Tag: Amaryllis

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Lady Jane Amaryllis, shades of pink

Plant of the Week: Amaryllis. Photo is Lady Jane.

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Additions this week: Meramec Horticulture Club Poinsettia Sale @ Greenhouse; Seed St. Louis 2026 Veggie Seedling Sales @ Carriage House

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

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more.

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

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

10 gifts for the gardener without spending a lot of green (University of Missouri Extension)

Fun project for kids. Want to grow an avocado tree from seed? Here’s how (Associated Press)

December Gardening Tips, Tasks, and Problems (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Terrestrial biodiversity grows with tree cover in agricultural landscapes (University of Illinois Extension)

New Kansas-based American Honey Institute to advocate for industry standards (Kansas Reflector)

November Native Plant News (Wild Ones)

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. I will continue promoting the online resources and activities of Seed St. Louis where appropriate. I will not, however, knowingly promote events at Maxine Clark’s school privatization campus named Delmar Divine. It is unfortunate that Seed St. Louis is now a tenant there.

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 —–

9 am to 1 pm Monday-Friday St. Louis Community College @ Meramec Horticulture Club Annual Poinsettia Sale. Red, White varieties. $10 each, Cash or Check Only. Located in the Greenhouse on campus, 11333 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood (see GH at bottom of map)

Going on Now: Missouri Conservation Annual Tree Seedling Sale. Orders ship out in Spring. 29 Tree/Shrub Varieties (American Beautyberry, Buttonbush, Deciduous Holly/Possumhaw, Dogwoods- Gray, Roughleaf, Silky and Bundles (Edible, Nut, Pollinator, Wildlife), as examples, still available.

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
December 13th Tower Grove East. Register
December 13th Benton Park West. Register
December 20th Old North. Register
December 20th Benton Park. Register
December 21st Shaw. Register
December 27th Bevo. Register
January 3rd Hyde Park. Register
January 4th Forest Park Southeast. Register

January 1st-15th Entry period for Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center (Blue Springs MO) Amazing Arthropods Photography Contest

5:30 to 9:30 pm or 10 pm Now thru January 3rd Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Glow. Fees apply.

Now thru January 3rd Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Emerson Conservatory: Holiday Flower and Train Show. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

January 2nd Deadline to Register for University of Missouri Extension’s January 2nd to April 27th Master Gardener Online Course. $200 fee includes Missouri Master Gardener Core Manual ($40 when sold separately).

January 15th Entry Begins for Audubon 2025 Photography & Videography Awards (photos from 2025). 2024 entry information. Some of the winners.

Now thru March 31st, 2026, Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden: Smelling the Bouquet- Plants & Scents in the Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

—– DAILY —–

5 pm Tuesday, December 9th, Wild Ones Webinar: Turn That Patch Into a Plan. Design workshop for transforming your lawn into a native plant garden. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, December 12th-13th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

Noon Friday, December 12th, University of Illinois Extension virtual class: Bats- Why we need to conserve them and how you can help presented by Dr. Joy O’Keefe, a leading researcher in bat ecology. Register

6 Tickets remaining. 6:30 pm Friday, December 12th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Owl Prowl. Register

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

1:30 pm Saturday, December 13th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club’s Creve Coeur Lake Hike,  3.25 mile hike, all flat. Register

2 pm Saturday, December 13th, St. Louis County Library event at Lewis & Clark Branch: The Art of Caring for Carnivorous Plants presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

10:30-Noon Saturday, December 13th, Tower Grove Park 9th Annual Frosted 5k & 1k Fun Run

6:30 pm December 15th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Farm Bill 101- Sowing the Seeds for Conservation with Bill White, Grassland Coordinator with Missouri Native Grasslands Collaborative and Conservation Federation of Missouri. Register

4 pm December 17th Grow Native! Webinar: Native Cover Crops for Stormwater Management Practices. Register

8:30 am December 18th Missouri Conservation Department online class:  Winter Backyard Bird Watching. Register

Noon December 18th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Visitors from the Arctic: Snow Geese. Registration opens December 4th. Register

16 Seats remaining. 6 pm December 18th Missouri Conservation class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Sustainable Holidays- Wrapping and Recipes. Learn creative, eco-friendly ways to wrap gifts. Register

14 Tickets remaining. 12:30 pm December 19th Missouri Conservation Departmentclass at Tower Grove Park: CSI-  Conservation Scene Investigation. Register

2 pm December 20th St. Louis County Library event at Grant’s View Branch: The Art of Caring for Carnivorous Plants presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

Noon December 22nd Missouri Conservation Department online class: Backyard Birds in Winter and a Warm Cup of Cheer. Learn Bird Identification, Birding Essentials, Bird Sounds, Distinguishing Features. Register

9 Tickets remaining. 4:30 pm December 31st Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: New Year’s Eve Hike at Columbia Bottom. Register

10 am January 1st Piasa Palisades Sierra Club’s New Years Day Hike at Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, Illinois. Register

11 am January 1st Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: First Day Hike. 1.3 miles, hilly, Hickory Ridge Trail. Register

5:15 pm January 3rd The Nature Institute event in Godfrey, Illinois: Moonlight Hike. Register

7 pm January 7th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Zoom class: Natural Landscape Design. Register

6 pm January 8th St. Louis County Library event at Florissant Valley Branch: Houseplant Care. Register (registration opens December 1st)

6:30 pm January 9th Missouri Conservation Department event at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Owl Prowl. Register

15 Tickets remaining. 9 am January 10th Missouri Conservation Department event along Mississippi River, West Alton: Dresser Island Hike. 5 mile or optional 2 mile. Register

35 Seats remaining. 6 pm January 10th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Conservation Trivia Night. Register

1 pm January 13th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum horticulture class: Pruning Trees and Shrubs. Register

Volunteers wanted. 9 am January 17th Heartlands Conservancy event in Waterloo, Illinois: Trout Hollow Hill Prairie Stewardship Day. Register

6:30 pm January 19th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Box-nesting Birds. Register

2 pm January 21st St. Louis County Library event at Meramec Valley Branch: Seed & Houseplant Swap. Register

11 am to 4 pm January 24th 15th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 South Lindbergh Blvd. Seed Swap, Vendors, Raffle. Lable seeds. If you do not have seeds to swap, donate non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear for charity. This is a FB event that someone sent me information on but I don’t share FB links.

4 pm January 28th Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Wiski/Oski (River Cane), A Keystone Species in the Floodplain and in Chickasaw Culture presented by Kent H. Sanmann, Natural Resources Instructor, The College of the Muscogee Nation. Register

9 am to 5 pm January 31st-February 1st Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis 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.

6:30 pm February 2nd Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Aquatic Invertebrates . Register

6:30 pm February 16th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Amphibians, presented by Waylon Hiler, Missouri Valley College . Register

5 pm March 2nd St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Step into Sustainability- Connecting the Dots Between You and Local Climate Action

6 pm March 2nd St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Step into Sustainability- Bird Talk! with the Missouri Department of Conservation

6:30 pm March 2nd Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Missouri Turtles. Register

6 pm March 4th St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Step into Sustainability-  Introduction into Sustainability

March 6th-7th Midwestern Herb & Garden Show in Mount Vernon, Illinois

Noon March 7th St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Step into Sustainability-  A Chick Chat with Second-Hen’d

6 pm March 11th St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Step into Sustainability-  Bees, Pollinators and Native Plants

6:30 pm March 16th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Missouri Fish. Register

6 pm March 25th St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Step into Sustainability-  PFAS the Forever Chemical

9 am March 28th Seed St. Louis Spring Seedling Sale at Carriage House

6:30 pm March 30th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Grassland Birds. Register

9 am April 11th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Learning to Hunt- Wild Edibles, presented by Bo Brown, foraging author and nature educator. Register

April 18th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park, St. Louis County

April 21, 2026, Missouri Invasive Plant Council Callery Pear, Bradford Pear Buyback. Info on 2025 event. No link yet for 2026. Confirmed locations: Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Doniphan, Hannibal, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Kirksville, Lebanon, Liberty, Moberly, Park Hills, Parkville, Riverside, Rolla, Sikeston, Springfield, St. Charles, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Warrensburg, and West Plains.

9 am to 5 pm April 24th St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Fee applies.

2 pm April 25th St. Louis County Library event at Grand Glaize Branch: Plant Swap. Register

9 am May 9th Seed St. Louis Summer Seedling Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 5 pm May 9th St. Louis Hosta 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.

9 am to 5 pm May 16th Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council 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.

May 16th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at The Nature Institute, Godfrey, Illinois

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.

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.

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 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

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

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Two Amaryllis flowers with orange speckled petals and white centers

Plant of the Week: Amaryllis

Nature Conservancy’s Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

January 2nd-31st St. Louis City Public Library annual Martin Luther King Jr. Food Drive, all library locations, to benefit St. Louis Area Foodbank. Donate unopened, unexpired food goods. The Foodbank does offer a list of most requested foods.

Visit a rainforest in St. Louis on a winter day: Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

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

Forest Park Bird Checklist

Now thru Wednesday at Missouri Botanical Garden: Holiday Flower and Train Show. Garden admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

Now thru Saturday Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Glow. Purchase Tickets.

Now thru April 15th On Line Ordering for Missouri Conservation Department annual Tree & Shrub Seedling Sale. They still have Redbud, Elderberry, Witchhazel, and lots more.

February 28th Deadline to apply for Missouri Coalition for the Environment’s High School Student Environmental Action Award

Illinois School Teachers- March 2025 Application process begins for 2026 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant Program

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

When to Plant in Illinois (University of Illinois Extension)

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

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

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

Poinsettia Care Advice (University of Missouri Extension)

Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants for Dogs, Cats. Horses (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

From Garden to Kitchen: the Versatility of Peppermint, includes Peppermint Hot Cocoa and Mint Limeade recipes (University of Illinois Extension)

Interesting scientific paper on the health benefits of Dandelions (National Library of Medicine)

Bayer, Corteva control vast majority of GMO seed patents (Investigate Midwest)

Floridians have no right to bodies of water ‘free of pollution,’ appeals court rules (Florida Phoenix)

Federal government approves 20-year mining ban in part of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Decision splits clean-water activists and mineral industry (South Dakota Searchlight)

Reintroducing bison to Kansas tallgrass prairies promotes biodiversity and resilience, study finds (Kansas Reflector)

USDA’s Tyson Foods investigation collected thousands of documents. Would Donald Trump end it? The USDA has withheld 18,000 records tied to its investigation into Tyson Foods, citing active enforcement. Some worry the inquiry could be dropped under a second Trump presidency (Investigate Midwest)

UK to finish with coal power after 142 years. The UK is about to stop producing any electricity from burning coal – ending its 142-year reliance on the fossil fuel. (BBC)

Lake Michigan waves could be a clean power source for remote spots like Beaver Island (Gift article, Chicago Tribune)

Seed St. Louis Videos: Variety Trials, Virtual Classes, Starting Seeds Indoors, Orchard Tips, Gardening Tips & How Tos, In the Community Garden, Youth Garden Activities & Tips, Teachers in the Garden Tutorials. I will continue promoting the online resources and activities of Seed St. Louis where appropriate. I will not, however, knowingly promote events at Maxine Clark’s school privatization campus named Delmar Divine. It is unfortunate that Seed St. Louis is now a tenant there.

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 —

16 Tickets remaining. 1 pm Tuesday, December 31st, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Year End Hike. Register

8 am Saturday, January 4th, St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

20 Tickets remaining. Noon Saturday, January 4th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Winter Walk with Naturalist. 2/3 mile. Register

1 pm Saturday, January 4th, St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Plants that Changed the Course of History-Volume 1, Missouri Botanical Garden Speakers Bureau.

3 Tickets remaining. 3 pm Saturday, January 4th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Nature Photography with a Phone. Takes place on Tanglevine Trail, 1/3-mile-long flat loop. Register

6:30 pm January 6th Missouri River Bird Observatory Winter Learning Series on Zoom: Series Introduction & Towards Restoration Agriculture in Missouri, presented by Zach Miller, Preserve Engagement Manager, The Nature Conservancy. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am January 9th Heartlands Conservancy event in Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Volunteer Stewardship Day. Register

10 am January 11th Missouri Conservation Department online class: Kestrel Nesting Boxes. Register

19 Seats remaining. 11 am January 11th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register

6 pm January 13th Missouri Conservation Department online class: Suet-Yourself, Homemade Bird Feeders. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am January 12th St. Louis Neighborhood Foresters Tower Grove East Neighborhood Tree Care Blitz. Register

6:30 pm January 13th Missouri River Bird Observatory Winter Learning Series on Zoom: What Can Climate Litigation Teach Us About Holding the Plastics Industry Responsible for Pollution Problems, presented by Bart Elmore, Professor of Environmental History, Ohio State University. Register

10:30 am January 14th Missouri River Bird Observatory event at Ethical Society of St. Louis: The Global Effect of Plastics on the Environment, presented by Dana Ripper, co-founder, MRBO.

6:30 pm January 14th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club documentary screening at Old Bakery Beer, Belleville, Illinois: Water for Life. Register

4 pm January 15th Grow Native! and Missouri Prairie Foundation online Master Class: Seeded Tree Islands for Beauty, Shade, and Native Diversity presented by horticulturist Scott Woodbury. Free to MPF members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 non-members. Register

2 Seats remaining. 8-10 am January 18th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish- All About Trout! Lessons 1 & 2. Register

8 Seats remaining. Ages 16+. 10 am January 11th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Art in the Park, Canvas & Cocoa. Paint a deer. All materials provided. Register

6:30 pm January 20th Missouri River Bird Observatory Winter Learning Series on Zoom: What Can Climate Litigation Teach Us About Holding the Plastics Industry Responsible for Pollution Problems, presented by Bart Elmore, Professor of Environmental History, Ohio State University. Register

2-5 pm January 21st Saint Louis City Recycles will be at Schlafly Library to provide information about recycling in St. Louis. FREE in home recycling bins. 

2 pm January 21st St. Charles City-County Library event at Linnemann Branch: How to Sour Dough with Whole Grains. Register

6 pm January 23rd Collinsville Park & Rec, Illinois class: Food Too Good to Waste Series- Food for Thought- Smart Planning to Reduce Food Waste. $15. Register

January 25th thru March 4th event at Sachs Butterfly House, Faust Park, Chesterfield: Morpho Mardi Gras- Bugs, Rhythm, & Blues. Fee applies

11 am to 4 pm January 25th St. Louis Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap & Homesteading Showcase at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Also, will be an unused equipment/tool/supply exchange. If you do not have seeds to share, please bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products, new kids socks, underwear for local charity.

2 pm January 27th St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Plants that Changed the Course of History-Volume 2, Missouri Botanical Garden Speakers Bureau.

6:30 pm January 27th Missouri River Bird Observatory Winter Learning Series on Zoom: Climate Change Conversations, presented by Jamin Bray, Co-Director, Missouri Environmental Education Association. Register

6 pm January 30th Seed St. Louis Zoom class: Indoor Food Gardening. Register

8 am February 1st St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

February 1st thru March 9th at Missouri Botanical Garden: Orchid Show. Garden admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm February 1st-2nd Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

1 pm February 1st St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Missouri’s Wild Mushrooms; is it Edible? presented by Maxine Stone, author, Missouri’s Wild Mushrooms

5 Seats remaining. 9-11 am February 4th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Pond to Plate, All About Trout! Register

10 Seats remaining. 8-10 am February 8th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Pond to Plate, All About Trout! Register

9 am to 3 pm February 8th Eagle Days at Audubon Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton, Missouri

11 am February 8th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens January11th

1 pm February 15th St. Louis Public Library event at Divoll Library: What’s All the Buzz About Natives? presented by Sue Leahy from Wild Ones.

2 pm February 15th St. Louis Public Library Seed Swap at Carpenter Library in partnership with Urban Harvest STL

7:30 am to Noon February 21st Grow Native! Southwest Illinois Workshop at Lewis & Clark Community College, Edwardsville, Illinois: Stormwater Challenges & Native Plant Solutions. $25 for MPF members and Grow Native! professional members, $15 for students with a valid student ID, and $30 for non-members. Includes breakfast. Register

March 1st St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Lore and Legend of Herbs with St. Louis Herb Society

11 am March 8th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens February 8th

9 am to Noon March 22nd Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings.

1 pm March 22nd St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Critical for Gardening- Get the Dirt on Soil, Missouri Botanical Gardens Master Gardener Speakers Bureau

April 6th & 7th Baker Creek Tulip Festival in Mansfield, Wright County, MO, about a 3 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City

7 am to 5 pm April 12th Veterans Free Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon MO

9 am April 12th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual class: Learning to Hunt- Wild Edibles presented by Bo Brown. Register

9 am to Noon April 22nd Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

11 am April 12th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens March 15th

6 pm April 24th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual class: Learning to Hunt- Mushrooms. Register

9 am to 4 pm April 25th St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden parking lot.

6 pm May 1st St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Plant Predators- An Introduction to Carnivorous Plants with Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

20 seats remaining. 10 am May 3rd St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Tomatoes 101. Register

1 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Meet the Pack: Animals of the Endangered Wolf Center

May 4th-5th Baker Creek Spring Planting Festival in Mansfield, Wright County, MO, about a 3 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City

9 am to Noon May 10th Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm May 10th St. Louis Hosta Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

11 am May 10th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens April 12th

9 am to 5 pm May 11th Greater St. Louis Iris Society Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Included with Garden Admission Fee.

5 pm May 15th St. Louis Public Library event at Walnut Park Library: Wild Hearts- Understanding Animal Behavior in the Wild with St. Louis Zoo

9 am to 5 pm May 17th Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm May 24th-25th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to Noon June 21st Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm June 21st Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

June 21-22 St. Louis Water Garden Society Pond-A-Rama tour. Tickets

9 am to 5 pm August 2nd-3rd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

Noon to 5 pm August 10th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Admission Fee applies. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to Noon August 16 Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm August 16th Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Association Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to 5 pm September 6th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

9 am to Noon September 27th Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

October 3rd-5th Best of Missouri Market at Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is usually a vendor and this is last opportunity to purchase native plants in St. Louis City for the year. Admission Fee applies.

October 5th-6th Baker Creek Fall Harvest Festival in Mansfield, Wright County, MO, about a 3 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis or Kansas City

Join us Sundays on Bluesky for #GardenSunday.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Amaryllis Minerva. December 2023 photo of two orange red with white throats trumpet-like flowers on stems on windowsill

Plant of the Week: Brighten up your home or office this winter with Amaryllis and learn to care for it year round.

Upcoming Illinois Educator Nature Workshops offered by Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Missouri Master Naturalist Program

The perfect holiday or birthday gift for the person who has everything: Adopt a Regal Fritillary Butterfly via Missouri Prairie Foundation

Only 5 weeks until time to start leeks and onions by seed indoors. It’s never too early to start planning your 2024 Garden: Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Want a front yard native landscape makeover? Enter Grow Native! and Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter 2024 Landscape Challenge

Gardening by Month- Tips, Tasks, Problems: December (Missouri Botanical Garden)

December Garden To Do List (P. Allen Smith)

Small Meat processors say USDA measures don’t address consolidated industry’s root problems (Missouri Independent)

Good Reads & Views—

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

If you’re in 6a-7a zones, there is a ton of useful gardening information available on Seed St. Louis YouTube channel

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

Thru December 31st Sachs Butterfly House: Winter Jewels- An Enchanted Celebration, Chesterfield, St. Louis County. Tickets

Thru January 6th Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden. Tickets

Thru January 31st at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood: Agents of Discovery: Migration or Hibernation. Show off your nature knowledge to win prizes!

4 pm Wednesday, December 6th, Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Honduras- A Natural Haven for Migratory Birds. Register.

10 am Thursday, December 7th, Seed, St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Tree Saps & Syrups. Register

6-8:30 pm Thursday, December 7th, Missouri Coalition for the Environment Holiday Party, University City, St. Louis County. Register

8 am Saturday, December 9th, Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lesson 1. 3 Seats remaining. Register

1 pm Saturday, December 9th, St. Louis Public Library In Person Event @ Carpenter Library: All About Eagles with World Bird Sanctuary. Register.

8 am Sunday, December 10th, Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lesson 2. 10 Seats remaining. Register

8:30 am December 13th Piasa Sierra Club event @ La Vista Trail, Godfrey, Illinois: Invasive Species Management Training & Work Day. Register.

Noon December 13th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Winter Woodpeckers. Register

6 pm December 14th Seed St. Louis In Person Class: Growing Fruit from Winter Cuttings. Registration Not Required.

9 am December 15th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Backyard Bird Watching. Register.

8 am December 16th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lesson 1. 5 Seats remaining. Register

10 am December 16th Piasa Sierra Club event: Treehouse Wildlife Center Tour, Jersey County, Illinois. $5. Register.

8 am December 17th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lesson 2. 3 Seats remaining. Register

9 am December 19th Missouri Conservation Department Guided Walk: The Sights & Sounds of Powder Valley Nature Conservation Area, Kirkwood

2 pm December 19th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Creature Feature- River Otter. Register

4 pm December 20th Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Challenges and Opportunities for Conserving Rare Grassland Plants. Register.

8 am December 24th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lessons 1 & 2. 7 Seats remaining. Register

10 am December 29th Missouri Conservation Department Class at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood: The Snakes of Powder Valley. Register

9 am December 30th Missouri Conservation Department family event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center: Ask a Naturalist

4:30 pm December 31st Missouri Conservation Department New Year’s Eve Stroll to the Confluence, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. 15 Tickets remaining. Register.

8 am January 1st Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lesson 1. 10 Seats remaining. Register

8:30 am January 1st Piasa Sierra Club event: New Years Day Hike @ Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, Illinois. Register.

3 pm January 5th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Mammals of MO- Extirpated and Naturalized. Register

8 am January 7th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lesson 2. 10 Seats remaining. Register

How well do you know Missouri wildlife? 6 pm January 12th Missouri Conservation Department Trivia Night at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center. Register

8 am January 13th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lesson 1. 10 Seats remaining. Register

2 pm January 13th St. Louis Public Library In Person Class @ Carpenter Library: Intro to Plant-spotting- Common St. Louis Flowers & Weeds.

8 am January 14th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class @ Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish, All About Trout, Lesson 2. 10 Seats remaining. Register

January 15th Deadline for Missouri community gardens, conservation groups, parks, schools to apply for Missouri Prairie Foundation Prairie Garden Grants

January 27th thru February 25th Orchid Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission is free to residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

1 pm February 10th St. Louis Public Library Class @ Central Library: Top 10 Orchids for Home. Register.

February 28th Deadline to apply for Missouri Coalition for the Environment High School Student Environmental Action Award

1 pm March 6th St. Louis Public Library In Person Class @ Central Library: Alien Invasion! Plants with Betsy Alexander, Master Gardener from the Missouri Botanical Gardens Master Gardener Program. Register.

March 8th-9th Midwestern Herb & Garden Show in Mount Vernon, Illinois (little over an hour drive from St. Louis City)

2 pm April 8th St. Louis Public Library program at Central Library: Plants, Pollen, and Allergies. Register.


Join us Sundays on Bluesky or Twitter for #GardenSunday to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.