Landscaping our home in The Villages

Jerry and Linda show the final planting of shrubs and flowers featured in last weekend's episode. They also discuss what items are needed for yardwork and which items were brought and which were purchased after arriving in The Villages.
We would like to thank everyone for watching our videos.
“See you when you get here!”
Mailing address:
Newcomers
P.O.Box 888
Fruitland Park, FL 34731
All information and opinions in our videos are ours alone and not guaranteed as accurate. We are not endorsed by nor paid by The Villages, Florida. We are just trying to share answers to questions we had when we were trying to decide if moving here was for us.

[@davisholman8149]

Aaawwwe! My SIL is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy! In fact, he is stationed at McDill AFB and I just got back from visiting my daughter, SIL & precious grandsons. Love the shirt, Jerry. 🛫

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thanks, Davis! Our youngest son is a grad. Very proud of him and all those amazing young men and women! 😁😁

[@1tpmg]

Linda’s smile is non stop ! 😁

[@SKA-vi4oz]

Y’all got one of those pretty driveways!!!

[@beachgal5062]

So beautiful!!!❤👏👏👏👏

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thank you! 😁😁

[@stevemartin6934]

boy this is a oldie but i feel your pain as in am doing the same thing after close to 3 years here ,,,,,many things from up north in the Hudson river valley does not work here in Florida ,,, Live and learn

[@alanlindsey7159]

Yard is looking great, guys. Good job! Someone may have already warned you about this, but always be extra careful when working up under your Sylvester & Roebelenii (when it gets bigger) palms. I know a guy who punctured his eardrum with one of the long needle sharp spines that grow on the stems close to the trunk. I have several potted Roebeleniis around our pool & I always wear goggles & a pair of headphones when I move them or do any trimming. I probably look like a fool, but I'm safe. Keep those videos coming.

[@edgrossman517]

Great looking garden. I like the concrete edging very sharp

[@M22OHIO]

I'm only 32 and nowhere near being able to live in The Villages, but I wanted to learn more about it because I saw some talk about it on the news this year, but at any rate, you guys are the nicest people and I even enjoy your videos keep up the good work. Mike far far away in snowy Cleveland, Ohio.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Hi Mike, thank you! Stay warm up there in Cleveland. Brrrr.

[@pauline4848]

Catching up on some earlier Video's of Yours, Lovely Yard/Plants, When we lived behind gates in 55 Neighborhood we had what everyone called "The Yard Police" Someone from The HOA Board would drive around in the golf cart and if someone was not maintaining their lawn they got a warning note left on their door, We Love The Manicured Lawn Look, keeps values up in neighborhoods. 🌴 ☀ 🌴

[@brockreynolds870]

Don't be afraid of height! It's important to scale your landsape to your home. I see tons of McMansions with little tiny, button shrubs all in a row in front of the house, and this towering home behind them. With windows, you want your shrubs to be just BELOW the windowsill height. You need a tree to anchor the corner of your home (Which you thankfully have). Ornamental grasses can help add softness and contrast in texture. you should have left the Holly tree in!! And put the hose reel closer to the downspout. The Holly tree would help mask the hose reel from view.

[@johntamulonis4626]

Lantanas are fantastic, also the leaves smell wonderful when gently crushed in your fingers, a wonderfully unique scent. Love your videos.

[@joelhooper2220]

Linda, you have such a sweet and sincere smile! And Jerry, your plant🐸 knowledge is impressive! Great video! Keep living this great Florida life. 🙂🐢🐸

[@vickyb5935]

I also really like your flower bed edging stones....can`t say I`ve seen something as elegant as that!

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thank you Vicky, but they are pretty common down here… it is poured concrete.

[@RoxieintheCity]

Love the paint colors of your house. Looks so beautiful and fresh. And your yard looks perfect! Not over done and not too plain. 👍 your neighbors are lucky to have you folks living and thriving next door. 🌴

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thanks Roxie, that is so nice of you! 😁😁

[@scottbower4120]

Great tips thanks for sharing

[@nickgangadis8679]

Well done. You're doing a great job.

[@triciaduggan2559]

Just want to say the two of you are a treasure. You enjoy each other and life so beautifully, and we are all so lucky you choose to share yourselves with us. Have enjoyed your vlogs immensely. Stopped by The Villages back in the fall of 2018. We wound up buying a condo in Bonita Springs on a golf course. Right now we only plan to be down here Jan thru April and mid-Oct thru mid-Dec, so we want it to be as warm as possible. Wishing you & yours the very best. Enjoy!

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thank you for your kind words Tricia!

[@andrewschmitz9707]

Looking good guys!

[@dwl231]

Congrats on blowing past the 1000 mark. Love your videos.

[@ronseguin7289]

Another interesting video, your making TV's beautiful along with your home :)

[@jimnordgren8133]

I like getting my hands dirty as well. Looks good keep the good work up. Can’t wait to get down there and play in the yard.

[@marykelly5891]

Good informational video! I appreciate knowing which garden/yard tools are helpful as I'm bringing just a few of ours, including our spreade; and, leaving the snow shovels in the garage sale! Plants look lovely! You'll have fun watching them grow!

[@fsuersal]

Final Frontier, great ideas for when it comes time to move and preparing. THANKS

[@laritalovesmakeup]

I was getting worried about you three because it’s been awhile. Y’alls yard is looking great. I enjoyed seeing Linda’s little cute tools. Ha. I need that size too Linda. Hello to Gizmo. 🌸

[@carolapostolos8929]

Jerry that is so nice of you to purchase those tools that are just the right size for Linda! LOL! I like your idea of bringing a few yard items when you move down to Florida to help your new house feel more homie. You two are giving us a lot of great ideas. Keep up the good work

[@SAMNJKN777]

Excellent video . . . We just closed on our home here in Sabal Chase .... we are so excited!! Going back to Jersey to pack up and plan on officially moving in early April. We want to make some major changes to our landscape upon our return. Love your hints 💕💕

[@golfnut2599]

very informative video, thanks. we live in the villages and we have contractors who maintain all aspects of the landscape and at amazingly affordable prices. we used to do all of this in Michigan before we retired but now we prefer to golf and leave maintenance to the professionals.

[@johntamulonis4626]

Watched it again!

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thanks, John. We should reshoot that show, we have changed a lot of things.

[@johntamulonis4626]

@@JERRYANDLINDA That would be great, I think your viewers would love to see that. Maybe you can get a landscape company to sponsor!

[@sharonlee7111]

Beautiful! That border around your garden is very interesting

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thanks Sharon, that is very popular here in The Villages.

[@henrymiller4280]

Best videos of the villages👍 thank for your free advice enjoy your retirement!

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thanks Henry!

[@jeromeklotz7627]

Who else takes a drink whenever Gizmo makes an appearance? 😂😂

[@johnkeller464]

Very informative.

[@jim-uu2db]

glad to see you know to use Image, great warm weather weed killer in lawns. i also look for generics that have the active ingredients the name brands have, same results, less cost.

[@fsuersal]

WORK YAY

[@csnanny1882]

Good job

[@grumpyguy1231]

well, I see where i need to go to borrow the tool to cut around the sprinkler heads. Didn't know they made such a thing.

[@Trialwatcher]

I’m a widow. Wish I had a Jerry in my life - just to take care of the yard,

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Thanks Ann... I'm not really that handy, but together with Linda, we get it done!

[@quiltme10]

Great video today! Interesting info on all the grass treatments needed - how often to apply. Nice seeing and an explanation of all the plants & trees you have put in and removed. Saw Gizmo following and supervising your activities. Missed you the last week was hoping you hadn't met up with one of the bush snakes. What are the shoes that Linda is wearing? You both have a beautiful home and yard! Thank you for another grand video!

[@jonbrennan8038]

Love your videos when will you be doing a new one!

[@georgeshotrodbarn2113]

Looks really nice I learned a lot. did you know you had a hedge dog they are very rare.

[@catherinehillier9155]

Great video - very informative - thank you - love seeing Gizmo helping/supervising

[@johntamulonis4626]

I think this is the first video in which you say, "See you when you get here".

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Ha! You may be right! 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@cynthiaamitrano8915]

I love working in my flower gardens, but I’d do a lawn service for the rest. I used to do it all, but time marches on.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

We do the same.

[@TheGregWallace]

Your hose reel looks like a car rim...LOLOLOL! all you need is a hubcap for it.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

It does! 😁😁

[@shelbyimus6779]

Great information. Thank you. You mentioned the water hose reels on each side of the house, do you have a bibb in the back of the house as well? Ouch that's pricy for the reel but much needed as I'm sure the weather would destroy the cheap ones.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Hi Shelby, no, just one on each side. The back is largely the lanai. Thanks for watching!

[@dustyd48]

Jerry were you in the Air Force? Your lawn is looking beautiful.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Hi Dusty! No, our #3 son is in the Air Force!

[@dustyd48]

@@JERRYANDLINDAThanks for the reply. My husband was in the Air Force for 22 years and the kids (3) and I traveled to around with him. Lots of fun and made some wonderful frees.

[@dustyd48]

Also thanks to your son for protecting our country.

[@vickyb5935]

Love your croton plants! The color in a “green plant”. Is really nice...are they easy to care for?

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Yes, but they are sensitive to heavy frost.

[@bonnieflanagan9297]

God Bless but we use Massey! But you seem to enjoy yard work and that’s different 😊

[@theadster2702]

So you traded no yard work for a lot of yard work???? In retirement???!!!.....mmmmm... makes sense ?????!!!!! Their must be a lot estate sales there, you could have bought those tools a lot cheaper. Seems like it is very windy there..a lot. Keep up the good videos...they are fun to watch. The yard is looking good.....See ya later!

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

We had a TON of yardwork in Indiana. An acre of trees, leaves, grass, fences, and snow. Here it is minimal.

[@theadster2702]

@@JERRYANDLINDA In this video starting at 3:14 you state that you now you do a lot more maintenance then you ever did in Indiana....you said it!!!

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Addie, I said we didn't take care of it to the extent that we do here... meaning our yard looked terrible because we were in the woods. Very sketchy grass. Didn't fertilize, but that yard was 15 times bigger than this one. More weeds, more erosion, moles, leaves, etc. We spent much more time there, but we really want our grass to look good here, so we are grooming it. It gets more attention, but takes less time than our home up north. Peer pressure here. :-)

[@rawfoodgirl3]

Surprised the irrigation sprinklers don't take care of the plants. Didn't think a hose was required.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Sprinklers take care of grass, and some other plants. Newly planted trees and shrubs need deep watering for months after planting. A hose is the best way.

[@suecatchings5735]

Am wondering if there’s an alternative to insecticides? I’ve heard they can be very harmful to animals, people and the environment in general. We have many native pollinators, wildflowers, fruit trees and native plants and don’t use chemical sprays. The previous owners told us that anything we use would directly affect the ground water and creek. Not to mention all the health issues things like Round-up have caused… just wondering.. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@judyalberts351]

Hi tuber friends 👋🏻 👋🏻 Now you’ve been in Florida a winter or 2 how did your outside plants do in the freezing winters we get in these parts of Florida Curious about the Croton‘s I know they can’t take below 30-40° and the Villages gets in the 20° at times Also ... What type of Red color rocks or is that Bark around your palms haven’t seen that around in Ocala area Hope to be one of your Village Neighbors one day if my home ever sells its time for me to downsize and make another chapter in this book of life 📚 Love your videos very informational about the villages ❤️

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

The lighter colored crotons withered. Still alive, but shabby. We covered them up last year, but decided this year to let anything die that frost kills. Survival of the fittest. We have Four foot rebellion that isnt the hardiest, but it has done fine. The red rocks... I don't know. We like them though. Keep on living that best life!

[@judyalberts351]

THE VILLAGES FLORIDA NEWCOMERS Sprucing up the flower beds this week was concerned they wouldn’t survive the frost and we’ve had 6 good warm winters here in Ocala normally gets in the low teens 16° Tk you for your response keep those fabulous-videos coming 👍🏻

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

roebellini... not rebellion. :-)

[@pjwillin5198]

Does the ARC allow hardscapes? They're much easier to maintain than lawns.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Yes, There are some here. Easier, yes... not sure about the restrictions. Lots of villas (cyv) and bungalows have rocks and concrete instead of grass. We LOVE the grass, but it is a chore.

[@jojojo6147]

Do they have a landscaping crew that takes care of the grounds in The Villages? Thank you.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

The Villages grounds are immaculate. We say we feel like we're in Disneyworld. Personal yards are your own responsibility though. We hire out the cutting and for now, do the rest ourselves.

[@jojojo6147]

Thanks, the place looks great.

[@tominator3]

Do you guys have allergies (or know anyone who does down there)? If so, did the symptoms get better, stay the same or worsen after moving to the area?

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

I have had allergies, but nothing since moving here... it's not Spring yet though!

[@tominator3]

@@JERRYANDLINDA Good to know! Maybe a video on the topic once you've experienced other seasons there? :) That is a factor for a good many folks when choosing a retirement destination.

[@cindydavis597]

Linda, was that a gardenia bush at the garage/house line? I love gardenias. Didn’t know if they would grow there or not.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Yes, we have had mixed results. They have not thrived.

[@kathleenlangkil4439]

Ttuxbury7

[@diananeal9645]

Hawaiian Ti plant

[@nf2885]

Why doesn’t your community take care of spraying the grass for weeds? Don’t you pay an association fee that includes lawn care? Those sprays you use are hazardous to your health. Your videos are informative and interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

Amenity fees don't cover weeds.

[@nf2885]

Seems rather odd that your association does not include lawn care to include weed treatment. In the 55+ community we live in, it is included. Retirees shouldn’t have to burden themselves with lawn care. That’s why you live in a 55+. What do you pay in association fees?

[@JD-ff4ol]

Who did your concrete edging?

[@JERRYANDLINDA]

It was done before we bought the house. I am not sure. There are many companies that do it, and it is not really expensive.

[@dennishanson5254]

hire a landscaper ,sit back and relax, your retired.