Summer 2021 is officially here. Summer typically marks a time when people take advantage of spare time, nice weather, and enjoying hobbies of all sorts. For any locals to Southwest Florida who remain in the area during the scorching summer months, one of those hobbies could be improving the home garden and landscape.

If you're sticking around this summer and have an itch to develop your green thumb, we've got you covered with 11 spots local to Southwest Florida that will surely enhance your home's greenery. 

 SCCF's Native Landscapes & Garden Center - 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's Landscapes & Garden Center is open for in-person shopping Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many of the options available there will help to encourage birds, butterflies, and other wildlife into your backyard, contribute to better water quality in local waterbodies, help fight the spread of invasive plants in local wildlands, and conserve drinking water supplies.

Visitors are invited to stroll through the demonstration gardens to gain inspiration for their own properties. An expert staff is on hand to answer questions. Native plants and some supplies are also available for sale online, delivering to Sanibel and Captiva, or for curbside pickup on Wednesdays.

For more information: sccf.org/our-work/native-landscapes-and-garden-center

RS Walsh Garden Center - 3889 Sanibel Captiva Drive, Sanibel, FL

Sanibel is home to this beautiful retail garden center and outdoor showroom for the local landscaper. RS Walsh's "In The Garden" provides visitors with many seasonal ideas to freshen up their landscapes. Individuals can consult with on-site landscape design professionals about ideas for their gardens, as well.

The tropical garden oasis features wandering paths through display gardens, a bountiful plant nursery, and a garden gift shop. In addition to plants, other items for sale include pottery, fountains, unique outdoor seating, garden accessories, local art.

For more information: rswalsh.com/garden-center

Forever-Green Ace Hardware - 2025 Periwinkle Way , Sanibel, FL

Forever-Green, a part of the Ace Hardware network, has an attached nursery that sells plants, trees, ground cover, and beautiful tropical plants.

Ace Hardware has more than 5,000 stores around the world, with the majority of those stores independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. These hard working men and women are part of the fabric of each community. They are small business owners who are local and loyal. 

Battista Farms - 19490 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL

Williams Magical Garden Center & Landscape - 1717 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL

Williams Magical Garden Center & Landscape is home to a multitude of plants and eclectic garden showcases. This customer-centric company focuses on offering quality products, exceptional service, and a friendly atmosphere, striving continually to offer customers a wide range of unusual plants decoratively arranged amongst delightful ornaments, the perfect planter, fountains, and statues. They also offer a wide selection of quality home and garden gifts.

Good Roots Nursery - 17660 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL

Established in 2018, Good Roots Nursery was first envisioned through the collaborative efforts of Chris Holly & Tony Yacovetti of Sandhill Native Growers, Inc., its parent company. Holly and Yacovetti have more than 30 years of combined experience growing native plants and enhancing and restoring native environments through their nursery and ecosystem restoration operation located in Arcadia, Fla. These are the “Roots” of Good Roots.

The business aspires to connect with the local community by providing a source for top quality Florida native and Florida-friendly plants, and supporting products and services. They also endeavor to make Good Roots a welcoming place for people to explore and see the “Good” in utilizing Florida natives in the landscapes and surrounding environments.

For more information: goodrootsnursery.com

Gonzales Plants Nursery - 12520 Tower Road, Bonita Springs, FL

Gonzales Plants Nursery is a garden center located at 12520 Tower Road in Bonita Springs. A Facebook review indicates the nursery offers "the finest assistance and service anywhere," and that visiting Gonzalez Plants Nursery is like "stepping back in time and receiving customer service from a family friend."

The nursery is open weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed on Sundays. For more information, call 239-450-5310.

All-Native Garden Center - 300 Center Rd, Fort Myers, FL

Certified as a “Florida Friendly Landscape” through the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program by the University of Florida, Lee County Extension Service and as a “Backyard Wildlife Habitat” by the National Wildlife Federation, the All-Native Garden Center is the site of the “Florida Landscapes Program” produced by WGCU/PBS. It has won landscape awards from the Florida Association of Native Nurseries and the Florida Native Plant Society.

Conveniently located in the heart of Lee County, it has been voted the Best Native Plant Nursery in Southwest Florida for more than 10 years. Having served Southwest Florida for more than three decades, All-Native Garden Center has retailed nearly 2 million plants to loyal and satisfied customers throughout the region, including homeowners with urban landscapes and supervisors of parks, municipal buildings, and condos.

Hanging Gardens of Fort Myers - 2047 West First Street, Fort Myers, FL

The Hanging Gardens of Fort Myers is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Purchases can also be made online at nirvananurseries.com. The gardens are located at 2047 W. 1st St. in Fort Myers.

A Facebook review back in May praised the neatness of the garden and its easy-to-find prices. "Very well maintained and fair priced, will def be back!" (sic)

Catherine's Landscape and Nursery - 8090 Littleton Road, North Fort Myers, FL

Providing a full complement of landscape design, palm trees, plants, ground cover, to delivery, and installation services, perfectly suited for your lifestyle, Catherine's uses the latest in sustainable landscape design and environmentally secure practices. Their goal is to create the perfect environment for your home. They believe your yard should be easy to maintain but also provide you with plenty of outdoor enjoyment.

Anything from delivering and planting an Orange Tree to a completely designed and installed landscape, Catherine's design and installation teams work together to give each property a distinctive look, bringing out the character and appeal.

For more information: catherineslandscapeandnursery.com

Cindy Lou Plants - Cape Coral, FL

Cindy Lou Plants is a small business that was started due to the owner's passion for plants. She loves sharing her passion for plants with others, especially people who are new to planting and gardening, or new to this area.

"We live in a gardeners paradise with the weather," she says. "Plants love lots of sunshine, and there is an abundance of that in SW Florida. My other semi passion is to protect our beautiful planet. I don't like to see pictures of plastic waste accumulating in oceans and rivers, and mountains of garbage in places that should be beautiful. That is why I make most of my succulent garden designs in repurposed containers to avoid having them end up in a landfill, going to waste."

For more information: cindylouplants.com