Wagner Realty

One of the great things about living in Florida is that fresh fruit and vegetables are never really out of season. Local farms around Sarasota and Bradenton cultivate corps that change with the calendar.

Even so, spring is almost certainly the best season when it comes to u-pick produce. These are some of our real estate agents' favorite pick-your-own fruit and veggie farms in the Sarasota and Bradenton area!

Albritton Fruit Farms - 9600 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241
A beautiful farm in the rolling countryside just outside Sarasota, Albritton Fruit Farms offers u-pick blueberries and sunflowers throughout the spring harvest season. This family-owned and operated farm is just minutes from these Sarasota homes for sale and includes 60,000 blueberry plants of four distinct varieties. The u-pick season usually runs from mid-March through late May, and specific dates are frequently updated on their website. 

Hunsader Farms - 5500 Co Rd 675, Bradenton, FL 34211
Bradenton's Hunsader Farms is one of the best places around to get fresh produce. In addition to u-pick offerings that change with the seasons, they offer a fully stocked farm stand where you can shop an amazing variety of fruits and vegetables. U-pick offerings throughout April and May include eggplant, green beans, black-eyed peas, purple hull peas, and okra, and many more options are available pre-picked at the farm stand. There's also an on-site petting zoo and playground, and the farm is only a short drive from many Bradenton homes for sale.

Brown's Grove - 16015 Winburn Dr, Sarasota, FL 34240
One of the leading citrus growers in the Sarasota area, Brown's Grove produces a wide range of fruit in their large, picturesque farm. Brown's Grove has been owned and operated by the Brown family since 1915, and their offerings include red and yellow naval oranges, Meyer lemons, red and white grapefruits, and Tango tangerines. The u-pick citrus season runs from December through February, but Brown's Grove also sets up a fruit stand at Phillippi Farmhouse Market in Sarasota.

Honeyside Farms - 24105 FL-62, Parrish, FL 34219
An organic vegetable farm spanning 12 beautiful acres, Honeyside Farms is the pride and joy of Tiffany Bailey, a 4th-generation farmer who started growing her own produce just outside Bradenton in 2008. Today, the farm grows dozens of different crops a stone's throw from these Parrish homes for sale and offers weekly organic veggie box subscriptions. U-pick is offered on select days that are announced in advance via their social media pages. Honeyside Farms also sells produce at the Lakewood Ranch Farmers Market during the growing season from November to May.

Fruitville Grove - 7410 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34240
Fruitville Grove is a working farm as well as a farm market, and they offer a huge variety of local homemade goods year-round, as well as fresh produce in season. You'll always find fresh baked goods, jams and preserves, honey, and dairy products at the market. December through March is the peak season for most of their organic fruits and vegetables, but many crops are available well into spring. Fruitville Grove is perhaps best known for its annual Pumpkin Fest, which includes u-pick pumpkins and a wide range of food, games, and entertainment every October. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Florida! Fresh local produce year-round is just one of many things that make this part of the world special, and our real estate agents can't wait to help you find your dream home in Sarasota, Bradenton, and the surrounding areas. 

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One of the great things about living in Florida is that fresh fruit and vegetables are never really out of season. Local farms around Sarasota and Bradenton cultivate corps that change with the calendar.

Even so, spring is almost certainly the best season when it comes to u-pick produce. These are some of our real estate agents' favorite pick-your-own fruit and veggie farms in the Sarasota and Bradenton area!

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Changing up your backsplash is a quick but powerful way to update the look of your kitchen. While there are certainly premium materials available, there are also many inexpensive ways to transform your backsplash. Here are a few simple methods our real estate agents recommend for updating your backsplash.

Paint Your Backsplash
Don't have the money for new materials for your backsplash? A can of paint may be your answer. You can paint over the existing backsplash, or if you're particularly crafty, use a stencil and paint to update the tile with a patterned appearance.

Use Peel-and-Stick Tile
If you want the look of tile but don't have the money or the skill set to install tile and grout, you can more easily get the look you want with peel-and-stick tile. It goes on over your existing backsplash, is easy for anyone to install, and can be removed easily, too, if you decide to change your kitchen's look again later on down the road.

Achieve a Classic Look with Beadboard
Beadboard is a fairly inexpensive material that is easy to install yourself and lends itself well to the country kitchen look that is popular in Sarasota homes for sale. Keep it white for a traditional look, or paint it a coordinating color to make it blend in with the rest of your kitchen. You can also vary your look by deciding whether to install it with the grooves vertical, as it is traditionally installed, or horizontal for a more modern look.

Use Wooden Boards or Paneling
If you like the traditional kitchen look that is trending now but don't like the look of beadboard, you can achieve a similar mood with painted wooden paneling. Wooden plank backsplashes have become popular and can even be achieved by mounting vinyl hardwood-look flooring to the wall for an easy-to-clean backsplash.

Install Pressed Tin Tiles
Another popular look in Bradenton homes for sale lately is pressed tin tile backsplashes. You can get real tin ceiling tiles, or there are also stick-on vinyl alternatives that are easier to cut and install. The metallic designs of these tiles make beautiful and interesting backsplashes and a modern twist on a traditional look.

Mount Faux Brick
Exposed brick is always a popular look, and you can achieve the look with the help of faux brick. A faux brick backsplash is trendy and classy, but if you're mounting it in areas that will be prone to grease splatters, look for a surface finish that will be easy to clean.

If you want a new look for your kitchen, your backsplash is a great place to start. It's especially good if you're updating your home to sell it, as the backsplash is an overall small square footage and will give you plenty of bang for your buck. For more suggestions of easy ways to get your home ready to sell, contact us today.

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Changing up your backsplash is a quick but powerful way to update the look of your kitchen. While there are certainly premium materials available, there are also many inexpensive ways to transform your backsplash. Here are a few simple methods our real estate agents recommend for updating your backsplash.

Click Here to Read More...

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One of the best parts about living in Florida is getting a prime seat to view nature. This includes dolphins swimming, which you can see at several beaches, or better yet, on a dolphin tour. Spend a day on one of these delightful dolphin tours that are recommended by our real estate agents.

• LeBarge Tropical Cruises - 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236
  Live palm trees and refreshing cocktails help create the "floating island" vibe of LeBarge Tropical Cruises. One of their more popular trips is the Dolphin & Manatee Watch, a two-hour cruise that departs at 11 a.m. A trained marine biologist is on hand to offer fascinating insight about the life and behavior of dolphins and manatees. Tickets are $32 for adults and $28 for ages 4-12. Visit the website for schedule and availability.
  
  
• Fun Boat Tours - 1265 Old Stickney Point Rd., Sarasota, FL 34242
  With a name like Fun Boat Tours, you know you're in for a good time. Both two-hour tours depart from Siesta Key Marina and cruise south along the Intercoastal Waterway. In addition to dolphins and manatees, you're likely to spot pelicans, herons, osprey, and other aquatic birds. Dolphins and Donuts heads out at 9:30 a.m., while Dolphins and Drinks has two sailings at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 for adults and $20 for ages 10 and under. Visit the website for schedule and availability.
  
  
• Passage Key Dolphin Tours - 1343 Gulf Dr. S., Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
  Is it any wonder that dolphins love to play around beautiful Anna Maria Island? Passage Key Dolphin Tours knows all the favorite hangout spots, making their two-hour trips a spectacular show, especially when you choose the sunset cruise. Not content to sit on board? Get in on the action with a three- to four-hour dolphin and snorkeling tour. Start on one of the sandbars to look for sand dollars and fighting conch shells. Beginners are welcome, and no fins are required. Visit the website for schedule and pricing.
  
  
• Paradise Boat Tours - 200 Bridge St., Building A, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217
  There are few guarantees in life, but one of the best comes from Paradise Boat Tours. They're so confident you'll see dolphins on their cruises that they'll accommodate you on another trip free of charge if you don't. On these 90-minute family-friendly tours, kids get to sit at the helm under the captain's supervision while wearing his hat for a memorable photo op. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and beverages, including beer and wine. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for ages 3-12. Visit the website for schedule and availability.
  
  
• Sarasota Bay Explorers - 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy., Sarasota, FL 34236
  Enjoy the comfy seating and unobstructed views on the 45-foot pontoon boats of Sarasota Bay Explorers. The company works in conjunction with Mote Marine Laboratory, whose marine biologists provide helpful commentary on the cruises. Two-hour trips include a walk on an uninhabited island to see the resident pelicans, egrets, herons, and ibis. Guests also get to observe and handle pufferfish, stone crabs, and other marine life that are gathered in a trawl net. Tickets are $35 for adults and $31 for ages 3-12. Visit the website for schedule and availability.

By land or by sea, life is always thrilling around Sarasota homes for sale and Bradenton homes for sale. If you're buying or selling a home, contact us at Wagner Realty for cheerful assistance with all your real estate needs. 

Mother's Day is just around the corner, so now is the time to start thinking about how you'll show mom your appreciation this year. 

Our real estate agents turn to our local flower shops to find the perfect Mother's Day gifts. A bouquet of flowers is not only a great way to freshen up the house, but it's also a gift associated with love and beauty. Here are some local flower shops that make a great Mother's Day bouquet. 

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Lauded by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 place in Florida to visit, Sarasota truly stands out. Whether you're looking for Sarasota homes for sale or at neighboring Bradenton homes for sale, you'll have the chance to enjoy all the amenities this sun-soaked community offers. Our real estate agents are excited to show you more.

Replete with natural wonders and fascinating Florida history, Sarasota excels in more ways than one. As you explore, you'll encounter striking architecture, some of the best restaurants on the East Coast, and more than a few examples of the things that make Florida unique.

With sister city Bradenton adjoining it – just 25 minutes away from downtown – residents of either one can boast they are right in the midst of two of Florida's most desirable cities. Miles of quality beach and Florida vacation getaways like Longboat Key and Holmes Beach await.

Let's take a closer look at some of the unusual attractions in Sarasota:

• The John N. & Mable B. Ringling Museum of Art – 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243
  The John N. & Mable B. Ringling Museum of Art is located on the former estate of circus magnate John Ringling. Established in 1927 and including 21 galleries of art and antiquities from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, it spans 66 acres. In addition to the Museum of Art, you can visit the Circus Museum commemorating the history of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
  
  
• Siesta Key – See Website for Location Details
  Siesta Key may just be the #1 place in Florida to enjoy the soft sand and glittering surf of the Gulf of Mexico. This barrier island is known for Siesta Key Public Beach, where the fine white sand is cool all year around. It also features a number of secluded spots where you might spot a dolphin.
  
  
• Marie Selby Botanical Gardens – 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
  Marie Selby Botanical Gardens features two campuses giving visitors the opportunity to see an array of air plants from all over the world. The facilities are deeply connected with the traditional land stewardship of Florida's native people and are open all year long except on Christmas Day.
  
  
• Mote Marine Lab & Florida Research Aquarium – 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236
  Mote Marine Lab & Florida Research Aquarium is one of the crown jewels of Florida's tireless efforts to uncover secrets of the Atlantic. Researchers here nurse injured marine life back to health while gathering data that helps humans and the environment. You may have the chance to see manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and many others. The rays are among the most popular at the aquarium.
  
  
• Save Our Seabirds – 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236
  While you're learning more about the unique Florida ecosystem at Mote Marine Laboratory, you can take a two-minute walk to Save Our Seabirds, an animal hospital that rescues, rehabilitates, and then releases ill and injured Florida wildlife, especially birds. You can visit with and learn about the birds, including the facility's permanent residents, with the help of experienced scientists and caregivers.
  
  
• Saint Armands Circle – See Website for Location Details
  Located on the island of Saint Armands Key, just across from Sarasota, Saint Armands Circle is a lively shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Under the watchful eye of the famous John Ringling statue, you can discover more than 130 boutiques and specialty shops, including many you won't find anywhere else. Connected to the mainland by two bridges, it's a world away from the hustle and bustle.

Inspired to turn your visit to Sarasota into a move? Contact us to find out more or get started.