The 326 Nursery

12/03/2025

Matt the welder gets it …. The state of Florida gets it … regenerative farmers and environmentalist get it … why doesn’t Levy county get it? Matt is always talking about how large corporations sway politicians with big money …. I guess we need to follow the money in Levy county and see where it leads …

11/12/2025

03/28/2025

***UPDATE***
DUE TO OVERWHELMING INTEREST FOR THE IN-PERSON PROGRAM WE ARE AT CAPACITY, HOWEVER IT WILL BE ONLINE FOR THOSE THAT STILL WANT TO JOIN US FOR THE CLASS!

Join us for this FREE in-person and online program about the best fruit trees you can grow in N. Central Florida. We will go over plants like mulberries, loquats, blueberries, citrus, persimmons, and a few vines like passion fruit and muscadine grapes. Note: if you join us in person I will have FREE cuttings and fruit sampling available. If you register online or in person, the program is recorded and the notes will be sent out.

IF YOU HAVE REGISTRED FOR THE IN PERSON CLASS, IT WILL BE HELD AT:
2232 NE Jacksonville Rd
Ocala, FL 34470

Online link: https://ufl.zoom.us/meeting/register/5aF7VwX8QOKJCujtpOagNg

03/11/2025

Don’t Turn Into a Basket Case… Embrace Basketgrass!
Florida is home to a plethora of plants, both native and non-native. Among these plants are several species of basketgrass, belonging to the genus Oplismenus.

In this blog post, we’ll embark on a journey to discover these charming grass-like plants that thrive in the shady spots of our lawn.

They grow where little else will, and their lush seasonal display, peaking in the fall, is something we think deserves some appreciation.

🌾 Native 🐝 Basketgrass Species:
Bristle Basketgrass (Oplismenus setarius):
🦋 Native to Florida and the southeastern United States.

🦋 Characterized by its yellow-green, finely textured leaves.

🦋 Thrives in shaded areas; often found near water bodies and in moist, shaded woodlands.
Provides essential ground cover in natural ecosystems, helping to reduce soil erosion and create habitat for wildlife.

🦋Larval host plant for the Carolina satyr (Hermeuptychia sosbius) butterfly.

⚠️Non-Native Basketgrass Species:
Burmann’s Basketgrass (Oplismenus burmanni):
⚠️Introduced to Florida from native range of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
⚠️Features wavy, and glossy leaves.
⚠️While not considered invasive, this plant shouldn’t be spread for ornamental use. Our 🦋native, 🐝 Oplismenus setarius, version fills the same niche.

⚠️Hairy Basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus):
Introduced to Florida from its native range of the pantropics.
⚠️Features slender, hairy leaves.
⚠️While not considered invasive, this plant shouldn’t be spread for ornamental use. Our 🦋native, 🐝 Oplismenus setarius, version fills the same niche.

What should you do?
Basketgrass, both native and non-native species, offers an excellent alternative for shady areas where our sun-loving traditional grasses struggle to thrive. This competitiveness should be embraced not combatted, in my opinion, as our traditional turfgrasses are not the right plant for these shady places.

In a heavily shaded backyard, these turfgrass-like plants will create a lush, green, ground cover. In the fall, these plants reach their peak, transforming deep-shade areas into attractive, green carpets.

Unfortunately, this lushness is largely seasonal, and the plants die off in the coldest months of the year. It does readily reseed and will be back by late spring. [Caro: suggests seeding winter rye grass that dies when temperatures get too hot and by that time hopefully native basket grass will be green again.]

You should try introducing the native species into your landscape where it is the right plant for the right place. This will increase the biodiversity of your landscape and help provide a food source for the Carolina satyr butterfly.

⚠️ The non-native species have not been recorded causing any ecological damage. In my opinion, then, eradicating them is not an effort I believe in using herbicide on. But the non-natives species are also plants I would not recommend spreading or buying. Our native version is visually the same while also being a valuable butterfly host plant.

So, the next time you’re in search of a turf alternative for those challenging shady areas, consider welcoming the native basketgrass into your landscape—it’s a green carpet that thrives where little else will grow. Or, if you already have it volunteering in your landscape, skip the herbicide and appreciate that it can thrive where nothing else can.

Resources

Basketgrass, Foe or Friend? (includes message board of people who have basketgrass lawns)
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/putnamco/2021/09/28/basketgrass-foe-or-friend/

Atlas of Florida Plants Native
https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Genus.aspx?id=867

Read original ChatGPT assisted blog by Sarasota Extension’s Forest Hecker at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/10/06/what-is-that-lawn-ornament-basketgrass/

Photos by UF IFAS and Atlas of Florida websites
Butterflies by Alabama Butterfly Atlas

03/11/2025

🍀 LUCKY GIVEAWAY! 🍀

Win 5 YARDS of premium soil delivered to your door (within 25 miles)! 🌱

How to Enter:
✅ Like this post
👯 Tag a friend in the comments
💬 Tell us what you love about compost

✨ BONUS: Want 10 extra entries? ✨
Comment on any of our daily blog posts starting today! We’ll post a new one every day for the next week, so check back daily for more chances to win!

📅 Winner announced on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) at 5 PM! Will luck be on your side? 🍀 Drop your entries below! ⬇️

03/11/2025

Welcome to our 10-part series exploring the vital role of composting in sustainable agriculture and community well-being. At Fant Farm Organics, we're opening our doors to transparency, education, and meaningful dialogue about our practices and the incredible benefits of composting. Join us as we ad...

03/11/2025

🦋Native Butterfly Super Host?!
Meet Peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum), a member of the Brassicaceae mustard family that often goes unnoticed despite its significant presence in our area.

One of the remarkable aspects of peppergrass is its role as a host plant for numerous different butterfly species in Florida. During our warmer months, it’s not uncommon to witness endless flurries of white butterflies dancing gracefully in the air, especially in areas with citrus groves. These important butterflies, including the Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae), Great Southern White Butterfly (Ascia monuste), Checkered White Butterfly (Pontia protodice), and Falcate Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis midea) rely on peppergrass as a vital host plant during their larval stage. This symbiotic relationship highlights the importance participating in No Mow March to let native plant species like peppergrass continue to support vital pollinators.

An Edible Gem
Beyond its ecological significance, peppergrass also boasts an extensive ethnobotanical history. Historically, indigenous communities utilized various parts of the plant for culinary and medicinal purposes. Every part of the plant from the seed, to the foliage, to the root has been used in recipes from the early days of the United States. The strong, peppery taste of its seeds makes it an excellent substitute for black pepper. This is the namesake source of one of it’s common names, Poor Man’s Pepper. However, a word of caution: while peppergrass can be edible, it’s crucial to exercise caution and seek expert guidance before trying it. Avoid harvesting peppergrass from areas near roadsides or locations where herbicides and pesticides may have been applied, as these chemicals can contaminate the plant and pose health risks.

The Misunderstood Wildflower
Despite its invaluable ecological roles and culinary versatility, peppergrass often finds itself labeled as a w**d by many. However, this perception overlooks its status as a native wildflower and its essential contributions to local biodiversity. Instead of viewing peppergrass as a nuisance, we could recognize its resilience and adaptability along roadsides and as a lawn ornament. It does contribute to the rich tapestry of Florida’s fauna and landscapes. In the coming months let us marvel at the sight of the uncountable White Butterflies, and remember humble peppergrass for its role in bringing them about.” UF IFAS Forest Hecker

Read more on Florida Lawn Ornaments by Forest Hecker https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/10/05/embracing-lawn-ornaments-a-starter-guide/

Artwork illustration by Kim Heise for Bound by Beauty.

Photos; many pepperw**d plants Carolina Madera, close up of beneficial hoverfly on a flower by Buffalo Bayou Partnership, butterfly composite by, top perspective closeup photo by USGS PWRC, and Terry Wood Mason.

02/23/2025

❄️March Edibles to Plant (text list too ⬇️)
New Gardeners: “Anytime we predict the weather we gamble. Starting transplants too early or too late can result in weak plants or late harvests.

Aim to start seeds indoors 4-8 weeks before the suggested outdoor planting dates.

For larger plants, like watermelon, squash, and pumpkin, you might transplant in as little as four weeks. Similarly, if you are starting plants in small containers, four weeks may be all it takes for them to fill the cell.” Excerpt from:
🪴 Starting Transplants 101 🪴
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/starting-transplants-indoors.html

🌱March Edibles to Plant in Florida Text list 🌱
🌱 North Florida 🌱 Easily transplant: arugula, boniato, eggplant, kohlrabi, peppers, Swiss chard, tomatillo, and tomatoes.

Transplant with care: spinach and sweet potatoes.

Use seeds: beans (bush, lima, pole), cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, okra, onions (bunching), peanuts, peas (English, southern), radish, squashes, and watermelon.

🌱 Central Florida 🌱
Easily transplant: arugula, boniato, Chinese cabbage, gingers, kohlrabi, peppers, roselle, sugarcane, Swiss chard, and tropical spinaches.

Transplant with care: amaranth, calabaza, celery, long squash, luffa, papaya, pigeon pea, pineapple, Seminole pumpkin, spinach, sweet potatoes, and yucca.

Use seeds: beans (bush, lima, pole), cantaloupes, carrots, chayote, corn, cucumbers, okra, onions (bunching), peas (southern), radish, squashes, and watermelon.

🌱South Florida 🌱
Easily transplant: arugula, boniato, Chinese cabbage, endive, gingers, roselle, sugarcane, Swiss chard, and tropical spinaches.

Transplant with care: amaranth, calabaza, celery, papaya, pineapple, Seminole pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and yucca.

Use seeds: beans (bush, lima, pole), cantaloupes, carrots, chayote, corn, okra, onions (bunching), peas (southern), radish, squashes, and watermelon.

Printable PDF and more resources available on our University of Florida IFAS website: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/what-to-plant-in-march/

Vegetables 🍅 Grow food crops 🥗

02/22/2025

Grow Your Own Food, Grow Your Happiness! 😊

There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh, homegrown vegetables! 🍅🥬 Get your garden ready for a season of delicious abundance with our premium soil and compost. Grow your own food, grow your happiness!

Delivery available! Message us today!

02/14/2025

"Root"ing for Your Success!

We're "root"ing for your gardening success! Our compost and topsoil provide the perfect foundation for strong, healthy roots that will support your plants all season long. Let's get growing!