This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Kale, one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet; rich in vitamin A, C, K, B6, with large amounts of potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese. The ancient Greeks cultivated leafy greens like kale and boiled
them to eat as a cure for drunkenness, per Seed St. Louis.

Plan your garden with 2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. This week: Transplant Basil, Eggplant, Melons, Peppers, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes; Direct Sow Basil, Beans, Cucumber, Melons, Okra, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here.

St. Louis Master Gardeners Horticulture Answer Service: Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 2:30 pm

Find a Native Plant/Seed vendor in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas… (Grow Native)

Good Reads, Views, Listens —

June Gardening Tips: Outdoor Flowering Plants & Ornamentals, Vegetable Gardening, Fruits & Nuts, Lawns (University of Missouri Extension)

This month in your garden: June tips for St. Louisans (St. Louis Magazine)

Garden named for tornado victim continues Mrs. Pat’s legacy of feeding, cultivating community (St. Louis Public Radio)

St. Louis Mosquito Education (Brightside St. Louis)

‘This is not a hippy thing’: the startup recycling urine to make natural fertiliser. As recent conflicts expose vulnerability of fertiliser markets and its effect on food security, VunaNexus offers an alternative (The Guardian)

Summer wildflowers bring color to roadsides and backyards. Also see Wildflowers in the Home Landscape (University of Missouri Extension)

St. Peters man’s victory will give many more people the right to a jury trial. Chris Bank was prosecuted for his sunflowers. But his attorney Bevis Schock saw a bigger principle at stake. (St. Louis Magazine)

Missouri River Bird Observatory Past Webinars and Virtual Nature School for Kids

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

Seed St. Louis Videos: Variety Trials, Virtual Classes, Starting Seeds Indoors, Orchard Tips, Gardening Tips & How To, In the Community Garden, Youth Garden Activities & Tips, Teachers in the Garden Tutorials.

Growing Vegetables Advice: Begin with a Plan, Seed Starting, Soil Management, Weed Management, Hardening Off Indoor Seedlings, Season Extension, Supporting Plants, Pest Management, Fertilizing Your Garden, Irrigation, Garden Tool Care, Container Gardens, more (University of Illinois Extension)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

Free Native Garden Designs @ Wild Ones. There’s one specific to St. Louis, one for Chicago, one for Denver, …

Native plant gardening in a pot. Missouri Botanical Garden has container designs for sun and shade.

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

Missouri Native Plant Top 10 Lists (Grow Native) Native Plants for Children, Poorly Drained Clay Soil, Sun, Shade, Half Sun & Half Shade, Under Utility Poles, Rain Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, Bees, Pollinators in Winter, Hummingbirds, Wildlife, Butterflies, More

2023 Plants of Merit – Annuals, Bulbs, Edibles, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Vines (Missouri Botanical Garden)

2023 Plants of Demerit – Bamboo, Big Leaf Hydrangea, Blueberry, Burning Bush, Chameleon Plant, Lavender, Pin Oak, Wintercreeper (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

June 30th Deadline to Enter Missouri Prairie Foundation Prairie Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Native Prairie Species (plants, animals, invertebrates, fungi), People on the Prairie, Prairie landscapes.

July 1st Submissions Open for Missouri Riverbird Observatory Photo Contest

July 15th Deadline to Enter Wild Ones Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Connecting People & Native Plants, Native & Community Landscapes, Native Plants Year-Round, Fauna, Flora

September 1st Deadline to Enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Natural Resources, Unique Places, People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors

November 15th Deadline to Enter Missouri State Parks & Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Adventure & Recreation, On The Trail, Parks Less Traveled, Making Memories, Capture the Beauty 

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
June 20th St. Louis Place. Register
June 20th Benton Park West. Register
June 21st Shaw. Register
July 5th Forest Park Southeast. Register

Now thru September 26th Missouri Botanical Gardens sculpture exhibit- Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Now thru December 31st Missouri Botanical Gardens photography exhibit- Gardenscapes: Patterns in Bloom. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Thru March 27, 2027, Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum– The Literary Garden: The Cultivation of Plants and Gardens in Narratives. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

—– DAILY —–

10 am Monday, June 8th, St. Louis County Public Library class at Oak Bend Branch: Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

10 am Monday, June 8th, St. Louis County Public Library class at Eureka Hills Branch: Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

7 Tickets remaining. 10 am Tuesday, June 9th, Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 9th, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about Windowsill chives (Allium schoenoprasum ‘Grolau’) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

1:30 pm Tuesday, June 9th, University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Moth Gardening: Amazing Pollinators of the Night. Register

6:30 pm Tuesday, June 9th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Cub Speaker Series at Old Bakery Beer, Alton IL: National Rivers Month, presented by Perry Whitaker, former Missouri State Director for the American Canoe Association. Register

9 am Wednesday, June 10th, Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center event at Education Center on Shaw: Unfolding Nature’s Calendar: Plants, Climate, and Phenology. Register

6 pm Wednesday, June 10th, Missouri Coalition for Environment Session Wrap Up Webinar. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am Thursday, June 11th, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

6 pm Thursday, June 11th St. Louis County Public Library class at Mid-County Branch: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am Friday, June 12th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club O’Fallon Park Tree Watering. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am Friday, June 12th, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Volunteer Stewardship Day. Register

3 Tickets reamining. 11:30 am Friday, June 12th, Missouri Conservation Department Class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Beginner Archery for Adults. DO NOT bring your own equipment. Register

4-8 pm Friday and 9 am to 1 pm Saturday, June 12th-13th, Madison County IL Extension Education Foundation Garden Tour, private gardens in Glen Carbon. Tickets $15

5:30-7:30 pm Saturday, June 12th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Sips, Souls, and Strolls- 1880-90 Decades. Enjoy beer, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres as you stroll through the beautiful grounds. $15 suggested donation. Register

6 pm Friday, June 12th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Fireflies. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Saturday, June 13th, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Bethalto, Illinois: Stream Cleanup at Steve Bryant Park. Register

10 am Saturday, June 13th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club outing in Edwardsville, Illinois: Tenderloin Farms Tour, former hog and dairy farm now a lavender farm. Register

10 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 13th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum events: Summer Garden Tours- three Garden Design Walking Tours; Flowering Plants Walking Tour; Tree Walking Tour; Trolley Tour; more. Register

11 am Saturday, June 13th, Missouri Conservation Department class at Buder Library: Introduction to Urban Fishing. No Registration required.

11 am Saturday, June 13th, St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register.

Noon to 2 pm Saturday, June 13th, St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

1 pm Saturday, June 13th, Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class: Companion Planting with Native Plants. Register

1 pm Saturday, June 13th, St. Louis Public Library Plant & Seed Swap at Thornhill Branch, Fenton. Register

2 pm Saturday, June 13th, St. Louis Public Library Plant & Seed Swap at Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 16th, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about Giant of Italy parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

9 am to 5 pm June 17th Missouri Botanical Garden special event: The Freedom Seekers Project & Juneteenth Journey ZMD Collaboration. 11 am St. Louis Black Authors, Story Time, Spoken Word, and Book Giveaway; 1 pm Film Screening: Annie Malone Turnbo: The Untold Story. Garden Admission Fee applies.

9 am June 17th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Wildwood Valley Garden Walk with Horticulturist. $5 Doantion suggested. Register

3:30 June 17th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Summer Wildflower Identification. Register

4 pm June 17th Grow Native! Webinar: Living Roots & The Promise of Perennial Foods in the Prairie Region. Register

6 pm June 17th Carondelet Food Patch Paint & Sip. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am June 18th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Edwardsville, Illinois: Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Stewardship Day. Register

For kids 7 years old or younger. 18 Tickets remaining. 10:30 June 18th Missouri Conservation Department kids event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- One Fish, Two Fish! Register

2 pm June 18th St. Louis County Public Library class at Rock Road Branch: Grapes and Kiwis- Trellises, Pruning and Care presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

5:30 am June 18th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Evening Hike at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Register

6 pm June 18th St. Louis County Public Library class at Prairie Commons Branch: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

6 pm June 18th St. Louis City Public Library class at Schlafly Library: Plant Predators: An Introduction to Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

10 am June 19th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am June 20th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Watering Day. Help water 120 trees. Requires walking across uneven surfaces carrying 5-10 lbs of water.

9 am to 5 pm June 20th Carnivorous Plant Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

10 am June 20th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing for People with Disabilities. Fishing poles and bait provided. No Registration required.

10 am June 20th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Summer Arboretum Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

7 pm June 20th Stargazing at Tower Grove Park with St. Louis Astronomical Society

14 Tickets remaining. For ages 18+. 1 pm June 21st Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish with a Modern Cane Pole. Poles provided. Register

6 pm June 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Discover Missouri’s Butterflies. Register

7 pm June 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Stream Team Volunteers Orientation & Onboarding. Register

9 Tickets remaining. 9 am June 23rd Missouri Conservation Department class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Beginner Birding. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 23rd, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

10 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am June 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Birding Hike on Rock Quarry Trail, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

1 pm June 23rd Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Summer Floriography, the Language of Flowers with make & take cut flower arrangement. $15 Donation suggested. Register

5:30-7:30 pm June 24th Missouri Coalition for Environment Chat for Change at Schlafly Tap Room. As of 6/07 there are eleven elected officials participating. Register

28 Seats remaining. 2 pm June 25th Tower Grove Park class: Beneficial Bugs, presented by Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Register

4 pm June 25th St. Louis County Public Library class at Bridgeton Trails Branch:
Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

6 pm June 25th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Hummingbirds. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 26th-27th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

8 Tickets remaining. 9 am June 26th Missouri Conservation Department Hike on Lime Kiln Loop Trail, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

6 pm June 26th Audubon Center at Riverlands Kayaking in Ellis Bay: Sunset Paddle. 2.5 hour beginner-friendly class will highlight Stream Team and how to get involved with river clean ups. $25. Register

9 am Jun 27th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Summer Floriography, the Language of Flowers with make & take cut flower arrangement. $15 Donation suggested. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 27th-28th St. Louis Water Garden Society’s Pond-O-Rama

9 am to 5 pm June 27th Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale

10 am June 27th Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

10 am June 27th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

11:30 am – 4:30 pm June 27th Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum- Literary Learning Day: Gardens & Grief in Victorian Literature. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

13 Seats remaining. 1 pm June 27th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Garden Party Strawberry & Basil Mocktails! Register

11 am June 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Picnic with Staff and Volunteers. Register

2:30 pm June 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Tour with Master Guide. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 30th, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about  Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

6 pm June 30th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Turtles of Missouri. Register

6 pm June 30th Missouri Conservation Department class at Carpenter Library, St. Louis City: The Birds Are Back in Town for beginner birdwatchers. Registration not required.

9 am July 1st Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Summer Wildflower Walk with Horticulturist. $5 Donation suggested. Register

19 Tickets available. For 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 6 pm July 2nd Missouri Conservation Department class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

For Kids and their caregivers. 6-8 pm July 7th Missouri Botanical Garden Sustainable STEM Night. Free bus transportation available from Central and Julia Davis Libraries. Register

11 am July 11th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens June 13th

Noon to 2 pm July 11th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

20 Seats remaining. 1 pm July 11th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Tomato & Basil Health Clinic. Register

2 pm July 11th St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Forest Park Owls- Hunting and Feeding, presented by award winning naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw. Register 

9 am to 4 pm July 18th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Funga Fair- A Mushroom Event Hosted by the Missouri Mycological Society. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am July 18th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Watering Day. Help water 120 trees. Requires walking across uneven surfaces carrying 5-10 lbs of water.

6 pm July 22 Wild Ones Webinar: How to Talk to Your Neighbors (and Your HOA) About Your Garden. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, July 24th-25th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

July 25th-26th Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Plant Sale at Jost Event Center, Overland

9 am to 5 pm August 1st-2nd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

11 am August 8th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens July 11th

Noon to 2 pm August 8th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

12 Seats remaining. 1 pm August 8th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Garden Party Caprese Salad. Bring tomatoes & basil from your garden. Register

Noon to 5 pm August 9th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Fee applies.

9 am August 15th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 5 pm August 15th Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, August 21st-22nd, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

September 5th Garden Club of Edwardsville, Illinois Plant Sale.

9 am to 5 pm September 12th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

September 12th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at The Nature Institute, Godfrey, Illinois

11 am September 12th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens August 15th

September 24th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County

Noon to 2 pm September 12th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, September 25th-26th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am October 10th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens September 12th

9 am October 17th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, October 23rd-24th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am November 14th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens October 17th

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, November 27th-28th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, December 11th-12th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale.

11 am December 12th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens October 17th

11 am to 4 pm January 30th, 2027, 16th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Prepackage your seeds and identify the seeds on package. Seed Swap 11 am to 12:30 pm for those who bring seeds to swap and who will receive an arm band to the Seed Room. After 12:30 pm people without an arm band may enter and select seeds from Seed Room. If you do not contribute seeds, bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear. These items will be given to a local charity.