This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: very tall native Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum). Looking for a perennial sunflower-like plant that doesn’t seed all over? This is it.

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. Added this week: Bowood Farms deep discounts; September 26th St. Louis County Library Plant & Cuttings Swap at Grand Glaize Branch

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 —

Grow healthier ecosystems at home this pollinator month (University of Illinois Extension)

Daylily: Big color without the fuss (University of Missouri Extension)

Five things to know about pesticides, cancer and a pending Supreme Court ruling (Investigate Midwest)

Go figure, figs are a great addition to home gardens (University of Illinois Extension)

Bear sightings in Columbia highlight growing population (University of Missouri Extension)

Lawmakers demand info on Trump use of national park fees to pay for D.C. repairs (Kansas Reflector)

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

August 23rd Deadline to Register for Fall University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener Online Course. $200

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 —–

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

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

2 pm Thursday, 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 Thursday, June 18th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Evening Hike at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Register

6 pm Thursday, 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 Thursday, 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

6:30 pm Thursday, June 18th, Heartlands Conservancy Third Thursday Group Bike Ride on St. Clair County IL Transit District Trails, 16 miles. Register 

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

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Saturday, 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 Saturday, 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 Saturday, 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 Saturday, June 20th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Summer Arboretum Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

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

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

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

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

2 Tickets remaining. 9 am Tuesday, 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.

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

1 pm Tuesday, 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 Wednesday, June 24th, Missouri Coalition for Environment Chat for Change at Schlafly Tap Room. As of 6/07 there are eleven elected officials participating. Register

23 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.

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

9 am June 26th The Nature Institute Restoration Workday, Invasive Species Removal, Godfrey, Illinois. 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

20 Tickets remaining. 10 am June 27th Missouri Conservation Department Fishing & Walking Tour of Bellefontaine Conservation Area, Bellefontaine Neighbors, North St. Louis County. Register

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

2 pm June 27th The Nature Institute Class in Godfrey, Illinois: Ecology and Identification of Common Woodland Ferns in Illinois, presented by forester Christopher Evans, University of Illinois Extension. Optional hike afterward. 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

5 -7:30 pm July 1st Willoughby Farm Ask a Master Gardener Garden Tour, Collinsville, Illinois

Noon July 2nd Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class:  Plumology 101 – The Study of Feathers, hummingbirds to ostriches. Register

12 Tickets remaining. 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

Noon July 6th Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class: Fireflies. 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

Vounteers Wanted. 8 am July 8th Heartlands Conservancy event at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Stewardship Day. Register

17 Tickets remaining. For 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 6 pm July 9th Missouri Department of Conservation Class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

8:15 pm July 9th Heartlands Conservancy Firefly Walk at Exploration Garden, Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am July 11th Heartlands Conservancy Arlington Wetlands Stewardship Day, Pontoon Beach, Illinois. 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 

17 Tickets remaining. 8 pm July 16th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Powder Valley Hike at Dusk. 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.

7 pm July 21st Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers 2025 Show set to music. Register

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.

7 Seats remaining.10 am July 25th Missouri Conservation Department event at Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office, Southwest Garden neighborhood: Nature Crocheters- Dragonflies. Register

9 am to 4 pm Saturday-Sunday, July 25th-26th, Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Plant Sale at Jost Event Center, Overland

6 pm July 29th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Butterflies of Missouri. Register

9 am July 30th Missouri Conservation Department’s Summer Morning Walk in Tower Grove Park. Register

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: Bok Choy Chun Mei, Broccoli Burgundy, Broccoli Castle Dome, Cabbage Caraflex, Cabbage (Napa) Minuet, Cabbage Red Almero, Cauliflower Minuteman, Collards Southern Georgia, Kale Black Jack, Kohlrabi Azur Star, Lettuce Heat Tolerant Variety Pack, Lettuce Sierra, Misome Choho (Tatsoi Hybrid). Get in line early for best selection, bring your own box for plants.

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.

2 pm September 26th St. Louis County Library Plant & Cuttings Swap at Grand Glaize Branch, Manchester. Register

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.