How the Sheep Cleared My Garden and Spring Brought It Back

Over the winter, our little flock of sheep decided they had their own plans for the garden.

What started as a curious nibble here and there quickly turned into a full garden cleanup crew. Beds were trimmed down, leaves disappeared, and at one point I was convinced my grapevine was completely gone for good.

But spring had other ideas.

Now the garden beside the cottage is coming back to life, and every day I’m spotting something new. Tiny cucumbers are starting to form, tomatoes are ripening, spaghetti squash is growing, summer squash is coming in, and even the grapevine is making a comeback.

Still on the way are peppers, zucchini, okra, and green beans, all slowly filling in as the weather warms.

The flowers are waking up too. Marigolds are blooming now, while sunflowers, zinnias, and nasturtiums are getting ready for their turn.

Tucked throughout the garden are some of my favorite herbs — peppermint, lemon balm, and thyme — adding that fresh garden scent when you walk by.

A Little Farm Charm Beside the Cottage

One of the things guests love most is that this little garden sits right near the cottage. It adds to the peaceful, slower-paced feeling of staying here — sheep nearby, chickens wandering in the background, flowers blooming, and something new growing almost every week.

Guests staying with us are welcome to tour the garden and mini farm upon request. It’s a simple, sweet way to enjoy a side of Central Florida many people never get to experience.

If you’re looking for a quiet place to stay near The Villages, our little farm cottage is designed for guests who want something more personal than a standard hotel room. You can learn more about our peaceful stays on our Dana’s Florida Getaways homepage.

Why Guests Love This Kind of Stay

Not everyone comes to Central Florida just for theme parks or busy attractions. Some guests are looking for a relaxing overnight stop, a pet-friendly cottage, a romantic weekend, or a quiet place close to The Villages, Wildwood, Coleman, and Lake Panasoffkee.

That’s why we created local guides to help guests plan an easy stay, including our Things to Do Near The Villages guide and our Best Restaurants Near The Villages page.

For travelers coming through Central Florida, we also have helpful pages for overnight stays near I-75 Exit 321 and stays near Florida Turnpike Exit 304.

That’s Farm Life

So while the sheep may have “helped themselves” over winter, somehow the garden came back even better.

That’s farm life — unexpected, funny, peaceful, and always growing.

If you’d like a cozy Florida getaway near The Villages with sheep, gardens, and a slower pace, you can explore our stays here:

Explore Dana’s Florida Getaways