Garden friendly community/neighborhood in Venice/South Sarasota County area? (Englewood: houses, buying)

[Naturool]

Originally Posted by coastal chic

I don't know if the HOA could restrict you from lanai gardening, but I think most plants require pollination to produce fruit. Screens typically keep the bees out! There are some new varieties of "patio citrus" that don't require cross pollination, though. Maybe that's the new trend.

I'm still new to gardening, but I heard that in case there are no bees, a fan may be used to help with the pollination. Guess I'll have to do a little research to see what's possible.

[coastal chic]

Also check out the area surrounding Manasota Beach Rd in North Englewood, west of 776. I love that area! No deed restrictions, they just installed sewer, and you can bike to the beach! Close to Venice for shopping.

[Naturool]

Originally Posted by coastal chic

Also check out the area surrounding Manasota Beach Rd in North Englewood, west of 776. I love that area! No deed restrictions, they just installed sewer, and you can bike to the beach! Close to Venice for shopping.

Thanks! I'll have to take a closer look at that area, too, then. A few months ago, I drove to Manasota Beach and as I approached the beach parking lot area, I could smell an unpleasant odor from outside. I didn't stay for very long as a result. Don't know if it was the smell of sewage or what, but I haven't returned there since.

[Old Gal]

Naturool, this is the area of S. Venice where we live. I love it here. I am within walking distance of the beach, lovely gulf breezes, nice quiet neighborhood. I would at least give it a look.

[macrodome2]

Originally Posted by Naturool

Thanks! I'll have to take a closer look at that area, too, then. A few months ago, I drove to Manasota Beach and as I approached the beach parking lot area, I could smell an unpleasant odor from outside. I didn't stay for very long as a result. Don't know if it was the smell of sewage or what, but I haven't returned there since.

We've been there numerous times and the only unpleasant smell we've ever experienced was from a large group of people in the pavilion all of whom appeared to be smoking.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

That is strange - I have never noticed a bad smell near beautiful Manasota Beach which is mostly pristine

[coastal chic]

Originally Posted by Naturool

Thanks! I'll have to take a closer look at that area, too, then. A few months ago, I drove to Manasota Beach and as I approached the beach parking lot area, I could smell an unpleasant odor from outside. I didn't stay for very long as a result. Don't know if it was the smell of sewage or what, but I haven't returned there since.

They had been working on the sewer lines in that neighborhood (which is why I recommended it- now you can hookup to public sewer! ) so I'll bet that's what you smelled. It certainly doesn't usually smell like that.

[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

[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!

[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!

Wow...hmmm. Close to the beach with chickens. Well, I live on Palm Island, a five minute walk from the beach and my next door neighbor has chickens. I'm pretty sure he's not supposed to.

Most of the property that's suitable for chickens would be zoned agriculturally and most of those areas are out by the interstate. If your property is zoned Agricultural, OUE, OUA or OUR you're ok. If it's RSF or residential single family you are not.

Here's some interesting reading material regarding chickens in Sarasota:

Sarasota CLUCK

Sarasota Florida Chicken Ordinance - BackYard Chickens Community

Here's a chicken approval and disapproval map of Sarasota county: Sarasota CLUCK: Can I keep chickens where I live in Sarasota County?

Alright, so back to your original question. Basically 1-2 acres in Sarasota county that is zoned for chickens. You'd have Bliss Estates and Oak Ford Golf Club with 1-2 acres. North Port Estates would have 3-5 acre parcels and would be the most affordable. There's also Lake Geraldine that's zoned AG. Venice Farms, Saddle Creek, Hidden River, Gator Creek, Forest at Hi Hat Ranch, Bel-air Estate, Myakka Valley Ranches and Racimo Ranches are all zoned OUE.

Nothing is really, per se, close to the beaches.

Hope this helps