UNIQUE HOMES & Investments, Inc

04/06/2026

APRIL in the Central Florida garden


▪︎ What to Plant (April - Zone 9)
Vegetables:
Okra, Southern Peas (Cowpeas), Sweet Potatoes, Beans (Lima, Pole, Bush, Yardlong), Cucumbers, Eggplant, Peppers, Summer/Winter Squash, and Tomatoes (cherry/heat-tolerant types).
▪︎ Tropical/Heat-Loving Crops: Seminole pumpkin, calabaza, luffa, bitter melon, roselle hibiscus, cassava, ginger, & jicama.
Greens: Malabar spinach, Swiss chard, and Egyptian spinach.
Herbs: Basil, oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary, lemongrass, and Mexican tarragon.
Flowers: Zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds, vinca, and cosmos.

● April Gardening Tips for Zone 9
Prepare for Heat: Start using mulch to retain soil moisture & consider installing shade cloths for tender plants as the sun intensifies.

▪︎ Pest Management: Monitor for insects, which become more active, and use organic pesticides.
▪︎ Soil Solarization:
If taking a break for summer, use this time to solarize soil to kill nematodes and w**ds.

Harvesting: Aim to have tomatoes & peppers maturing before high heat (June) to avoid reduced quality.

▪︎ Watering: Increase irrigation frequency as the dry season continues before summer rains.
Feel free to post photos of your flower beds, any raised bed & your seasonal fresh starts...
Clean up after our unexpected 2026
What did you lose & what did you replace it with?

What survived?

All my social media links, affiliate links, current sales and coupon codes in one spot:https://linktr.ee/southerndirtgardenerofficalMy channel focuses on sha...

04/06/2026

Should you sell or rent?

04/06/2026

● Butterfly W**d

● Butterfly w**d (Asclepias tuberosa), recognized by its vibrant orange flowers, is a vital host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars, which eat the foliage & seed pods.
These caterpillars are identified by their distinct black, white, and yellow stripes. They are commonly found feeding on the leaves, often in groups.

Butterfly w**d is excellent for mass planting to make a bright statement in any landscape, providing essential food for hungry monarch butterfly caterpillars.

● Watering: Water newly planted milkw**d daily for the first two weeks during the dry season, then sparingly.

Maintenance: Dies back in winter, but will return.
● Location: Plant in full sun (6-8+ hours).

▪︎ Soil/Drainage: Prefers dry to well-drained sandy soil.
It is highly drought-tolerant once established.
Spacing: Space plants about 1 foot apart.

The Greater Orlando area ... Central Florida is a wonderful MONARCH Butterfly haven, they need our help... plant at least a dozen plants (they self seed once established & return after every winter) the caterpillars need plenty of leaves, they are very hungry... so its best to plant at least 7 or 8 but a dozen or more will mean ... butterfly garden delight!

If you come out see plant without a single leaf, just a stick plant? Do not touch it, means the caterpillars are being fed.
She will grow new leaves & keep feeding them!

excellent butterfly gardens...
Mix it in with spiderwort & uour favorite Florida wild flowers... once established easy maintenance.

Yes, you cant olant seeds too but may want a few established plants too.

Lets keep the Monarch butterfly fed, you will love them as visitors.

04/06/2026

W**d or flower?

What say you?

● Spiderwort (Tradescantia)
is a native, flowering perennial often used in gardens, but it can act as a w**d due to its fast-spreading, aggressive nature.

▪︎ While valued for its colorful, three-petaled flowers, it spreads easily via seeds and roots, leading many gardeners to consider it a high-maintenance "w**d".

▪︎ While it can be aggressive, it is generally considered a "beautiful w**d" rather than a destructive one.

Great flower bed addition, Central Florida's gardens
& bees, butterflies & other pollinators love them too.

My vote:

Once established they need very little care, hardy & free!
Whats not to love?

04/06/2026

If your house is for sale & you’re not getting any offers, or at least none you’re comfortable with, you may be starting to wonder if it’s better to rent it out instead... ?

But here’s the truth. Being a landlord isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

You have to find tenants.
Then chase down missed payments.
▪︎ Evict
And of course be on call anytime something breaks.
● Must deal with unexpected cost$, repair$ & out of pocket cost$ add up!

So, be sure to carefully weigh the pros & cons before you make a final decision.
Being a landlord requires patience, flexibility & carrying costs...

For some homeowners, the hassle (and the expen$e) of turning a house into a rental property aren’t worth it.
&TEAR



Ready to buy or sell your home? 🏡
Allow us the privilege of making your next move as simple, smooth & easy as possible... a successful move!
📞 Call
#407 718-8777
www.uniquefloridarealty.com

One Stop for all your real estate needs,
here to be of service!

04/06/2026

Give us a call, your trust & patronage will be our privilige.
"Real Estate Solutions & Results"
# (407) 718-8777
▪︎ Here to serve our community:
Margaret A Davis or
Emy Matos DePeña
When practical
counts

Las dos
Hablamos Español

69%
of Millennials
Say:
They Can’t Retire or Buy a House Without an Inheritance

Give us a call, you might be surprised @ all the solutions available..

In order to fund their next chapter, younger Americans are apparently critically reliant on their parents leaving them an inheritance.

03/09/2026

Ready to make a move?
Greater Orlando Area is a great location for a frssh start, what are you waiting for?
Unique Homes
& Investments, Inc
Serving Central Florida since 1984♧

03/09/2026

Stays light longer ...
We can go look at least 2 houses after work, give us a call!

www.uniquefloridarealty.com
Ask for:
Margaret or Emy

03/08/2026

10/16/2025

Florida magic, why we live in Florida!


What's not to love?