This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: native, pollinator magnet Blazing Stars, Gayfeathers (Liatris)

Plan your garden with 2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. This week: plant Fall Broccoli and Cabbage

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Brightside St. Louis Daffodil & Tulip Bulb Sale; Spend $25 get 2 FREE seed packets at The Garden Shop; 2 more September Plant & Seed Swaps at St. Louis County Libraries

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 —

July Gardening Calendar. Ornamentals, Lawn, Vegetables. (University of Missouri Extension)

Three Ways to Help Your Garden in the Heat (Seed St. Louis)

Lots of great information on Food Preservation. Canning, Freezing, Pickling, Fermentation, Jams & Jellies, Drying (University of Illinois Extension)

Saving Summer’s Bloom (P. Allen Smith)

Help Your Tomatoes Self-Pollinate (YouTube, University of Missouri Extension)

Mosquitoes Hate This One Weird Bucket (Wild Ones)

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 —–

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
August 2nd Forest Park Southeast. Register
August 15th St. Louis Place. Register
August 16th Shaw. Register

Volunteers Wanted. Brightside St. Louis Neighborhood Tornado Recovery Clean Up Blitzes
8 am August 12th Kingsway East
Noon August 12th Kingsway East
8 am August 26th O’Fallon
9:30 am September 19th North St. Louis City, various locations, organized by Iota Phi Theta

Apply for Forest ReLeaf Project CommuniTree: 3-gallon saplings are offered free of charge to public and nonprofit partners who plant and maintain the trees. Pick Ups in Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Hannibal, Kansas City, Republic, St. Louis County

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

August 31st Deadline to Enter Missouri River Bird Observatory Photo Contest

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

September 25th Deadline to order from Brightside St. Louis Blooming Soon! Bulb Sale. 30 high quality bulbs for $18. Daffodils: Carlton, Midwest Mix. Tulips: Brightside Red Hybrid Darwin, Pink Impression. Pick Up October 9-10 at Forest Park Greenhouse. There’s a shipping option but it’s USPS.

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 

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.

October Applications Open for Missouri Prairie Foundation’s 2027 Prairie Garden Grant Program for gardening and conservation groups, parks, school, 

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 31, 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 —–

Thru Friday, July 31st, Missouri Conservation Department Nature Art Exhibit at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Photography by Harold Ostergaard

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

10 Tickets remaining. 9 am Thursday, July 30th, Missouri Conservation Department’s Summer Morning Walk in Tower Grove Park. Register

2 Tickets remaining. For ages 14+. 2 pm Thursday, July 30th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Needle Felting- Opossums. Register

6 pm Thursday, July 30th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Paddle Sports, Reading The River. Register

6:30 pm Thursday, July 30th, St. Louis County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Prairie Commons Branch, Hazelwood. Register

9 Seats remaining. 9 am Friday, July 31st, Missouri Conservation Department Training at Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office, Southwest Garden: Discover Nature Fishing Educator Volunteer Instructor Training. Register

9 am Friday, July 31st, Sierra Club Eastern Missouri event: O’Fallon Park Tree Watering. Register

10:30 am Friday, July 31st, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Missouri Black Bears. Register

8 Tickets remaining. 11:30 am Friday, July 31st, Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Beginner Archery for Adults. Register

9 am to 5 pm Saturday-Sunday, 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.

12 Tickets remaining. 10 am August 4th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Pond and Wetland Explorers. Register

6:30 pm August 4th Shakespeare in the Park at Franz Park, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

9 am August 5th Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum event: Summer Wildflower Walk with Horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

6 pm August 5th St. Louis County Public Library Virtual Class: Garden Rainscaping presented by Missouri Botanical Garden. Register

6:30 pm August 5th Shakespeare in the Park at Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

10 Tickets remaining. 10 am August 6th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Spidering. Register

6 pm August 6th Seed St. Louis event at Bell Community Garden: Summer Community Gardener Meet-Up & Potluck. By registering for this event, you grant permission for your image to appear in a public media production and in print and digital materials. Register

6 pm August 6th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Black Bears in Missouri. Register

6:30 pm August 6th Shakespeare in the Park at Heman Park, University City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

13 Seats available. For Kids age 8+. 2 pm August 7th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood. Kid-Friendly Needle Felting, Summer Wildflowers. Register

8 am August 8th Sierra Club Eastern Missouri event at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin: Make Art on the Trail. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am August 8th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Watering Day. Help water 120 trees. Requires walking across uneven surfaces carrying 5-10 lbs of water.

13 Tickets remaining. 9 am August 8th Missouri Conservation Deparment event at Ruth Park Woods, University City: Birds and Brews Hike. 1.5 mile birder hike. Meet at 7 Brew on Olive. Register

6 Tickets remaining. 9:30 am August 8th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest 44 Conservation Area, High Ridge, Jefferson County: Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants Adventure. 1 mile hike with rugged terrain, moderate slopes, and shallow stream crossings. Register

10 am August 8th Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum event: Summer Arboretum Trolley Tour with Horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

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

6 pm August 8th Urban Harvest Plant Bingo at Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery. Tickets $23.18 – $50

6:30 pm August 8th Shakespeare in the Park at Blackburn Park, Webster Groves: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

8:30 pm August 8th Sierra Club Eastern Missouri event at Babler State Park, Chesterfield: Perseid Meteor Shower Watch

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

6:30 pm August 9th Shakespeare in the Park at Love Bank Park, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

5 pm August 10th St. Heck X Royale Non-alcoholic Garden Inspired Cocktail Competition at The Royale. Tickets $19.58

15 Tickets remaining. 10 am August 11th Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

1 pm August 11th Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum Horticulture Class: Oaks 101 & Tour. $15 donation suggested. Register

6:30 pm August 12th Shakespeare in the Park at Chesterfield Amphitheater: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am August 13th Heartlands Conservancy at Edwardsville IL: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

18 Seats remaining. For Ages 0-7 years. 10:30 August 13th Missouri Conservation event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- Busy Bees! Register

6 pm August 13th Seed St. Louis Zoom class: Fall Gardening Tips. Register

6:30 pm August 13th Shakespeare in the Park at Bellevue Park, Belleville IL: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am August 14th Heartlands Conservancy at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, IL: Exploration Garden Stewardship Day. Register

21 Tickets remaining. For Kids 3-7 years. 9:30 am August 14th Missouri Conservation event at Tower Grove Park: Children’s Nature Scavenger Hunt. Includes water play. Register

6:30 pm August 14th Shakespeare in the Park at Old North St. Louis City, next to Crown Candy: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

8 am to 12:30 pm August 15th River City Natives Native Plant Sale at Tower Grove Farmer’s Market

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am August 15th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Watering Weekend. Register

9 am August 15th Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum Horticulture Class: Oaks 101 & Tour. $15 donation suggested. Register

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.

5 pm August 15th Missouri Prairie Foundation Annual Dinner & Silent Auction in Columbia MO. August 4th Deadline for online Ticket sales. Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ian Thompson, the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer with the Choctaw Nation. His presentation- Connecting with Prairie Past and Present: The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

6:30 pm August 15th Shakespeare in the Park at Carondelet Park, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

6:30 pm August 16th Shakespeare in the Park at South Grand Parking Lot, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

9 am August 19th Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum event: Summer Wildflower Walk with Horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

6 pm August 19th Wild Ones Webinar- The Ecology of Home: Creating Habitat That Works. Learn about key habitat resources wildlife need beyond food plants; how ecological processes shape healthy ecosystems; nesting, shelter, overwintering, and breeding habitat in residential landscapes; practical habitat-building strategies that complement native plantings and support greater biodiversity. Register

6 pm August 20th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Building a Healthy Orchard Ecosystem. Register

6:30 pm August 20th Shakespeare in the Park at Washington University: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

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.

6:30 pm August 20th Shakespeare in the Park at City Park, Edwardsville IL: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

8 am to 12:30 pm August 22nd River City Natives Native Plant Sale at Tower Grove Farmer’s Market

10 am to 1 pm August 22nd Forest ReLeaf Treesilience Celebration at Scott Joplin House State Historic Site. Register

11 am to 5 pm August 22 Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Picnic at Beaver Dam State Park, Macoupin County IL. Register

15 Tickets remaining. 10 am August 22nd Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

7 pm August 22nd Tower Grove Park event: Stargazing with St. Louis Astronomical Society

6:30 pm August 23rd Shakespeare in the Park at January-Wabash Park, Ferguson: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

6:30 pm August 25th Shakespeare in the Park at Brentwood Park: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

6:30 pm August 27th Shakespeare in the Park at Lion’s Amphitheatre, Kirkwood Park: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

6:30 pm August 28th Shakespeare in the Park at Dutchtown Commons, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

11 am and 1 pm August 29th Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum: The Opera Bell Band presents A Musical Romp Through the Marvelous World of Botanical Poetry

8 am to 12:30 pm August 29th River City Natives Native Plant Sale at Tower Grove Farmer’s Market

August 29th-30th Festival of Nations at Tower Grove Park

20 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am August 30th St. Louis Audubon Society event at Tower Grove Park. Beginner Bird Walk. Register 

6:30 pm August 30th Shakespeare in the Park at Fairground Park, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

6:30 pm September 1st Shakespeare in the Park at Saint Louis University, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

9 am September 2nd Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum event: Wildwood Valley Gardens Walk with Horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

6:30 pm September 4th Shakespeare in the Park at St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis University, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

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

6:30 pm September 5th Shakespeare in the Park at Maplewood Pocket Park: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

6:30 pm September 6th Shakespeare in the Park at Lafayette Park, St. Louis City: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

6 pm September 10th Seed St. Louis class at Bell Community Garden: Introduction to Growing Herbs. Register

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

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

11 am September 18th St. Louis County Public Library class at Thornhill Branch: African Violets 101 presented by Amethyst African Violet Club. Register

8 am to 12:30 pm September 19th River City Natives Native Plant Sale at Tower Grove Farmer’s Market

10 am September 19th St. Louis County Library Plant, Cuttings, Seed Swap at Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton. Register

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

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.

10 am September 26th St. Louis County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Oak Bend Branch. Register

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

4-7 pm September 26th Forest ReLeaf fundraiser: Arbormeisters 2026, ArborMeisters Homebrew + Craft Beer Festival at Nursery and Arboretum in Creve Coeur Park

9 am to 5 pm Friday-Sunday, October 9th-11th, Missouri Botanical Garden Best of Missouri Market includes Native Plant Vendors. Garden Admission Fee applies.

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

6-8 pm October 22nd Sierra Club Eastern Missouri event at Alpine Shop, Kirkwood: Happy Hour, Pint Night. $10. Register

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.