Me too. I have been looking and have not found any nursery with anything of interest.

michelle

I have never found anything either. One little one in Ft Pierce off Weatherbee Rd, but they aren't that big. You either have to futher north or further south for anything big. Some of the farmers markets have plants for sales as well as fresh produce.

You might try Community Gardens @ Pinders in Palm City(Rte 714). Classic Growers on Salerno Road in Stuart. Next weekend you might enjoy Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens in Stuart. They are only open one weekend a month. They have a plant sale. I haven't been yet but I understand it's very nice.
Marion

What kind of nursery? Tropicals, landscape plants, fruit trees, butterfly attractors, flowering trees? What are you looking for?

Lychee Tree nursery on Kanner Hwy in Stuart has nice fruit trees and flowering/shade trees at reasonable prices.

I hate to admit it, but at the Stuart Lowes and Home Depot, I have found some great plants of many kinds. Some of my best Citrus came from HD in Stuart.

Lisa

lisa, I would love to find a nursery who can educate their customers, carry healthy plants that are appropriate for our zone, dont try to sell me a red passion vine when they are poisonous to butterfly catepillars, has a couple of employees around to help customers with questions, oh and carry some hard to find plants of all sorts.

i'm asking a lot....I know. I prefer to support local businesses but they make it so hard.

michelle

Thanks, all! I have been to "the tiny nursery off of Weatherbee" and I will look into the others posted. I appreciate your feedback.

Andi...for Indian River Co I would suggest several. Rock City Gardens off US 1 in Wabasso, tons of acerage, GREAT and knowledgeable staff. Water gardens, Orchid room, amazing pots, eye candy galore in their indoor shop...and a to die for orphan sale several times a year(get on their call list).

Then a bit south of it is another great locally owned nursery called Busy Bee, Great prices,and again a GREAT staff. further south(closer to St. Lucy county) You'll find Horizon Nursery on Oslo road.

I like Weatherbee Nursery for its proximity to me...probably the best in St. Lucie Cty. It is small but the staff is knowlegable and helpful, and the prices are very good. My favorite that I have found so far is Busy Bee in Wabasso. They have a good selection and almost everything has a sign with the name and price (very reasonable). I wish more nurseries labeled their plants better. Rock City is also good but a little more pricey. I haven't been down to Martin County yet but plan to visit the nurseries Marion suggested. I would like to find a place that has a lot of natives...especially plants for my butterfly garden. Any other suggestions??

For natives and butterfly plants try a local meeting of the Florida Native Plant Society. There are always an abundance of free or cheap plants there! http://www.fnps.org/index.php

Hands Down it is Sunshine Farms. I recently did a farm tour there and walked away completely stunned at how well they do what they do. It is obvious John Mackenzie loves what he does. From the vegetables, herbs, berries and citrus, it is all 5 star. We met John at the Fort Pierce Green Market several Sundays ago and took him up on a tour offer, it was worth the inland drive and left with $800 in edibles. Their tomatoes are reported to be the best available and after trying an improved Brandywine, it is simply the best I've ever eaten. The Lettuce, Broccoli, Corn ditto... Meyer Lemons, Persian Limes, Key Limes, Kumquats, Avacados, Mangos, Peaches, Bananas, Pineapple and Kiwi... DITTO.

This gentleman is truly amazing and very pleasant.

The only way to reach him is via cel-phone (771 708 6047) or either the Fort Pierce or Stuart Green Markets.

My apologies, John Mackenzie/Sunshine Farms phone number is 772 708 6047 and not 771 area code. If anyone would like to see photos of my tour, I'll be more than happy to share.

I'm confused is it a farm stand or a nursery? Pictures are always good...
Marion

They grow vegetables, herbs, berries and citrus cultivars and sell their produce at green markets. We purchased a number of citrus trees as well as tomato, banana, pineapple, coffee and kiwi plants. One of the most interesting aspects is how he grows. It is very well thought out on a number of levels.

They were clearing some pasture when we arrived for a solar grid to pump all their water needs. There is no heavy equipment whatsoever. He practices vermiculture and uses enormous carbon fiber bags that are patented by a gentleman from this area.

The results are like nothing I have seen anywhere, truly amazing quality from what appears to be fairly straightforward hard work and sustainable practices.

Interestingly, he prefers to use the term "naturally grown" and has chosen not to be certified organic for edibles.

Photo 1

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:941779}}

Photo 2

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:941780}}

Photo 3

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:941781}}

Photo 4

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:941782}}

Photo 5

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:941783}}

Thanks for sharing your photos Petunia. His plants certainly look wonderful. I just may have to go visit, as well as seek him out at the Stuart Green Market.
Marion

I would suggest it is time well spent marion !

Mr. Mackenzie shared this website with me, it is the best I have come across for weather.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wunderground

I have received a number of phone calls directed from this forum and am deeply appreciative for the positive word of mouth.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH !

A special thanks to Suzanne J. for sending me the link.

We are presently involved in reworking the entire farm and adding an immense alternative energy grid, I will post photos as time allows.

For those of you who practice "container gardening", you'll definitely get a kick out of Jack Miller's patented "Jackpots" !

After one solid year of testing various form factors, I've settled on our scalable binary growing system which exceeds Jeavon's yields per square; the results have been astounding and we're getting closer each year to a more sustainable, closed loop growing system with each passing day.

John Mackenzie
Sunshine Farms / ARG
772.708.6047

John,
Excellent work!
I applaud you for your undertaking and wish you huge success.
I hope to visit your farm one day soon.

How do I learn more about Jack Miller's "Jackpots"?

http://www.betterroots.com/links.htm

Jack was grower of the Year in 1998 & 2003. After many years of studying spiraling roots, he developed an "Air Pruning" carbon fiber bag that functions to combat this natural phenomena.

His phone number is 772.260.2584, Bontanics is located off CR714 @ Boat Ramp Road on the South East corner.

He sells primarily to Large growers such as Becker, Calusa and Costal.

Jack and I are partnering in an "Edible Landscaping" business later this year, we should be open on or before November 15th. I have trademarked "Edible Landscaping" and several other concepts. We will sell all forms of edible fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs.

In addition, the ARG growers cooperative has two of the largest growers participating in our Farm Stand / Farmers Market cooperative.

A very exciting time lay ahead for all those interested in Agriculture as well as growing their own edibles.

Should you schedule a visit to our farm I will be happy to show you how we use "Jackpots" to grow all sorts if edibles in ways you may find amazing. I have had extraordinary success with these and believe you will be amazed at the results. Sunshine Farms is the largest user of this technology in Agriculture and please to share its experience and knowledge.

If anyone here is interested in Injection Molded and/or Blow Molded containers at a discount, please feel free to contact me @ 772.708.6047.

We are going to be selling over 200,000 3,5,7,10,15,20,25,30,50.100 & 200 Gallon containers.