Metals and Nature — Local services in Plant City

It’s been a few years since I’ve been here and wow has it changed (while still staying the same). Still has the beautiful metal and the concrete statuary. Not sure if the son took over the entire business or is working there, either way he is doing a fantastic job with it. They have added a petting zoo, with a $3 per person entry fee which includes a big bowl of food. They have goats, sheep, a miniature horse, a big fuzzy cow, emu, etc. with a little playground for the smaller kids. A hand wash station with soap to wash your hands when entering and exciting. The animals were well cared for. The animals weren’t dirty or matted and they didn’t stink. They had clean water and food and I didn’t see a bunch of dung lying around in the pens for them to step in. Sometimes these places make you wonder if the animals are being properly cared for but I could see that wasn’t the case here. These guys looked to be very much cared for and loved. I was on a time limit and had to leave before I could walk the entire place but it looks like the property next door had sculptures on it so I think they may have expanded that way as well. I always loved coming here when the mom and dad were running the day to day operations and I’m happy to see the son is carrying on their labor of love. I’m sure they’re very proud of how he’s made enough changes to put his own identity on the place without changing it so much the old place is forgotten. If you haven’t been in a while stop by. If you’re in the market for beautiful and unique iron gates, fences, outdoor art decor and so much more,...

If you are driving east or west on Florida highway 60, between Lakeland and Tampa, there is a remarkable place, on the south side of the highway. For years, I passed by without stopping, thinking: "Oh, they sell gates. I don't need any gates." But then, on one Saturday morning, after I drove by again, I decided to make a U-turn and go back to see what's there.

Officially, it's called Metals & Nature, but after I saw it, I said: You should call this "Bills, Gates and Remarkable Hidden Gardens!"

They do, of course, have gates. Lots of metal gates. But they also have birds--bird with bills--remarkable hidden gardens, a stone bridge over untroubled waters, provocative little signs, wind chimes, winding paths and the most unique bird I have ever seen: a pure white peacock, with a huge, fantail. He (or she) alone was worth the visit, but I also had a chance to meet one of the second generation owners, Vicky Smude. She is inspiring. By the time you read this, she may have already added new attractions: art shows, food (for thought and lingering), a place for weddings or other special events.

But see it for yourself. You'll be glad you stopped by--or turned around to see it, as I did. Who knows, this may become a next generation...

A short hop over to Plant City for a fun afternoon out of the house. All the handcrafted items by artist Diego Smude are displayed in situ on this two acre site, so you can find inspiration as to how to add some charm to your garden or patio. The nature is not all rooted in the ground though, as you may cross paths with a wandering peacock, visit the pig, or chat with the (caged) chickens and parrots. (Or in my case get a giant grasshopper tangled in your hair, evidently as payback for an indelicate photo I had taken earlier. See below.)

Don’t be intimidated by price! There is something for absolutely everyone and you’ll be surprised at just how affordable most things are. The larger custom iron work pieces are a bit pricey but much of the wall art and ceramics are in the $15-$40 range, you can pick up a succulent in an artsy pot for $10 and they even have a large section of random mix and match left over wrought iron decorative pieces arranged in bins for as low as $1-$10. I say absolutely everyone because when I stopped by they even had some old used pots for planting they were giving...