. Hopefully, one day it will become a plant with leaves and fruits.

Thanks for all the comments, everyone. I have lots more to explore and to think about now.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Naturool

Thanks for sharing the long list, SoFLGal...and Wow, you have so many fruit trees! I'm trying to get a plant to grow from a seed of a Mamey Sapote. It's amazingly fun to watch the little root come out of the seed. Still too soon to place it into dirt, but it's exciting to see it grow little by little. Hopefully, one day it will become a plant with leaves and fruits.

Thanks for all the comments, everyone. I have lots more to explore and to think about now.

Yeah I got a little crazy with the trees and I live right by the beach where the soil is less then perfect. Here's a small list of a few trees that I have. Not sure if I've shared this before:
Soursop
Cherry of the Rio Grande
Coconut Cream Mango
Carrie Mango
Strawberry Tree
Moringa Tree
Sea Grape
Toboago Pink Custard Apple
Fig
Passion Vine Blue
Papaya
Macadamia
Jakfruit
Star Fruit
Miricale Fruit
Red Wax Jambu
Longan Berry
Black Sapote
Orange
Key Lime
Grapefruit
Peach
Avocado
Hass Avocado
Lemon
Pomegrante
Persimmon
Pear
Sour Apple
Grape
Everbearing Mulberry
Blackberry
Lychee
Dragon Fruit
Ice Cream Banana
Pink Guava
Sapodilla Saleswood
Peanut Butter Tree
Green Sapote
Egg Fruit
Swiss Cheese Plant
Malabar Nut
Blue Butterfly Pea
Jabuticaba
Kiwi Vine
Raspberry

Then I have various tomato, onion, peppers and other stuff. There's a lady and Sarasota and one in South Venice that I buy all of my trees off of. They have the more unusual things and their prices are reasonable.

[Naturool]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Yeah I got a little crazy with the trees and I live right by the beach where the soil is less then perfect. Here's a small list of a few trees that I have. Not sure if I've shared this before:
Soursop
Cherry of the Rio Grande
Coconut Cream Mango
Carrie Mango.....
Then I have various tomato, onion, peppers and other stuff. There's a lady and Sarasota and one in South Venice that I buy all of my trees off of. They have the more unusual things and their prices are reasonable.

What a nice long list, SoFLGal! You have an orchard.
Hope they're producing plenty of fruits for you to enjoy.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by LindaIL

SoFLGal or anyone else that might know....Would any of the areas that you mentioned above allow chickens/coup in a fenced backyard or is this area Not Rural enough? If not, which areas, closest to beach, near the Venice area, (that have min. of 1/2 to 1 acre but no more than two acres), would allow chickens? Thanks!

Here's more on the local chicken/rooster saga...
Rogue rooster ruffles feathers in Osprey subdivision | Sarasota | Your Observer