Plant Swap Saturday: The Gran Paradiso Garden Club and What to Plant in November

The first week of November is when the Gran Paradiso clubhouse calendar fills back up, and this year the Garden Club is closing out the week with a seminar and plant swap on Saturday morning. If you've noticed the afternoons getting a little drier and the lanai pots looking ready for a fresh start, the timing could not be better.

Here's what's happening this weekend, plus a quick look at what UF/IFAS says goes in the ground in November.

Garden Club Seminar and Plant Swap: Saturday, Nov. 7

The Gran Paradiso Garden Club is hosting a gardening seminar and plant swap on Saturday, November 7, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Clubhouse. According to the community's weekly email, the plan is simple: pick up some gardening tips, share what has and hasn't worked in your own yard, trade plants and meet other residents who like to dig in the dirt.

Beginners are welcome, and so are seasoned growers. If you have cuttings, pups or a pot of something that has outgrown its spot, this is a good place to bring it. And if you're new to gardening in Southwest Florida, it's a low-pressure way to learn from neighbors who have already figured out what survives a Venice summer.

What UF/IFAS Says to Plant in November

November is the start of our cooler, drier months, and that's when a lot of vegetable gardening happens here. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions publishes a "What to Plant in November" guide that splits Florida into North, Central and South zones. A few highlights from its edibles list:

• Easy to transplant (Central and South): arugula, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce and Swiss chard.
• Also easy to transplant in the South zone: eggplant, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes and tomatillos.
• Start from seed (Central and South): carrots, onions, English peas, radishes and turnips.
• Transplant carefully: celery, mustard, potatoes and spinach.

UF/IFAS notes that its edible planting dates are being updated and suggests checking with your county Extension office for the latest advice. In our area that's UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County at Twin Lakes Park, 6600 Clark Road in Sarasota, 941-861-9900, open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Its Master Gardener plant clinic is a good place to ask which zone and which varieties fit your yard.

A Few Practical Notes for Gran Paradiso Gardeners

A lot of gardening here happens in containers on the lanai or in small beds, so a swap like Saturday's is a handy way to try something new without buying a whole flat. Herbs, peppers and leafy greens can all be grown in pots, and a pot can move into the shade or under cover if we get a stretch of unusual weather.

Before you plant anything in the ground outside your lanai, it's worth checking your HOA's landscaping guidelines so your new garden stays a happy project. If you're not sure where to find them, the community website is the place to start.

Also New at the Clubhouse: Evening Line Dancing

The same weekly email announced a new line dancing class with instructor Bridget Phillips, which started Monday, November 2 at 6:00 PM in the Aerobics Room. The evening time slot is aimed at residents who work during the day. The cost is $10 per person, per class, and no experience is needed. Keep an eye on the weekly "What's Happening at Gran Paradiso" email for upcoming class dates.

Thinking About Gran Paradiso?

Gran Paradiso is a gated community in Wellen Park with a Tuscan-style clubhouse at its center, and its calendar of resident clubs and classes keeps that clubhouse busy. If you'd like to see what's on the market, you can browse current listings on my Gran Paradiso page or search all homes for sale. Already own here and curious what your home might be worth this season? Get a free home value estimate.

Event details come from the Gran Paradiso weekly email of October 30, 2026; planting information is from UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions' "What to Plant in November" guide and Extension contact details from UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. Times and details can change, so check with the organizer before you go.

I'm Scott Swonger, and I've lived in Gran Paradiso since 2017. I'm not a pushy realtor, just a neighbor who loves it here. Want more? Visit scottswongerrealtor.com or text me at 941-600-3534.

Scott Swonger, PA, REALTOR®
HomeSmart Residential & Commercial Realty