This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Monarda, Bee Balm, 2021 Perennial of the Year steeped in patriotism. Left Photo- Native Wild Bergamot. Right Photo: Monarda Raspberry Wine.

If you’re going to can food, do it properly, don’t endanger your health and the health of others. Educate yourself, take the Food Preservation Online Course by University of Missouri Extension. This self-paced course provides research based information needed to safely and successfully preserve food at home. $30

St. Louis Gardeners: Growing more veggies than you can eat? Drop off weekly by Noon Monday-Tuesday at The Garden Shop on Hampton. There’s a table for donated produce. Donated veggies go to Growing Food, Growing People

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

Recently saw Malabar Spinach vining on an arbor. Might add to garden next year. More info on growing Malabar Spinach.

July 15th Deadline to nominate a tree steward for Missouri Conservation Department Arbor Award of Excellence

August 11th to December 23rd University of Missouri Extension Online Master Gardener Core Training. $200

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

Plan your garden with Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Check out the Butterfly Gardens at St. Louis Public Library branches

Good Reads/Views —

Gardening By Month: July Gardening Tips, Tasks, & Problems (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Is this front-yard forest too tall? How a project to bring back Toronto’s oaks fell afoul of city bylaws. An urban ecosystem in Little Italy was threatened when the city delivered a citation for having vegetation over 0.85 metres. (Toronto Star)

A US Court Found Chiquita Guilty of Murder in Colombia. What Does the Ruling Mean for Other U.S. Food Corporations Abroad? (Civil Eats)

A European wild cat was nearly extinct. Now, it’s making a comeback. The Iberian lynx is no longer classified as endangered, a group calling it the “greatest recovery of a cat species ever achieved through conservation.” 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

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 —

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

4 pm Wednesday, July 3rd, Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Native Bees of Missouri’s Ozark Woodlands and Glades. Register

5:30 pm Friday, July 5th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Sunset Stroll with Master Guide. Register

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

10 am July 9th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

6:30 pm July 9th Learning About the Great River Sturgeon at Old Bakery Bear, Alton IL. Presented by Travis Moore, Fisheries Management Biologist, Missouri Conservation Department.

2 pm July 11th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Fall Gardening. Register

11 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am to 1:30 pm July 12th Missouri Department of Conservation Camp Hellbender, Summer Camp for Adults at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, St. Louis County: fish on the big river, help with the Bumblebee Survey in the iconic Sunflower field, then cool off indoors in the afternoon with lunch in the classroom and then an Owl Pellet Dissection activity. Register

6 pm July 12th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Crayfish Craze! Session 1. Learn about native vs. invasive crayfish and trap setting. Register

9 am July 13th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Crayfish Craze! Session 2. Learn about trap recovery and some citizen science. Register

5:30 pm July 13th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Sunset Stroll with Master Guide. Register

7:30 pm July 13th St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

5 pm July 17th Seed St. Louis event at Bell Garden: Summer School Gardener Meet-Up and Natural Art Class. Register

6 pm July 18th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Compost Tumblers. $12. Register

6 pm July 18th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Common Caterpillars of Missouri. Register

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

1:30 pm July 23rd University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Companion Planting- Bountiful and Beautiful Together. Register

6 pm July 29th St. Louis County Library & Left Banks Book author event at Clark Family Branch: Nature Writer Amy Stewart, Author of “The Tree Collectors: Tales of Arboreal Obsession.” Register

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

2 pm August 9th St. Louis County Library class at Mid-County Branch: Homesteading- Windowsill Herbs. Register

9 am August 10th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale

11 am and 1 pm August 10th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Sachs Museum Performance Series- “A Corn-Fed Musical Comedy Performance” by Opera Bell Band. Seating first come, first served. Garden Admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents Saturday and Wednesday mornings.

1:30 pm August 13th University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Foodscaping- Creating Snacks Among the Flower Beds. Register

6 pm August 15th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Bokashi . $12. Register

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.

August 24th Soulard’s Art in the Garden Tour fundraiser for Beautification Committee, Soulard Restoration Group

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.

6 pm September 19th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Static Systems. $12. Register

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

9 am 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: St. John’s Wort

June 30th Deadline to enter St. Louis Post-Dispatch Garden Contest

Plan your garden with 2024 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Check out the Butterfly Gardens at St. Louis Public Library branches

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

Food Preservation Online Course by University of Missouri Extension. This self-paced course provides research based information needed to safely and successfully preserve food at home. $30

July 15th Deadline to nominate a tree steward for Missouri Conservation Department Arbor Award of Excellence

August 11th to December 23rd University of Missouri Extension Online Master Gardener Core Training. $200

Good Reads/Views —

This 101-year-old scientist may have created your new favorite tomato. Plant pathologist Mannon Gallegly developed the first blight-resistant tomato in 1963. Waiting list for his new variety is already in the thousands. Gift article (Washington Post)

Lingering effects of recent cicada emergence AND environmental benefits (University of Missouri Extension)

10 species of Heron call Missouri home (Missouri Conservationist)

Taking Plant Cuttings. You can grow new plants from cuttings off existing ones. (University of Missouri Extension)

(YouTube)Tomato Trellising: 4 Methods (Seed St. Louis)

Dealing with Squash Bugs in a No Spray Garden and Advice on Squash Bugs from Missouri Botanical Garden

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. June neighborhood clean up and beautification opportunities via Brightside St. Louis

2 pm Tuesday, June 25th, St. Louis County Library class at Eureka Hills Branch: Cooking with Herbs. Presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register.

9 am Wednesday, June 26th, Tower Grove Park event at Lily Pond Shelter: Water Plants of Tower Grove Park. Presented by Horticulture Supervisor, Steve Hogenmiller, and Community Engagement Manager, Tara Morton. Register

2 pm Wednesday, June 26th, Tower Grove Park event: Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

5:30 pm Thursday, June 27th, Bellefontaine Cemetery event: Sunset Stroll. Register

6 pm Thursday, June 27th, St. Louis County Library class at Grand Glaize Branch: Harvesting and Preserving Herbs. Presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register

3 pm Friday, June 28th, Missouri Conservation Department online class: Bats of Missouri. Register

6:30 pm Friday, June 28th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center: Planting Native, presented by horticulturist Scott Woodbury + tour of the native plant gardens at the nature center. Register

11 am and 1 pm Saturday, June 29th, Missouri Botanical Garden event: Sachs Museum Performance Series- “The Sacred Crop” featuring poet Waleska Font and guitarist Patrick Rafferty. Seating first come, first served. Garden Admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents Saturday and Wednesday mornings.

1 pm Saturday, June 29th, St. Louis City Public Library event at Buder Library: Urban Homesteading- Advanced Chicken Tending

10 am to 3 pm June 30th Piasa Sierra Club Urban Farm Tour in Madison County IL, a self guided tour of 6 urban gardens, farms, and community gardens. Register

11 am to 4 pm June 30th Greater St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour

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

4 pm July 3rd Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Native Bees of Missouri’s Ozark Woodlands and Glades. Register

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

6:30 pm July 9th Learning About the Great River Sturgeon at Old Bakery Berr, Alton IL. Presented by Travis Moore, Fisheries Management Biologist, Missouri Conservation Department.

2 pm July 11th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Fall Gardening. Register

15 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am to 1:30 pm July 12th Missouri Department of Conservation Camp Hellbender, Summer Camp for Adults at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, St. Louis County: fish on the big river, help with the Bumblebee Survey in the iconic Sunflower field, then cool off indoors in the afternoon with lunch in the classroom and then an Owl Pellet Dissection activity. Register

6 pm July 12th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Crayfish Craze! Session 1. Learn about native vs. invasive crayfish and trap setting. Register

9 am July 13th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Crayfish Craze! Session 2. Learn about trap recovery and some citizen science. Register

7:30 pm July 13th St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

5 pm July 17th Seed St. Louis event at Bell Garden: Summer School Gardener Meet-Up and Natural Art Class. Register

6 pm July 18th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Compost Tumblers. $12. Register

6 pm July 18th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Common Caterpillars of Missouri. Register

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

1:30 pm July 23rd University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Companion Planting- Bountiful and Beautiful Together. Register

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

2 pm August 9th St. Louis County Library class at Mid-County Branch: Homesteading- Windowsill Herbs. Register

9 am August 10th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale

1:30 pm August 13th University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Foodscaping- Creating Snacks Among the Flower Beds. Register

6 pm August 15th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Bokashi . $12. Register

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.

August 24th Soulard’s Art in the Garden Tour fundraiser for Beautification Committee, Soulard Restoration Group

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.

6 pm September 19th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Static Systems. $12. Register

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: Coral Honeysuckle

Sow Outdoors This Week: Basil, Beans, Cucumber, Edamame, Melons, Okra, Squash, Tomatillo
Transplant This Week: 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

Check out the Butterfly Gardens at St. Louis Public Library branches

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

June 20th Deadline for your community organization to apply for Brightside St. Louis Neighbors Naturescaping Program to beautify a public or not-for-profit space, restore Missouri native plant communities, attract beneficial wildlife (butterflies, bees, birds), reduce stormwater runoff and protect drinking water

Good Reads/Listens —

Gardening by Month: June. Gardening Tips, Tasks, & Problems from Missouri Botanical Garden

Summer Rose Care Tips from P. Allen Smith

Let Your Garden Grow Wild (TED Talk by Rebecca McMackin)

Do Nothing For Three Minutes. Turn up the volume and be surrounded by spring wildflowers at the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri (CBS News)

This south St. Louis farm helps foreign-born people connect to their homelands. The farmers are Congolese, Tanzanian, Moroccan, Nepali, Burmese and Afghan. (St. Louis Public Radio)

Mexico City’s water ‘Day Zero’ may come even for the wealthiest residents. The metropolitan area of 22 million gets about a quarter of its water from a system that is running dry. Some say it could be unable to provide water by June 26. Gifted article (Washington Post)

Maryland diner turns leftover bacon grease into soap to save money. He makes his great-grandmother’s Great Depression soap recipe using bacon grease from his diner. Gifted 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

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

4 pm Tuesday, June 4th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Introduction to Butterflies of Missouri. Register

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

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

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

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

For Ages 6-12 with caretakers. 10:30 am Thursday, June 6th, St. Louis City Public Library event at Carondelet Branch: Fledge Wings with World Bird Sanctuary

6 pm Thursday, June 6th, St. Louis City Public Library event at Buder Library: Urban Homesteading- Canning and Preservation 101

2 pm Friday, June 7th, St. Louis City Public Library event at Buder Library: Urban Homesteading- Bring the Natives Home – Gardening with Native Species

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, June 7th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Volunteer Day at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin: trail maintenance, invasive species removal, social trail closing. Register

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

1 pm Saturday, June 8th, Grow Native! Gardens of Excellence Open House: South Grand Business District

14 Seats remaining. 2 pm Saturday, June 8th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office, Southwest Garden: Art in the Park- Fireflies. Register

1:30 pm Sunday, June 9th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Hike at The Gardens at SIUE, Edwardsville, IL. Register

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

6:30 pm June 11th Piasa Palisades 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

For Ages 4-12. 2 pm June 12th St. Louis County Library event at Samuel C. Sachs Branch: Garden Adventure- decorate a pot and plant a flower or vegetable to take home. Register

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

6 pm June 13th St. Louis City Publiuc Library event at Buder Library: Urban Homesteading– Composting 101

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 and 11:30 am June 15th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Sentimental Symbols of the Garden Tour. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

7:30 pm June 15th St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

Noon June 17th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Folklore of Birds. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 19th Missouri Botanical Garden Juneteenth at the Garden: Ethiopian Book Binding presentation, Pot-A-Plant, “In the Garden with Dr. Carver,” more. 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

For Kids 0-7 years. 10:30 am June 20th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- Twinkle Firefly. Register

For Kids 7-14 years. 2 pm June 20th St. Louis County Library event at Oak Bend Branch: Summer Science- Explore the science of plants with guided, hands-on activities and experiments. Register

10 am June 20th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Virtual 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

7 pm June 20th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Folklore of Birds Part 2. 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

1 pm June 22nd St. Louis City Publiuc Library event at Buder Library: Urban Homesteading– Chicken Tending 101

12 Seats remaining. 8 pm June 22nd Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Area, Kirkwood: Owl Prowl. Register

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

6:30 June 28th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center: Planting Native, presented by horticulturist Scott Woodbury + tour of the native plant gardens at the nature center. 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

1 pm June 29th St. Louis City Publiuc Library event at Buder Library: Urban Homesteading- Advanced Chicken Tending

7:30 pm July 13th St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

6 pm July 18th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Compost Tumblers. $12. Register

7 Tickets remaining. 10 am to 2 pm July 20th Missouri Department of Conservation Camp Hellbender, Summer Camp for Adults at Tower Grove Park: learn tree ID and put new skills to the test on a tree ID geocaching adventure. After lunch, learn about native plants and insects and do a flower pounding craft. Register

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

6 pm August 15th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Bokashi . $12. Register

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.

6 pm September 19th Willoughby Farm, Table to Garden, Seed St. Louis In Person Composting Series, Collinsville IL: Static Systems . $12. Register

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

Invasive Plant of the Month: Wintercreeper

This week: Start Basil and Pepper seeds indoors + Transplant Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chard, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Onions to garden. Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

Gardening By Month- March Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems from Missouri Botanical Garden

Registration Begins March 15th for 2023 Callery (Bradford) Pear Buyback Program. Missouri Invasive Plant Council in partnership with Forest ReLeaf, Forrest Keeling Nursery, and Missouri Conservation Dept will host “buyback” around the state on April 18. Homeowners are invited to cut down one or more Callery pear trees and receive one free, non-invasive tree at this event.

Interested in Residential Compost Services in St. Louis? Check out compost pick up from New Earth Farm. Weekly pick up is $26 a month, Bi-Weekly is $18 a month.

Nature, Gardening, Horticulture, Ecology: 2023 St. Louis Community College Continuing Education Classes, some online, some in person. Fees apply

Missouri Botanical Garden Spring and Summer Classes. Fees apply

New Direction’s in the American Landscsapes’ March – April Virtual Education Series. Classes are $42 each and are 2-5 sessions each.

Wild Ones Free St. Louis Native Garden Design

Wild Ones Sample Native Plants Ordinance

Blog post on Mushrooms: buying spores from Seed St. Louis, growing info, mushroom hunting in MO and IL, online class, psychedelics legislation, more

10 am Wednesday Bellefontaine in Bloom at Bellefontaine Cemetery. 2 Hour Walking Tour with Master Guide. Register

Noon Wednesday Missouri Conservation Dept Zoom Class: Mushrooms- Meet the Morels. Register

Noon Wednesday thru March 29th White Oak, Whiskey & Wine Webinars sponsored by University of Missouri Extension, Missouri Conservation Dept, USDA, Forest & Woodland Association of Missouri. Register

4 pm Wednesday Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Class: Deciphering Botanical Latin. Register

3:30 pm Friday Missouri Conservation Dept Zoom Class: Native Plants- Creating a Butterfly Garden. Register

8 am Saturday St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk @ Forest Park. Free. Register

Saturday University of Illinois Extension Virtual Weekend Gardener Program. 9 am. Everlasting Flowers (dried flowers. 10 am Making the Most of Your Soil Amendments. Register

10 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Area: Family Invasive Species Day. Ages 12 and older. 17 Seats remaining. Register

10 am to 1 pm Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept event at Tower Grove Park- Art in the Park: Brushes, Bees & Brews. Register

11 am March 7th & 21st Urban Land Institute Prioritizing Parks and Open Spaces Online Classes- exploring the value that parks create and build the case for prioritizing park development, funding, and operations. ULI Members $100, Nonmembers $150. Register

7 pm March 7th St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Birds, Bees, Flowers & Trees. Register

2 pm March 8th St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Homegrown National Park is Growing Here! Register

7:30 am to Noon March 10th Grow Native’s Native By Design: Community Conservation Conference at Lewis & Clark Community College, Edwardsville IL. $25 for Grow Native! or Missouri Prairie Foundation members, $30 for non-members, $15 with student ID. Register

3:30 pm March 10th Missouri Conservation Dept Zoom Class: Planting an Edible Native Garden. Register

9 am to Noon March 11th Seed St. Louis Spring Sale @ Carriage House, 3815 Bell. Arrive early for best selection. Bring a box lid to carry your plants. Available at this Sale: Potatos, Onion bulbs, Asparagus crowns, bare root Strawberries, Leek starts, Mushroom spawn, all with instructions

10 am March 11th Missouri Conservation Dept event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: Native Plants- Tasty Tree-ts. Learn how to make Shagbark Hickory bark syrup. 8 Tickets remaining. Register

Noon March 14th Missouri Conservation Dept Zoom Class: Native Plants- Caring for Pollinators. Register

7 pm March 14th St. Louis County Public Library Zoom Class: Container Gardening with Native Plants. Register

2 pm March 15th St. Louis County Public Library Zoom Class: Transforming a Yard from Invasives to Natives. Register

4 pm March 15th Grow Native! Webinar: Gardens of Excellence Panel. Includes Cody Hayo on the gardens of South Grand Business District. Register

6 pm March 16th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Growing & Processing Staple Foods. Register

6 pm March 23rd Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Spring Crops & Planning your Growing Space. Register

9 am March 25th Forest ReLeaf event. Volunteers wanted. Tree Planting at Ruth Porter Mall Spring Tree Planting, St. Vincent Greenway. Register

Volunteers Wanted for 10 am March 27th Delmar (Vandeventer to Boyle) Litter Pick Up on Tree Planting Day. Join SLACO, Forest ReLeaf, Vandeventer Community Development Corp, Brightside St. Louis, and AmeriCorps to clean up Delmar as City Forestry plants 102 trees. Register

4 pm March 29th Grow Native! Zoom Master Class: Prairie Garden Primer for Town and Country. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation members and Grow Native professional members. $15 nonmembers. Register

9 am to Noon April 1st Seed St. Louis Spring 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: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Bok Choy, Collards, Dinosaur Kale, Lettuce

Native Plant Sales Return: 8 am to 4 pm April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and May 20, 27 Missouri Wildflower Nursery @ Kirkwood Farmer’s Market. Order in advance– by Tuesday prior to market day- or buy what they bring to Market

8 am to 2 pm April 15th Native Plant Workshop and Plant Sale at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood. Hosted by Partners for Native Landscaping.

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

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 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

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

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.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

A Life Bird for a President. The true story of how former President Jimmy Carter saw his first Painted Bunting. – August 2012 issue of BirdWatching. Painted Buntings are seen in Southwest Missouri with occasional sightings in St. Charles County Mo and St. Clair County IL as well as Boone County in Central Missouri.

Missouri Botanical Garden Spring and Summer Classes

Nature, Gardening, Horticulture, Ecology: 2023 St. Louis Community College Continuing Education Classes, some online, some in person. Fees apply

New Direction’s in the American Landscsapes’ March – April Virtual Education Series. Classes are $42 each and are 2-5 sessions each.

Wild Ones Free St. Louis Native Garden Design

Wild Ones Sample Native Plants Ordinance

Thru next Sunday Orchid Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Tickets

Start eggplant and lettuce seeds indoors this week. Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

Blog post on Mushrooms: buying spores from Seed St. Louis, growing info, mushroom hunting in MO and IL, online class, psychedelics legislation, more

10 am Thursday Missouri Conservation Dept. Virtual Class: Becoming a Bluebird Landlord. Register

6 pm Thursday Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Who is Pollinating Your Food? Register

9-11 am Saturday Missouri Botanical Garden Black History Month event: Black Farmer Panel Discussion @ Visitor Center. Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents with proof of residency and MoBot members.

Volunteers Wanted for 9 am Saturday Forest ReLeaf Tree Pruning at Penrose Park. Register

10 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Class: DIY Native Landscape Design. 12 Seats remaining. Register

10 am March 1st Bellefontaine in Bloom at Bellefontaine Cemetery. 2 Hour Walking Tour with Master Guide. Register

Noon March 1st Missouri Conservation Dept Zoom Class: Mushrooms- Meet the Morels. Register

4 pm March 1st Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Class: Deciphering Botanical Latin. Register

3:30 pm March 3rd Missouri Conservation Dept Zoom Class: Native Plants- Creating a Butterfly Garden. Register

8 am March 4th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk @ Forest Park. Free. Register

10 am March 4th Missouri Conservation Dept event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Area: Family Invasive Species Day. Ages 12 and older. Register

7 pm March 7th St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Birds, Bees, Flowers & Trees. Register

2 pm March 8th St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Homegrown National Park is Growing Here! Register

7:30 am to Noon March 10th Grow Native’s Native By Design: Community Conservation Conference at Lewis & Clark Community College, Edwardsville IL. Register

3:30 pm March 10th Missouri Conservation Dept Zoom Class: Planting an Edible Native Garden. Register

9 am to Noon March 11th Seed St. Louis Spring Sale @ Carriage House, 3815 Bell. Arrive early for best selection. Bring a box lid to carry your plants. Available at this Sale: Sweet Potato slips, Onion bulbs, Asparagus crowns, bare root Strawberries, Leek starts, Mushroom spawn, all with instructions

Noon March 14th Missouri Conservation Dept Zoom Class: Native Plants- Caring for Pollinators. Register

7 pm March 14th St. Louis County Public Library Zoom Class: Container Gardening with Native Plants. Register

2 pm March 15th St. Louis County Public Library Zoom Class: Transforming a Yard from Invasives to Natives. Register

6 pm March 16th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Growing & Processing Staple Foods. Register

9 am March 25th Forest ReLeaf event. Volunteers wanted. Tree Planting at Ruth Porter Mall Spring Tree Planting, St. Vincent Greenway. Register

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

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.

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

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.