This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Chamomile– pretty, pollinator friendly, a sweet apple scent, makes a great tea.

How you can support St. Louis’ tornado relief efforts — and get help if you need it (St. Louis Public Radio)

For those with a Bluesky account, here’s an excellent thread on St. Louis Tornado Mutual Aid by Brooke Foster

Seed St. Louis Raised Bed Plant Spacing Chart

Plan your garden with Seed St. Louis 2025 Planting Calendar.
-> Transplant This Week: Perennials, Trees, Basil, Eggplant, Melons, Peppers, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes
-> Sow Outdoors This Week: Basil, Beans, Cucumbers, Melons, Okra, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, Winter Squash

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Plant Meet Up #6 at Art Bar, Angard Arts Hotel; Highland IL Garden Club Plant Sale

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

River City Outdoors St. Louis now offers a Gear Lending Library for outdoor recreation equipment rentals to St. Louis City residents and St. Louis regional organizations that take children, families, and groups on outdoor trips.

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

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

Should I Prune Tomato Plants? Are your tomato plants putting out side shoots? Learn whether you need to prune tomato plants to keep them productive. (Mother Earth News)

Major Environmental Agencies Facing Budget Cuts in FY2026 (Wild Ones)

Vegetable plot dig unearths crop of vintage bottles (BBC)

Wichita gardeners urged to grow and give to fight hunger as Plant a Row marks 25 years (Kansas State University Extension Service)

Champion Trees: A Celebration of Giants (Wild Ones)

Tribes fear consequences for Great Lakes as Trump administration fast-tracks Line 5 pipeline. Aging infrastructure poses a risk to the drinking water of tens of millions, activists and Indigenous communities say. (Gift Article, Chicago Tribune)

Royal Horticultural Society ambassador for communities quits, saying he was made to feel a ‘nuisance’ (The Guardian)

‘Wildlife are in crisis’: Arkansas expert opines on proposed change to Endangered Species Act. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission vows to do what’s best for the state’s wildlife and habitats (Arkansas Advocate)

Trump administration wants to remove protections for threatened Kansas bird (Kansas Reflector)

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

Volunteers Wanted. 9-11 am Tuesdays and Thursdays in May- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant It Forward program. Help dig tulips and other perennial varieties, clear display beds of debris, plant species for Summer/Fall season. Register

Volunteers Wanted. Brightside St. Louis May Blitz events.

Now thru June 20th at Soulard Art Gallery: Art of Nature Exhibit

Now thu July 28th Art Exhibit at Kemper Art Museum, Washington University- Seeds: Containers of a World to Come

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

1:30 pm Tuesday, May 20th, University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Managing Common Squash and Pumpkin Pests. Register

5 pm Tuesday, May 20th, Wild Ones webinar for native plant newcomers: Native Plants Planted Right: A Practical Guide for Beginners on YouTube

10 am Wednesday, May 21st, St. Louis County Library class at Weber Road Branch: Growing Herbs in Containers presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register

Noon Wednesday, May 21st, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Intro to Canoe and Kayak. Register

2 pm Wednesday, May 21st, Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Cultivating Native Seeds in the Landscape. Register

Ages 10 years to Adult. 2:30 pm Wednesday, May 21st, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual event: Citizen Science- Butterfly Surveys. Register

4 pm Wednesday, May 21st, Grow Native! Zoom Master Class: Native Perennials for Planting on Slopes. Free to all Missouri Prairie Foundation dues-paying members and Grow Native! professional members, or $15 for non-members. Register

6 pm Thursday, May 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Designing a Native Wildflower Garden. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, May 23rd-24th, 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.

Saturday, May 24th Missouri Conservation Department event at Creve Coeur Park-Lake: Kayaking & Carp. Must be at least 14 years of age and know how to swim. All equipment provided. Learn about invasive carp removal and paddling equipment, paddling safety, and how to paddle a kayak on a lake. Register for 10 am program. Register for 1 pm program.

3 pm Saturday, May 24th, St. Louis County event at Clark Branch: Seed & Plant Swap. Register

9 am to 5 pm Saturday-Sunday, 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.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Sunday, May 24th, Heartlands Conservancy event in Edwardsville IL: Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Stewardship Day. Help protect and restore one of Illinois’ rarest habitats, this sand prairie and sand savanna site. Register

2 pm Sunday, May 24th, Missouri Conservation Department & River City Outdoors class at Tower Grove Park: Outdoor Preparedness– Camping 101. Register. River City Outdoors runs a Free Outdoor Gear Lending Library for St. Louis City residents

May 26th Deadline to order native plants online from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up Saturday, May 31st, at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market

Ages 9 to Adult. May 28th Missouri Conservation Department workshop at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Introduction to Archery. Register for Noon class. Register for 3:30 pm class.

6 pm May 28th St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: How To Find An Owl In Your Neighborhood, presented by naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw, aka “The Owl Man.” Register

6 pm May 29th St. Louis County Library event at Sachs Branch, Chesterfield: Reading Garden Book Walk. Get book recommendations, snacks, and library themed gifts and prizes. Register

6 pm May 29th Seed St. Louis class at Bell Community Garden: Garden Design 101. Register

6 pm May 29th St. Louis County Library event at Sachs Branch, Chesterfield: Reading Garden Book Walk. Get book recommendations, snacks, and library themed gifts and prizes. Register

5 pm May 30th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Orienteering and GPS- Geocaching. Register

8 am to 4 pm May 31st Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online by previous Monday for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

8:30 am to Noon May 31st Urban Gardening Symposium at Brightside St. Louis Demonstration Garden. $10. Register

9 am to Noon May 31st Northside Workshop event in Old North: Decolonize the Garden- From Seeds to Bees. Register

9 am to Noon May 31st Grow Native! 25th Anniversary Event: Greenscape Gardens Open House, Ballwin

11 am to 7 pm May 31st Missouri State Parks Native Plants Weekend at Washington State Park, DeSoto, Jefferson County, Missouri

3 pm June 1st Plant Meet Up #6 at Art Bar, Angard Arts Hotel . Bring plants to trade or show off. Register

2 pm June 3rd St. Louis County Library Virtual Class: Food Forests – Building a Food-Producing Ecosystem. Register

Noon June 4th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Foraging for Summer Chanterelles. Register

2 pm June 4th St. Louis County Library class at Parkview Branch: Four Season Gardening presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

2 pm June 4th St. Louis City Public Library event at Barr Library: Wild in the City- Animals That Call St. Louis Home presented by Missouri Conservation Department.

4 pm June 4th Missouri Prairie Foundation webinar: Not Just for Ducks … Reframing Wetland Conservation. Register

For ages 12-18. 4:30 pm June 4th St. Louis Public Library event at Kingshighway Library: Wildflower Seed Ball Making

10 am June 5th Gratree Farm event in Wentzville, St. Charles County: U-Cut Lavender Grand Opening. Register

For ages 6-12 years. 10:30 am June 5th St. Louis City Public Library event at Baden Library: Serengeti Steve’s Reptile Experience

6 pm June 5th Seed St. Louis class at Bell Community Garden: Garden Tools 101. Register

Family friendly. 10 Tickets remaining. 6 pm June 5th Missouri Conservation Department workshop at Forest Park Fish Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

1 pm June 6th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Nature Printmaking Tree Rings. Register

2 pm June 6th St. Louis County Library class at Lewis & Clark Branch: Four Season Gardening presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

8 am to Noon June 7th Highland Garden Club Plant Sale at Korte Rec Center, Highland, Illinois

8 am to 4 pm June 7th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online by previous Monday for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

8 pm June 7th St. Louis Astronomical Society event at Tower Grove Park: Stargazing

10 am to 5 pm June 7th-8th Lafayette Square Spring House & Garden Tour. Tickets $40 + fee

For ages 13-17 years. 10 am to 2 pm June 7th St. Louis Public Library event at Carondelet Library: Teen Clean Up Day in Carondelet. Pick up trash in the neighborhood, clean garden beds, plant flowers. Tools, water, lunch provided. Register

For ages 13-17 years. 10 am to 2 pm June 14th St. Louis Public Library event at Kingshighway Library: Teen Clean Up Day. Pick up trash in the neighborhood, clean garden beds, plant flowers. Tools, water, lunch provided. Register

11 am June 14th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register

11 am June 14th Waste Connections Sustainability Campus class at Maryland Heights: Open Program Day- Bees, Pollinators, Native Plants

1 pm June 14th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Herbs in the Civil War!

1 pm June 14th St. Louis County Library event at Thornhill Branch: Plant Swap. Register

10 am June 16th St. Louis County Library event at Grant’s View Branch: Edible Landscaping presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

6 pm June 17th St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluffs Branch, Florissant: Harvesting and Preserving Herbs presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register

8:30 am June 21st Seed St. Louis Tour de Plants (bike ride), Southwest City Edition. $15 suggested donation. Register

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.

10 am June 21st Grow Native! Native Garden of Excellence Tour: Native Plant Garden at Ladue City Hall. Register

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

2 pm June 23rd St. Louis County Library class at Cliff Cave Branch: Four Seasons Gardening presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

For Kids ages 3-9 years. 2 pm June 24th St. Louis County Library event at Sachs Branch, Chesterfield: Super Seeds presented by Missouri Botanical Garden. Explore how seeds travel and take home seeds for your next garden. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 25th Kimmswick Visitor Center 25th Annual Daylily Sale. 35 Minute drive from St. Louis. Go early for best selection.

11 am July 26th St. Louis Public Library event at Carpenter Library: Birds in Your Backyard, Birds in Your City: An Ornithological Summer Series- Session 2: Habitat Helpers: Won’t You Be My NeighBIRD? presented by Missouri Conservation Department. Register

5:30 pm June 26th Missouri Coalition for the Environment St. Louis Chats for Change at Modern Brewing

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 27th-28th, 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.

11 am June 28th St. Louis Public Library event at Carpenter Library: Birds in Your Backyard, Birds in Your City: An Ornithological Summer Series- Session 1: Birding 101: Missouri’s KAKAWphony of Species presented by Missouri Conservation Department. Register

July 1st St. Louis Count Library Virtual Class: Container Gardening – Fruit, Vegetables and Microgreens presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

For Kids ages 6-12 years. 2 pm July 5th St. Louis County Library event at Daniel Boone Branch, Ellisville: Wild About Watermelon. Register

For Kids. 1 pm July 8th St. Louis Public Library event at Carondelet Library: Swinging Through the Rainforest presented by Missouri Botanical Garden. Discover which animals and plants live in the layers of the rainforest. Take home a rainforest plant to start your own jungle. Register

For Kids ages 5-12 years. 3:30 pm July 9th St. Louis Public Library event at Baden Library: Bees and Butterflies Stories and Crafts. Register

11 am July 12th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens June 14th

2 pm July 25th St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: Food Preservation 101- Canning presented by University of Missouri Extension

1 pm July 26th St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: Herbs Around the Mediterranean

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.

1 pm August 2nd St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: Harvesting and Preserving Herbs

11 am August 9th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens July 12th

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 August 16th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

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.

11 am July 26th St. Louis Public Library event at Tower Grove Park: Birds in Your Backyard, Birds in Your City: An Ornithological Summer Series- Session 3: Bird Walk with Missouri Conservation Department. Register

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.

8 am to Noon September 13th Edwardsville IL Garden Club Plant Sale at St. Mary’s Church Parking Lot

2 pm September 17th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Missouri Native Trees and Shrubs for Urban Landscapes. Register

10 am to 2 pm September 22nd Bring Conservation Home Expo at Tower Grove Park. Missouri Wildflower Nursery and other vendors will be selling but you can also order plants for pick up at the event.

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.

2 pm October 1st Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: St. Louis Native Plants in a Changing Climate. Register

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

2 pm October 15th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Native Gardening Maintenance Tips, Tricks and Hacks. Register

9 am October 18th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

Join us Sundays on Bluesky for #GardenSunday.

St. Louis Area Seed and Plant Swaps and Sales

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

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.

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.

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

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

March 7th-8th Midwestern Herb & Garden Show in Mount Vernon, Illinois

9 am March 8th Seed St. Louis March Plant Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell: Potatoes, Onions, Strawberries, Asparagus, more

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

2 pm March 15th St. Louis Public Library event at Divoll Library: Seed Swap

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

9 am to 4 pm April 25th St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden parking lot. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

May 2nd-3rd Shaw Nature Reserve Spring Wildflower Market

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 May 10th Seed St. Louis Summer Seedling & Sweet Potato Slip Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

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 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 July 26th-27th Shaw Cactus & Succulent Sale at Jost Event Center, St. Louis County

9 am August 16th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

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

9 am October 18th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

Join us Sundays on Bluesky for #GardenSunday.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Poppies

Sow Outdoors This Week: Basil, Beans, Corn, Cucumber, Edamame, Melons, Okra, Squash, Tomatillo
Transplant This Week: Perennials + Basil, Eggplant, Melons, Peppers, Tomatillo, Tomato, Squash, Sweet Potato
Plan your garden with NEW 2024 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

St. Louis Post-Dispatch Garden Contest

If you are only looking for St. Louis Area (Missouri and Illinois) Plant Sales & Swaps, here’s a page for them.

Want to buy food in St. Louis Area grown with environmentally responsible and ethical practices? Check out Missouri Coalition for the Environment Known & Grown Farm Directory

August 31st Deadline to Enter Missouri Conservation Department’s Busch Conservation Area (St. Charles Mo) Wildlife Photography Contest. Submit photos of native Mo wildlife, trees, plants at Busch Conservation Area or Weldon Spring Conservation Area.

September 1st Deadline to Enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources Photography Contest. Submit photos of Natural Resources, Unique Places (state parks, historic sites), People Enjoying Outdoors

Good Reads/Listens —

Saving Bull Creek, a Public Televion story about the history of and conservation efforts for an Ozarks watershed (Ozarks Public Television)

Crows Rival Human Toddlers in Counting Skills (Scientific American)

Hey, boxwood owners: These invasive moths are poised to proliferate across North America. Much of the continent’s climate is “very suitable” for box tree moths, researchers say. Gift article (Washington Post)

Louisiana’s coast is sinking. Advocates say the governor is undermining efforts to save it. Since the 1930s, Louisiana has lost over 2,000 square miles of land, an area roughly the size of Delaware. Gift article (Washington Post)

Container Gardening Tips
Native Plants: Grow Native!
Veggies: Missouri Botanical Garden
5 Tips For Successfully Growing Plants In Containers: P. Allen Smith

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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 —

Day Trip for Lavender: It’s You Pick season at Missouri’s largest lavender farm- Battlefield Lavender in Centralia, Boone County

11 am Tuesday, May 28th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Snakes of Missouri. Register

10 am Tuesday, May 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

6 Tickets remaining. 3 pm Wednesday, May 29th, Missouri Conservation Department In-Person Class at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Beginning Archery. Register

1 pm Thursday, May 30th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Landscaping with Native Plants. Register

6 Tickets remaining. 1 pm Friday, May 31st, Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Powder Valley Conservation Area: Wildflower Walk . Register

8 am to 4 pm Saturday, June 1st, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will be at Kirkwood Farmers Market selling Native Plants

9 am to Noon Saturday, June 1st, Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium. Native Plant & Design Experts, Workshops, Plant Sale. $10. Register

10 am Saturday, June 1st, St. Louis County Library Indoor & Outdoor Plant Swap @ Samuel C. Sachs Branch- Register

10 am to 5 pm, Saturday, June 1st, Green Living Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

Noon Saturday Forest ReLeaf event at 4642 Shenandoah, Southwest Garden : Rhythm and Roots, New Office Open House & Concert

24 Seats remaining. 2 pm Saturday, June 1st, Missouri Botanical Garden Speaker Series at Central Library: Plants that Changed the Course of History. Register

5:30 pm Saturday, June 1st, Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Sunset Stroll with Master Guide. Register.

4 pm June 3rd St. Louis County Library Plant & Seed Swap @ Thornhill Branch- Register

5:30 pm June 4th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Sunset Stroll with Master Guide. Register.

10 am Jun 5th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

3 pm June 5th St. Louis County Library Outdoor Plant & Blub Swap @ Prairie Commons Branch- Register

4 pm June 5th Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Documenting Multiple Types of Pollinators Through Photography. Register

10 am June 8th How to Trellis Tomatoes Class at Heru Farms, Florissant. Register

June 9th Missouri Botanical Garden sponsored Private Garden Tour. Tickets: $50 MoBot Member, $65 Nonmember

5:30-7:30 June 11th Missouri Coalition for the Environment Chat for Change at MCE office, University City. Sounds like a happy hour for environmentalists and conservationists. Register

6:30 pm June 11th Piasa Sierra Club June Speaker at Old Bakery Beer, Alton IL: Our Wetlands Cooperative in Metroeast presented by Dr. Jenny Mullikin, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. Register

5:30 pm June 12th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Sunset Stroll with Master Guide. Register.

6:30 pm June 14th event at The Garden Shop on Hampton: Sip & Soil, an evening of painting, planting, cocktail making. $35. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 15th Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am June 15th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

10 am June 20th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Water for the Garden. Register

6 pm June 20th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Vermicomposting, aka Worm Composting. $12. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 22nd Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale, Jefferson County Mo

9 am to to 5 pm June 22-23 St. Louis Water Garden Society Pond-O-Rama Tour

11 am to 1 pm June 23rd Piasa Sierra Club event at La Vista Park, Godfrey, IL: Pollinator Party. Register

June 30th Greater St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour

6 pm July 2nd St. Louis County Library Indoor Plant Swap at Prairie Commons Branch

2 pm July 6th St Louis County Library In-Person Class at Mid-County Branch: Planning Your Tea Garden. Register

July 20st-22nd Shaw Cactus & Succulent Society Cactus & Succulent Sale, St. Louis County

9 am to 5 pm August 3rd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Iris Sale at at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

August 10th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale

9 am to 5 pm August 17th Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Association Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10-11:30 am August 17th Homegrown Hot Sauce Class with Urban Harvest’s Chef Queenie at Rung, Fox Park. Register

Noon to 5 pm August 18th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission fee required.

3-7 pm September 6th Shaw Nature Reserve Fall Wildflower Market

9 am to 5 pm September 7th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

September 13th, 14th, 15th Kirkwood Greentree Festival at Kirkwood Park. Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society sells Daffodil bulbs at this event.

9 am to 5 pm September 28th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

September 22nd Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Expo at Tower Grove Park

October 5th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Common Milkweed. These spread fast, so give them plenty of room. Ours are five feet tall.

Sow Outdoors This Week: Basil, Beans, Corn, Cucumbers, Edamame, Tomatillo, Melon, Okra, Summer Squash, Tomato, Winter Squash
Transplant This Week: Perennials + Basil, Beans, Eggplant, Tomatillo, Melon, Peppers, Summer Squash, Sweet Potato Slips, Tomato
Plan your garden with NEW 2024 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

If you are only looking for St. Louis Area (Missouri and Illinois) Plant Sales & Swaps, here’s a page for them.

Want to buy food in St. Louis Area grown with environmentally responsible and ethical practices? Check out Missouri Coalition for the Environment Known & Grown Farm Directory

Grow Native Professional Certification Program

Good Reads/Listens —

A St. Louis farmer wants more north city residents to grow their own food (St. Louis Public Radio)

Fire is a lost tradition in Missouri. Meet the council reigniting the practice. For generations, Missouri’s Native American tribes used fire to maintain grasslands and push back forests. A council is trying to reignite the practice. (KSDK)

Container Gardening Tips
Native Plants: Grow Native!
Veggies: Missouri Botanical Garden
5 Tips For Successfully Growing Plants In Containers: P. Allen Smith

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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 —

11:30 am to 4:30 pm thru March 31st, 2025 Missouri Botanical Garden multimedia exhibit at Sachs Museum- Kernels of Culture: Maize Around the World. Garden Admission is Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am every Monday St. Louis Public Library Outdoor Storytime in Forest Park, Albrecht Nature Playscape.

Order by Monday before Saturday for pick up or shop from what they bring. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is at Kirkwood Farmers Market 8 am to 4 pm Saturdays, May 25th and June 1st.

6:30 pm Tuesday, May 21st, KC Area Mid Continent Public Library Zoom Class: Hummingbirds 101. Register

10 am Wednesday, May 22nd, Bellefontaine Cemetery Springtime History & Horticulture Tour with Master Guide. Register

4 pm Wednesday, May 22nd, Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: EDDMapS Training- Learning How to Document Invasive Plants. Register

6 pm Wednesday, May 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Naturalist Notes- Hummingbirds. Register

2 Seats remaining. Ages 0-7 years. 10:30 am Thursday, May 23rd, Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Conservation Kids- You and Me under the Canopy: Get a Life Cycle! Register

4 Tickets remaining. 3 pm Thursday, May 23rd, Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

6 pm Thursday, May 23rd, Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Building a Healthy Garden & Orchard Ecosystem. Register

5:30-7:30 pm Friday, May 24th, support beautiful Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum at Beer Barons Tour: Beer Barons Chapter II – Suppliers to Brewers. Tickets $30. Register

18 Tickets remaining. 7:30 pm Friday, May 24th, Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Off the Beaten Trail Evening Nature Walk. Register

9 Tickets remaining. 7:30 pm, Friday, May 24th Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Area: Dusk Hike. Register

8:30 am to 1 pm Saturday, May 25th, Macoupin County IL Master Gardener Plant Sale @ Macoupin County Historical Society, Carlinville IL

9 am to 5 pm Saturday, May 25th, Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am Saturday, May 25th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

1-2 pm Saturday, May 25th, New Roots Urban Farm Workshop: Planting Sunflowers 101 with Farmer Twan, St. Louis Place. Register

11 am May 28th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Snakes of Missouri. Register

6 Tickets remaining. 3 pm May 29th Missouri Conservation Department In-Person Class at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Beginning Archery. Register

1 pm May 30th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Landscaping with Native Plants. Register

17 Tickets remaining. 1 pm May 31st Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Powder Valley Conservation Area: Wildflower Walk . Register

9 am to Noon June 1st Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium. Native Plant & Design Experts, Workshops, Plant Sale. $10. Register

10 am June 1st St. Louis County Library Plant Swap @ Samuel C. Sachs Branch- Register

27 Seats remaining. 2 pm June 1st Missouri Botanical Garden Speaker Series at Central Library: Plants that Changed the Course of History. Register

June 1st Green Living Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

4 pm June 3rd St. Louis County Library Plant Swap @ Thornhill Branch- Register

3 pm June 5th St. Louis County Library Plant Swap @ Prairie Commons Branch- Register

4 pm June 5th Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Documenting Multiple Types of Pollinators Through Photography. Register

10 am June 8th How to Trellis Tomatoes Class at Heru Farms, Florissant. Register

June 9th Missouri Botanical Garden sponsored Private Garden Tour. Tickets: $50 MoBot Member, $65 Nonmember

5:30-7:30 June 11th Missouri Coalition for the Environment Chat for Change at MCE office, University City. Sounds like a happy hour for environmentalists and conservationists. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 15th Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am June 20th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Water for the Garden. Register

6 pm June 20th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Vermicomposting, aka Worm Composting. $12. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 22nd Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale, Jefferson County Mo

9 am to to 5 pm June 22-23 St. Louis Water Garden Society Pond-O-Rama Tour

11 am to 1 pm June 23rd Piasa Sierra Club event at La Vista Park, Godfrey, IL: Pollinator Party. Register

July 20st-22nd Shaw Cactus & Succulent Society Cactus & Succulent Sale, St. Louis County

June 30th Greater St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour

9 am to 5 pm August 3rd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Iris Sale at at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

August 10th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale

10-11:30 am August 17th Homegrown Hot Sauce Class with Urban Harvest’s Chef Queenie at Rung, Fox Park. Register

Noon to 5 pm August 18th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission fee required.

3-7 pm September 6th Shaw Nature Reserve Fall Wildflower Market

September 13th, 14th, 15th Kirkwood Greentree Festival at Kirkwood Park. Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society sells Daffodil bulbs at this event.

9 am to 5 pm September 28th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

September 22nd Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Expo at Tower Grove Park

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Alliums

Sow Outdoors This Week: Basil, Beans, Corn, Cucumber, Melons, Okra, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomato, Winter Squash
Transplant This Week: Perennials + Basil, Eggplant, Melons, Peppers, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomato
Plan your garden with NEW 2024 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

If you are only looking for St. Louis Area (Missouri and Illinois) Plant Sales & Swaps, here’s a page for them.

Want to buy food in St. Louis Area grown with environmentally responsible and ethical practices? Check out Missouri Coalition for the Environment Known & Grown Farm Directory

Grow Native Professional Certification Program

Good Reads —

Why you should let your grass grow. See what happens when you stop mowing your lawn. Gifted article (Washington Post)

May Gardening Tips from University of Missouri Extension

Gardening by Month: May Tips, Tasks, Problems from Missouri Botanical Garden

Care of Spring bulbs after flowering (University of Missouri Extension)

Container Gardening Tips
Native Plants: Grow Native!
Veggies: Missouri Botanical Garden
5 Tips For Successfully Growing Plants In Containers: P. Allen Smith

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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 —

Volunteers Wanted. Check out upcoming Brightside St. Louis Neighborhood Clean Up & Beatification events.

10 am every Monday St. Louis Public Library Outdoor Storytime in Forest Park, Albrecht Nature Playscape.

10 am Tuesday, May 14th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

6:30 pm Tuesday, May 14th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club May Speaker: Kill Your Lawn for the Birds at Old Bakery Beer, Alton IL. Register

10 am Wednesday, May 15th, Bellefontaine Cemetery Springtime History & Horticulture Tour with Master Guide. Register

6 pm Wednesday, May 15th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Outdoor Survival, Bushcraft Skills Series- Knife, Axe, Saw. Register

Noon Thursday, May 16th, The Giving Grove Zoom Class: Spring Orchard Care- Timely Tasks for a Healthy Space. Register

8 am to 1 pm Saturday, May 18th, Wild Ones Illinois Prairie Chapter Native Plant Sale at Carlock, McLean County IL

9 am Saturday, May 18th, Seed St. Louis Summer Seedling & Sweeet Potato Slip Sale Part II: Veggies, Herbs, Annuals $3.50 each: Basil, Egglplant, Helenium Amarum, Jalapenos, Parsley, Sweet Pepper, Tomatillo, Tomatoes. Perennials $6 each: Lavender Munstead, Mountain Mint, Rhubarb, Sea Kale, Sorrel, Wild Arugula. Bring a box lid for your purchases. Get in line early for best selection.

9 am to 4 pm Saturday, May 18th, St. Louis Audubon and St. Louis Wild Ones Native Plant Garden Tour. $20

10 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 18th, Plant America Garden Expo at Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center, St Charles MO.

10 am Saturday, May 18th, St. Louis County Library Plant Swap @ Meramec Valley Branch- Register

Volunteers Wanted. 11 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 18th, Peace Park Partners and Green City Coalition event: Planting Blitz at Peace Park, Grand @ Strodtman, College Hill Neighborhood. Register

Noon Saturday, May 18th, Missouri Conservation Department Online Class: Blooming Wildflowers. Register

7:30 pm Saturday, May 18th, St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

Ages 8+. 8:30 am Sunday, May 19th, St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

6:30 pm May 21st KC Area Mid Continent Public Library Zoom Class: Hummingbirds 101. Register

10 am May 22nd Bellefontaine Cemetery Springtime History & Horticultutre Tour with Master Guide. Register

4 pm May 22nd Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: EDDMapS Training- Learning How to Document Invasive Plants. Register

6 pm May 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Naturalist Notes- Hummingbirds. Register

6 Seats remaining. Ages 0-7 years. 10:30 am May 23rd Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Conservation Kids- You and Me under the Canopy: Get a Life Cycle! Register

3 pm May 23rd Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

6 pm May 23rd Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Building a Healthy Garden & Orchard Ecosystem. Register

5:30-7:30 pm May 24th support beautiful Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum at Beer Barons Tour: Beer Barons Chapter II – Suppliers to Brewers. Tickets $30. Register

17 Tickets remaining. 7:30 pm May 24th Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Off the Beaten Trail Evening Nature Walk. Register

10 Tickets remaining. 7:30 pm May 24th Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Area: Dusk Hike. Register

8:30 am to 1 pm May 25th Macoupin County IL Master Gardener Plant Sale @ Macoupin County Historical Society, Carlinville IL

9 am to 5 pm May 25th Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am May 25th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

1-2 pm May 25th New Roots Urban Farm Workshop: Planting Sunflowers 101 with Farmer Twan, St. Louis Place. Register

11 am May 28th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Snakes of Missouri. Register

6 Tickets remaining. 3 pm May 29th Missouri Conservation Department In-Person Class at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Beginning Archery. Register

1 pm May 30th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Landscaping with Native Plants. Register

1 pm May 31st Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Powder Valley Conservation Area: Wildflower Walk . Register

9 am to Noon June 1st Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium. Native Plant & Design Experts, Workshops, Plant Sale. $10. Register

10 am June 1st St. Louis County Library Plant Swap @ Samuel C. Sachs Branch- Register

June 1st (not confirmed) Lafayette Square Neighborhood Garden Tour & Antique Fair

27 Seats remaining. 2 pm June 1st Missouri Botanical Garden Speaker Series at Central Library: Plants that Changed the Course of History. Register

June 1st Green Living Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

4 pm June 3rd St. Louis County Library Plant Swap @ Thornhill Branch- Register

3 pm June 5th St. Louis County Library Plant Swap @ Prairie Commons Branch- Register

4 pm June 5th Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Documenting Multiple Types of Pollinators Through Photography. Register

10 am June 8th How to Trellis Tomatoes Class at Heru Farms, Florissant. Register

June 9th Missouri Botanical Garden sponsored Private Garden Tour. Tickets: $50 MoBot Member, $65 Nonmember

5:30-7:30 June 11th Missouri Coalition for the Environment Chat for Change at MCE office, University City. Sounds like a happy hour for environmentalists and conservationists. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 15th Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am June 20th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Water for the Garden. Register

6 pm June 20th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Vermicomposting, aka Worm Composting. $12. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 22nd Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale, Jefferson County Mo

9 am to to 5 pm June 22-23 St. Louis Water Garden Society Pond-O-Rama Tour

11 am to 1 pm June 23rd Piasa Sierra Club event at La Vista Park, Godfrey, IL: Pollinator Party. Register

July 20st-22nd Shaw Cactus & Succulent Society Cactus & Succulent Sale, St. Louis County

June 30th Greater St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour

9 am to 5 pm August 3rd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Iris Sale at at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

August 10th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale

10-11:30 am August 17th Homegrown Hot Sauce Class with Urban Harvest’s Chef Queenie at Rung, Fox Park. Register

Noon to 5 pm August 18th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission fee required.

3-7 pm September 6th Shaw Nature Reserve Fall Wildflower Market

September 13th, 14th, 15th Kirkwood Greentree Festival at Kirkwood Park. Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society sells Daffodil bulbs at this event.

9 am to 5 pm September 28th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

September 22nd Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Expo at Tower Grove Park

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Two photos of Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis).

Plant of the Week: Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Time to get out the hummingbird feeders.

Start Indoors This Week: Peppers, Tomatillo, Tomatoes
Sow Outdoors This Week: Arugala, Beans, Beets, Chard, Collards, Kale, Parsley, Peas, Potatoes, Radish, Spinach, Turnips
Transplant This Week: Perennials + Cabbage, Chard, Collards, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions
Plan your garden with NEW 2024 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

If you are only looking for St. Louis Area (Missouri and Illinois) Plant Sales, here’s a page for them. Add this week: lots of Master Gardener Plant Sales in nearby counties, Seed St. Louis Summer Veggie Seedlings Sale, Tower Grove East Community Garden Sale, more

May 1st to August 31st Enter Missouri Conservation Department’s Busch Conservation Area (St. Charles Mo) Wildlife Photography Contest. Submit photos of native Mo wildlife, trees, plants at Busch Conservation Area or Weldon Spring Conservation Area.

For the Kids. Download Free Bobber, The Water Safety Dog #EarthDay Coloring Sheet & Poster from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Hey, grades 6th thru 12th Teachers. Missouri Environmental Education Association has great resources for an Invasive Species Mock Trial Unit that combines Ecology and Civic Engagement. Also see Trial of Bush Honeysuckle

Brightside St. Louis Blitz Project Registration Open (neighborhood clean up and beautification). Free Blitz Blooms available this year for your public spaces project: gomphrena, dianthus, marigolds, celosia and vinca

Order your Grow Native! Free Resource Guide to Native Plants in Missouri– products, services, institutions

Good Reads —

‘The water wars are coming’: Missouri looks to limit exports from rivers, lakes. (Missouri Independent)

Death Valley is alive this year. A super bloom is the latest sign. “This is climate chaos… A lake forming in Death Valley after the wettest six months on record, followed by this bizarre bloom that is unlike anything we’ve observed before. If you want the picture of climate change, this is it.” Gifted article at Washington Post

Corals are bleaching in every corner of the ocean, threatening its web of life. It’s possible the overall percentage of reefs experiencing heat stress may soon pass a record. Gifted article at Washington Post

Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden pdf (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

Container Gardening Tips
Native Plants: Grow Native!
Veggies: Missouri Botanical Garden
5 Tips For Successfully Growing Plants In Containers: P. Allen Smith

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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 —

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery is at Kirkwood Farmers Market 8 am to 4 pm Saturdays, April 20th & 27th, May 25th, June 1st. Order by Monday before Saturday for pick up or shop from what they bring.

Volunteers Wanted. Check out upcoming Brightside St. Louis Neighborhood Clean Up & Beatification events. Some Blitz events offer Cardinals tickets to volunteers.

6 pm Thursday, April 18th, Table to Garden, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Seed St. Louis Class 4 of 4 core composting series at Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville IL: Pick Your System. $12. Register

7 pm Thursday, April 18th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Where Can I Mushroom Hunt? Register

11 am to 1 pm Thursday-Saturday, April 18-20, Southwestern Illinois College @ Belleville Horticulture Club Plant Sale, Belleville campus Greenhouse, southeast corner of campus behind the baseball fields. . Cash only. The only info I could find is here

10 am Thursday, April 19th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History and Horticulture Walking Tour with Master Guide. Register

1 Ticket remaining. 9 am Friday, April 19th, Missouri Stream Team Volunteer Level 1 Water Quality Monitoring Part 2 Field Certification at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Requires Part 1 virtual learning completion. Register

2 pm Friday, April 19th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Earth Week- Effects of Artificial Light on Wildlife. Register

7 am to 3 pm Saturday, April 20th, Veterans Free Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park, west of Lebanon, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis

9 am to Noon Saturday, April 20th, Green Center Plant Sale, University City

3 Tickets remaining. 9 am Saturday, April 20th, Missouri Stream Team Volunteer Level 1 Water Quality Monitoring Part 2 Field Certification at Babler State Park, Wildwood. Requires Part 1 virtual learning completion. Register

9 am to Noon, Saturday, April 20th, Native Plant & Native Plant Seed Swap in St. Charles MO at 10 Number One Green Dr

2 pm Saturday, April 20th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Earth Week- Helper Plants. Learn about Bioremediation- how plants, fungi, and even animals clean up the environment. Register

8 Tickets remaining. 1 pm April 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Earth Day Hike & Nature Immersion at Emmenegger Nature Park, Kirkwood. Register

10 am April 23rd Bellefontaine Cemetery History and Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

1 pm April 24th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Hummingbird Season. Register

4 pm April 24th Grow Native! Zoom Master Class: Restoring Remnant Woodlands in a Sea of Bush Honeysuckle. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation members and Grow Native! professional members, $15 nonmembers. Register

5 Seats remaining. For Kids Age 7 and under. 10:30 am April 25th Missouri Conservation Department In-Person Event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy: Rain, Rain Go Away. Register

6 pm April 25th Seed St. Louis In-Person Class: Food for Years- Best Perennial Vegetables for an Early Spring Harvest at DIG Annuals and Perennials. Learn about edible greens, shoots, flowers, and stems that are ready to harvest before annual vegetables. Some plants discussed will be available for purchase. Register

9 am to 4 pm April 26th St. Louis Community College’s Meramec Botanical Society Plant Sale. Herbs, natives, annuals, perennials and vegetables. $3 to $12. Cash or check. Parking Lot K @ 11333 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood.

9 am to 5 pm April 26th St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden, parking lot

10 am April 26th Bellefontaine Cemetery Arbor Day Trolley Tour with cemetery’s Horticulture Director. $5. Register

12 Tickets remaining. 2 pm April 26th Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

April 27th-28th U-City in Bloom Plant Sale. 9 am to 1 pm Saturday & 11 am to 1 pm Sunday. Heman Park Community Center, University City

8 am April 27th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at St. Vincent Greenway. Register

8 am to 1 pm April 27th Lincoln County Mo Master Gardeners Plant Sale, University of Missouri Extension, 880 W College, Troy. Annuals, Perennials, Natives, Vegetables, Herbs, Bulbs, Garden Accessories. Cash only.

8:30 am April 27th Webster Groves Herb Society Herb Sale at Congregational Church of Webster Groves

9 am April 27th Olivette In Bloom Native Plant Sale

Noon April 27th Heartland Conservancy Spring Native Plant Sale at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea IL

1-4 pm April 27th New Roots Urban Farm Workshop: Waste Prevention (Intercepting Compost Materials from the Landfill), St. Louis Place. Register

Noon to 2 pm April 28th St. Charles County Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale at University of Missouri Extension St. Charles County. Vegetables, perennials, natives, herbs and annuals.

11 am April 30th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- Wonderful Wildflower ID. Register

May 1st to August 31st Missouri Conservation Department Busch Conservation Area (St. Charles Mo) Wildlife Photography Contest. Submit photos of native Missouri wildlife, trees, or plants at Busch Conservation Area or neighboring Weldom Spring Conservation Area.

10 am May 2nd Bellefontaine Cemetery History and Horticulture Walking Tour with Master Guide. Register

6 pm May 2nd Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: School Garden Maintenance Strategies for Summer & Beyond. Register

Ages 3+. 18 Seats remaining. Children must be accompanied by adult. 6 pm May 2nd Missouri Conservation Department in-Person Class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. This class is required before Lesson 2. Register

9 am to 1 pm May 3rd Montgomery County IL Master Gardener Plant Sale @ Mt. Moriah Lodge 51, Hillsboro IL

May 4th Missouri Conservation Department Spring Bird Walk at Forest Park. 8 am Session 1 (4 Tickets remaining) Register. 10 am Session 2 (6 Tickets remaining) Register.

May 3rd, 4th, 5th Earth Dance Organic Farm Plant Sale, Ferguson

8:30 am to 12:30 pm May 4th Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association Plant Sale, First Congregational Church, Webster Groves

9 am to 2 pm May 4th-5th Tower Grove East Community Garden Plant Sale at 3303 Sidney

9 am to 1 pm May 4th Shaw Nature Reserve Wildflower Market

9 am to 5 pm May 4th West County Daylily Club Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10:30 am May 4th EcoTones Concert at Nee Kee Nee Stream, Tower Grove Park

10 am to 2 pm May 5th Feed the People Garden Project Plant Sale in Bevo Neighborhood.: Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers

2 pm May 7th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Summer Crops & Cover Crops. Register

4 pm May 8th Missouri Prairie Foundation Virtual Walk on the Prairie, Spring Edition @ Pettis County. Register

8 am to Noon May 11th Mississippi Valley Garden Club Plant Sale at Alton-Wood River Sportsmen’s Club, 3109 Godfrey, Godfrey IL

9 am May 11th Seed St. Louis Summer Seedling Sale: Veggies, Herbs, Annuals $3.50 each: Basil, Egglplant, Helenium Amarum, Jalapenos, Parsley, Sweet Pepper, Tomatillo, Tomatoes. Perennials $6 each: Lavender Munstead, Mountain Mint, Rhubarb, Sea Kale, Sorrel, Wild Arugula.

9 am to 5 pm May 11th St. Louis Hosta Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

9 am to 3 pm May 11th Franklin County Mo Master Gardeners Plant Sale at JC Penny Parking Lot, Washington MO

10 am to 2 pm May 11th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Wild Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park. $8-$12 entrance fee.

10 am May 11th Companion Planting 101 Class at Heru Urban Farming, Florissant. Register

9 am to 5 pm May 12th Greater St. Louis Iris Society Show at Missouri Botanical Garden

May 18th Wild Ones Illinois Prairie Chapter Native Plant Sale at Carlock, McLean County IL

7:30 pm May 18th St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

Ages 8+. 8:30 am May 19th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

4 pm May 22nd Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: EDDMapS Training- Learning How to Document Invasive Plants. Register

8:30 am to 1 pm May 25th Macoupin County IL Master Gardener Plant Sale @ Macoupin County Historical Society, Carlinville IL

1-2 pm May 25th New Roots Urban Farm Workshop: Planting Sunflowers 101 with Farmer Twan, St. Louis Place. Register

9 am to Noon June 1st Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium. Native Plant & Design Experts, Workshops, Plant Sale. $10. Register

June 1st Green Living Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am June 8th How to Trellis Tomatoes Class at Heru Farms, Florissant. Register

June 9th Missouri Botanical Garden sponsored Private Garden Tour. Tickets: $50 MoBot Member, $65 Nonmember

9 am to 5 pm June 15th Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

9 am to 5 pm June 22nd Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale, Jefferson County Mo

July 20st-22nd Shaw Cactus & Succulent Society Cactus & Succulent Sale, St. Louis County

9 am to 5 pm August 3rd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Iris Sale at at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10-11:30 am August 17th Homegrown Hot Sauce Class with Urban Harvest’s Chef Queenie at Rung, Fox Park. Register

Noon to 5 pm August 18th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission fee required.

3-7 pm September 6th Shaw Nature Reserve Fall Wildflower Market

9 am to 5 pm September 28th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

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

This Week In Gardening & Nature

Register your Blitz Clean Up Project with Brightside St. Louis and get Free dianthus, marigolds, celosia and vinca for planting in public spaces in St. Louis city.

Gardening by Month – April – Tips & Tasks from Missouri Botanical Garden

This week in the garden: Sow Outdoors- arugula, beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, parsley, peas, radish, spinach, turnips. Transplant Outdoors- broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, chard, lettuce. Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

The Big List of St. Louis Area Plant Sales: African Violets, Carnivorous, Daylilies, Gesneriads, Herbs, Hostas, Iris, Native Plants, Perennials, Roses, Veggies, Wildflowers

Looking to plant a tree? Plant a native Missouri tree.

Top 25 Invasive Plants in Missouri

Seed St. Louis Planting Guides
Asparagus Leeks Onions Potatoes Strawberries

Missed attending one of Seed St. Louis Online gardening classes? Check out the recorded classes on Seed St. Louis YouTube channel

6 pm Monday University of Missouri Extension Online Class: Produce Safety in Community Gardens. Register

10 am Tuesday Trolley Tour @ Bellefontaine Cemetery Two-hour trolley tour led by a Master Guide sharing horticulture and arboretum highlights Tickets $5. Register

2 pm Tuesday Arboretum Walking Tour at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Horticulturist led walk. Register

10 am Wednesday Bellefontaine in Bloom at Bellefontaine Cemetery. 2 Hour walking tour with master guide. Register

4 pm Wednesday Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Class: The Tallgrass Prairie of Missouri Above and Below the Soil Surface. Register

6 pm Thursday Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Successful Communities Collaborative 2023 Speaker Series: Rehearsing Black Food Futures: A Food Justice Perspective on Black Life presented by Professor Bobby Smith II. East St. Louis Campus. Register

7 am to 7:30 pm Saturday Veterans Free Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park, Lebanon MO

Saturday-Sunday Brightside Blitz Clean Ups: Volunteers Wanted in Grand Center Arts District, Gravois Park, and Delmar

8 am to 2 pm Saturday Native Plant Workshop and Plant Sale at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood. Hosted by Partners for Native Landscaping.

9 am to Noon Saturday Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at Bellefontaine Cemetery

3:30 pm Saturday Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Naturalist Note- Wild Warblers. Improve your warbler identification. Register

3-6 pm Sunday City Greens Market Seed Swap & Chili Cook Off @ 4260 Manchester, Forest Park Southwest. Meet the farmers & vendors

Volunteers Wanted for 9 am April 18th Plant It Forward at Tower Grove Park. Helping the Horticulture Team maintain the beautiful flower beds. Register

Noon April 18th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Spring Wildflowers of Southeast Missouri. The swamps and bottomlands of the Bootheel offer a variety of plants found nowhere else in the state. Register

2 pm April 18th Arboretum Walking Tour at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Horticulturist led walk. Register

4 pm April 18th St. Louis Public Library event for K-6 Kids: Make A Rain Gauge @ Machacek Library, Lindenwood

6 pm April 18th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Barn Owl Biology. Register

Volunteers Wanted for 9 am April 20th Plant It Forward at Tower Grove Park. Helping the Horticulture Team maintain the beautiful flower beds. Register

10 am April 20th Thursday Bellefontaine in Bloom at Bellefontaine Cemetery. 2 Hour walking tour with master guide. Register

6 pm April 20th Seed St. Louis Online Class: Gardening for the Environment. Register

8:30 am April 23rd St. Louis Audubon Society’s Youth & Families Beginner Bird Walk @ Tower Grove Park. 16 Tickets remaining. Register

2-5 pm April 23rd St. Louis Hosta Society Vendor Day Sale at Crestwood Community Center

Volunteers Wanted for 9 am April 25th Plant It Forward at Tower Grove Park. Helping the Horticulture Team maintain the beautiful flower beds. Register

4:30 pm April 25th St. Louis Public Library event for K-6 Kids: Hands-on STEM- Earth Day Wildflower Seed Balls and Launcher! @ Julia Davis Library, Penrose

4 pm April 26th Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Class: Spring Into Action for Declining Birds. Register

Volunteers Wanted for 9 am April 27th Plant It Forward at Tower Grove Park. Helping the Horticulture Team maintain the beautiful flower beds. Register

2-6 pm April 27th STLCC Students & Faculty, April 28th General Public: St. Louis Community College Horticulture Plant Sale at Meramec Campus, Kirkwood. Cash/Check Only.

April 28th-29th St. Louis Herb Society Plant Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden

8:30 am to 2:30 pm April 29th Webster Groves Herb Society Plant Sale at Webster Groves First Congregational Church

For Teachers: 10 am April 29th Seed St. Louis In-Person Class at Carriage House: Summer Strategies for the School Garden. Register

8 pm April 29th Stargazing at Tower Grove Park with St. Louis Astronomical Society

April 29th-30th U-City in Bloom Plant Sale

9 am April 30th Seed St. Louis & Trailnet Tour de Plants Community Ride. $15, $20. Register

9 am April 30th Partners for Native Landscaping Native Plant Sale & Native Plant Swap @ Beyond Housing. Preorder from vendors for pick up or shop from what is available that day.

9 am to 1 pm May 6th Wildflower Market @ Shaw Nature Reserve. $5

8 am to 5 pm May 6th Franklin County Master Gardeners Plant Sale at J.C. Penny Parking Lot, Washington MO

May 6th Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association Plant Sale at First Congregational Church

9 am to 5 pm May 6th West County Daylily Club Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

9 am to Noon May 13th Seed St. Louis Summer Plant Sale @ Carriage House, 3815 Bell. Arrive early for best selection. Bring a box lid to carry your plants. $4 seedling 6-packs. Available at this Sale: Basil, Eggplant, Sweet & Hot Peppers, Tomatoes, Mint, Lavender, Rhubarb, Sorrel, more

9 am to 5 pm May 13th Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Show and Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

10 am May 13th World Bird Sanctuary Native Plant Sale. Preorder from vendors for pick up or shop from what is available that day.

8:30 am May 20th Brightside St. Louis Downtown Planting Day. Volunteers wanted. Register

9 am to 5 pm May 20th & 21st St. Louis Hosta Society Show and Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

9 am to 5 pm May27th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show and Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

10 am to 5 pm June 3rd Lafayette Square Garden Tour & Antique Fair

9 am to Noon Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium.

9 am to 5 pm June 10th Carnivorous Plant Society Show and Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

11 am to 4 pm June 11th St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour. Free. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 24th Kimmswick Daylily Sale to benefit Kimmswick Visitor Center, Jefferson County.

9 am to 5 pm August 5th & 6th Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

9 am to 5 om September 9th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

9 am to 5 pm September 16th & 17th Greater St. Louis Daylily Society Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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