This Week in Gardening & Nature

Leek harvest on plywood table
chopped leeks in collander for washing

Plant of the Week: Leeks. Sow leek seeds indoors now or purchase bare roots at Seed St. Louis March 14th Sale. You can sauté and freeze leeks for use in quiche and leek soup or freeze raw for vegetable soup. They are very easy to grow. Our garden is abandoned for a monthat a time when we travel and leeks do just fine.

Plan your garden with  2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. Start Indoors this week: cauliflower, chard, collards, kale, kohlrabi, parsley

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Kirkwood Market dates for Missouri Wildflowers Nursery; Mississippi Valley Garden Club, Illinois, Plant Sale in Godfrey IL

Sign up for Missouri Coalition for Environment Missouri Legislative Alerts

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

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

Good Reads, Views, Listens —

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

Winter Sowing Seeds (University of Missouri Extension)

These 5 Genius DIY Planters Started as Everyday Household Items (Martha Stewart)

What is Rapini? (Mother Earth News)

Taking Plant Cuttings (University of Missouri Extension)

How to create a calming ‘nature nook’ with indoor plants. (Associated Press)

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

Seed St. Louis Videos: Variety Trials, Virtual Classes, Starting Seeds Indoors, Orchard Tips, Gardening Tips & How To, In the Community Garden, Youth Garden Activities & Tips, Teachers in the Garden Tutorials.

Growing Vegetables Advice: Begin with a Plan, Seed Starting, Soil Management, Weed Management, Hardening Off Indoor Seedlings, Season Extension, Supporting Plants, Pest Management, Fertilizing Your Garden, Irrigation, Garden Tool Care, Container Gardens, more (University of Illinois Extension)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

Free Native Garden Designs @ Wild Ones. There’s one specific to St. Louis, one for Chicago, one for Denver, …

Native plant gardening in a pot. Missouri Botanical Garden has container designs for sun and shade.

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

Missouri Native Plant Top 10 Lists (Grow Native) Native Plants for Children, Poorly Drained Clay Soil, Sun, Shade, Half Sun & Half Shade, Under Utility Poles, Rain Gardens, Kitchen Gardens, Bees, Pollinators in Winter, Hummingbirds, Wildlife, Butterflies, More

2023 Plants of Merit – Annuals, Bulbs, Edibles, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Vines (Missouri Botanical Garden)

2023 Plants of Demerit – Bamboo, Big Leaf Hydrangea, Blueberry, Burning Bush, Chameleon Plant, Lavender, Pin Oak, Wintercreeper (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
February 14th Tower Grove East. Register
February 14th Benton Park West. Register
February 15th Shaw. Register
February 21st Old North. Register
February 21st Benton Park. Register
February 28th Bevo. Register
March 1st Forest Park Southeast. Register
March 7th Hyde Park. Register
March 14th Benton Park West. Register
March 15th Shaw. Register
March 21st Old North. Register
April 4th Hyde Park. Register
April 11th Benton Park West. Register
April 18th Old North. Register
April 19th Shaw. Register

2026 Witch Hazel Hunt. Record your Witch Hazel find with Forest Releaf.

Apply now for 2026 Forest ReLeaf Project CommuniTree Free Trees. 3-gallon trees and shrubs for public or nonprofit plantings by neighborhood associations, schools, Scouts, churches, cities, municipalities and other community groups in St. Louis area.

It’s a new year of fun and learning at St. Louis County Parks & Rec Children’s Garden Club

Register for February 25th-April 1st Forest ReLeaf’s 6-week TreeKeepers Introductory Tree Care Course at Scott Joplin House

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

9 am to 4 pm March 1st-31st Sachs Butterfly House event in Chesterfield: Morpho Mania. Be surrounded by thousands of blue morpho butterflies. Fees apply

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 —–

9-11 am Tuesday, February 10th, University of Illinois Extension Tree Care Webinar Series: Changing Climate and Historic Pests. $10 for access to all sessions. Register

1-4 pm Tuesday, February 10th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class:  Winter Tree and Shrub ID. $15 donation suggested. Register

1:30 pm Tuesday, February 10th, University of Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series: Creating Simply Lovely Nature Art. Learn how to create a nature-inspired living heart craft with freshly cut willow. Register

6:30 pm Tuesday, February 10th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Speaker Series in Alton, Illinois: Archaeology and Conservation. Register

24 Seats remaining. 9:30 am Wednesday, February 11th, Tower Grove Park event: Monarchs and Friends

6 pm Wednesday, February 11th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Zoom Class:  Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners. Register

6 pm Wednesday, February 11th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Birdwatching- Introduction and Benefits presented by Sarah Kendrick, Ornithologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Thursday, February 12th, Heartlands Conservancy Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day at Edwardsville, Illinois. Register

6:15 pm Thursday, February 12th, Wild Ones St. Charles Area Chapter Winter Speaker Series at Spencer Road Library, St. Peters: Not Like a Haircut- Pruning to Promote Health, Vigor, and Appearance. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, February 13th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Service Day at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Register

28 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am Friday, February 14th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Great Backyard Bird Count. Register

13 Tickets remaining. 9 am Saturday, February 14th, Missouri Conservation Department event in West Alton, Missouri: Dresser Island Hike. Register

9 am to Noon Saturday, February 14th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class:  Winter Tree and Shrub ID. $15 donation suggested. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Saturday, February 14th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Belleview Farm Work Day in Wildwood. Register

11 am February 14th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register

4 Seats remaining. Couples event. Must be at least 21 years of age. 4 pm February 14th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Art in the Park- Love Birds. BYOB & snacks. Learn about animal courtship + create a diptych pair of love birds. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am February 16th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Presidents Day Service Project in Alton, Illinois: Litter Pick Up at Wadlow Town Center’s Bicycle and Walking Trail. Register

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

9-11 am February 17th University of Illinois Extension Tree Care Webinar Series: Tree Care After Planting and Tree Responses to Cultural Practices. $10 for access to all sessions. Register

6:30 pm February 17th Missouri Conservation Department Webinar: Owls of Missouri. Register

6:30 pm February 17th Missouri Conservation Department Webinar: Sap to Syrup. Register

10:30 am February 19th Missouri Conservation Department Webinar: Owls of Missouri. Register

Volunteers Want. 9 am February 20th Heartlands Conservancy Exploration Garden Stewardship Day at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois. Register

29 Tickets remaining. 9:30 am February 25th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Insect Hotels

9 am February 26th Heartlands Conservancy Bluebird Monitoring Training Session- Zoom or at office in Belleville, Illinois. Register

7 pm February 26th Missouri Conservation Department Upgrading Your Urban Oasis Virtual Series: Planning and Designing Native Plant Spaces. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, February 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.

2 pm February 27th Bowood Farms Design a Flower Garden from Seed Workshop. $35. Register

7 pm February 27th Missouri Conservation Department An Evening with Raptors at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood. Register

9 am to Noon February 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Annual Garage Sale Fundraiser

32 Tickets remaining. 10 am to Noon February 28th Missouri Conservation Department Eagle Watching at the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Register

1 pm February 28th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Nature Art- Soaps & Salves. Learn how to utilize native plants in soothing soaps and salves. Explore traditional uses, craft your own botanical creations, learn how to make your very own natural soap. Register

16 Tickets remaining. For ages 7 an older. 10 am to Noon March 1st Missouri Conservation Department Learn to Fish Class at Forest Park Hatchery: All About Trout. Learn all about trout species, habitat, history, fishing, try your hand at catching a Rainbow Trout. Ages 16-64 needs a fishing permit. Register

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

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

6:30 pm March 2nd Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Turtle Ecology & Conservation with Alex Heeb of the Turtle Conservation Group. Register

1:30 pm March 3rd, University of Illinois Extension Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series: Pruning Young Shade Trees. Register

8 am to 4 pm March 4th University of Illinois 2026 Gateway Green Conference in Collinsville. $85. Register

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

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

23 Seats remaining. 10:30 am March 7th Seed St. Louis class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: How to Grow Native Food Crops. Register

11 am to 2 pm March 7th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club event at Alton, Illinois: Seed Swap. Register

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

1 pm March 7th St. Louis Public Library Women’s History Month event at Walnut Park Library: Rooted in Change: Women, Sustainability & the Future of Farming with Maddie Earnest, Local Harvest Grocery. Register

7 pm March 7th  St. Louis Astronomical Society Star Party at Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum. Register

11 Tickets remaining. For ages 7 an older. 10 am to Noon March 8th Missouri Conservation Department Learn to Fish Class at Forest Park Hatchery: All About Trout. Learn all about trout species, habitat, history, fishing, try your hand at catching a Rainbow Trout. Ages 16-64 needs a fishing permit. Register

1 pm March 10th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Natural Landscape Design. $15 suggested donation. Register

4-6 pm March 11th North County Agricultural Education Center gardening class in St. Louis County: Greenhouse Systems Management Workshop. Register

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

6 pm March 11th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Carpenter Library: Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made with Klondike Bison & Bee. Field to fork bison. Registration opens January 3rd.

6:15 pm March 12th Wild Ones St. Charles Area Chapter Winter Speaker Series at Spencer Road Library, St. Peters: Nature at Night, presented by photographer Dan Zarlenga. Register

9 am March 14th Seed St. Louis March Sale at Carriage House: seed potatoes, onion sets, bare-root leeks, mushroom spawn, bare-root strawberry plants, bare-root asparagus plants, water chestnuts, and Korean taro root. Get in line early for best selection. Bring a box lid for your purchases.

9 am March 14th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Natural Landscape Design. $15 suggested donation. Register

11 am March 14th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens February 14th

21 Seats remaining. 1 pm March 14th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Tomato History. Register

1:30 pm March 14th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Spring Arboretum Trolley Tour. Register

6:30 pm March 16th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Missouri’s Crayfish with Dr. Cheyenne Stratton of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Register

1 pm March 17th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Spring Floriography, the Language of Flowers. $15 suggested donation. Register

9 am March 17th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Spring Bulb Walk with Horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

4-6 pm March 18th North County Agricultural Education Center gardening class in St. Louis County: Herb Gardening and Utilization Workshop. Register

9 am March 21st Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Spring Floriography, the Language of Flowers. $15 suggested donation. Register

1 pm March 21st St. Louis Public Library gardening class at Central Library: Get Up and Grow Herbs, presented by The St. Louis Herb Society. Register (it’s on Herb Society website but not Library calendar yet)

1 pm March 21st St. Louis Public Library event at Walnut Park Library: History of the Weldon Spring Site- Environmental Awareness for the Future. Register

9 am March 25th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Spring Bulb Walk with Horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

6 pm March 25th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: PFAS the Forever Chemical

7 pm March 26th Missouri Conservation Department Upgrading Your Urban Oasis Virtual Series: Living with Wildlife in Your Garden. Register

7:30 am to Noon, March 27th Grow Native! Southwest Illinois Workshop at Lewis & Clark Community College, Edwardsville IL: Purposeful Prairie Plantings. $25 members, $15 Students, $30 nonmembers includes breakfast buffet. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, March 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.

7:45 am to Noon March 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Fox Trot 5K & Kit Crawl 10K Run/Walk fundraiser. Fees to Register.

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

11 am March 28th Seed St. Louis class at Bell Community Garden: Garden-Based Learning Integration at Your School or Youth Program. Register

15 Seats remaining. 1 pm March 28th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Strawberry and Basil Planting. Register

20 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am March 29th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

6:30 pm March 30th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Naturalist Series- Grassland Birds with Dr. Alice Boyle of the University of Western Ontario. Register

6:30 pm March 31st Missouri Conservation Department webinar: Mushroom Hunting. Register

April Seven Pines Garden Club Plant Sale

April UCity in Bloom Plant Sale

8 am to 4 pm April 4th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

6 pm April 6th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Weeding Without Chemicals

8 am to 4 pm April 11th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

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

11 am April 11th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens March 14th

1-4:30 pm April 14th Missouri Coalition for the Environment hosts Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Columbia. Short films about our planet and the people working to protect it. Fees. Film lineup to be released March 15th.

6 pm April 15th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Carpenter Library: Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made with HareandBearco. Floral art. Register

8 am to 4 pm April 18th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 18th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Trail Maintenance at O’Fallon Park. Register

10 am to 2 pm April 18th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park, St. Louis County

1 pm April 18th St. Louis Public Library gardening class at Central Library: Pest Control with Herbs, presented by The St. Louis Herb Society. Register (it’s on Herb Society website but not Library calendar yet)

Volunteers wanted. 9 am April 19th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Trail Maintenance at O’Fallon Park. Register

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

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

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, April 24th-25th, 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.

7 pm April 24th St. Louis Astronomical Society Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

27 Seats remaining. 1 pm April 25th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Strawberry Basil Mocktails & Plant Health Clinic. Register

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

20 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am April 26th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

May Garden Club of Lebanon, Illinois, Plant Sale. 2025 Info
May Garden Club of Edwardsville, Illinois Plant Sale. 2025 Info
May Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Plant Sale

May 2nd-3rd Kress Farm Garden Preserve Spring Plant Sale at Hillsboro

6 pm May 4th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Sustainability, Ecology, & Conservation efforts in St. Louis Parks.

May 8, 2026 to March 31, 2027 Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum: The Literary Garden- The Cultivation of Plants and Gardens in Narratives. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

8 am to Noon May 9th Mississippi Valley Garden Club, Illinois, Plant Sale in Godfrey, Illinois

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

9 am to 5 pm May 9th St. Louis Hosta Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

10 am May 9th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Wildflower Garden Planning

11 am May 9th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens April 11th

6 pm May 12th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Carpenter Library: Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made with Erin Luna. A hands-on workshop on indigo dyeing, includes make & take tea towel. Registration opens March 6th.

2 pm May 14th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Nee Kee Nee (Osage Nation), Tower Grove Park’s East Stream

9 am to 5 pm May 16th Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 1 pm May 16th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at The Nature Institute, Godfrey, Illinois

1 pm May 16th St. Louis Public Library gardening class at Central Library: Cooking with Herbs, presented by The St. Louis Herb Society. Register (it’s on Herb Society website but not Library calendar yet)

10 am to 2 pm May 17th Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Sale at Five Oaks on Warson, Olivette

2 pm May 19th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Buder Library: Pollution Solution, presented by River des Peres Watershed Coalition

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, May 22nd-23rd, 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.

8 am to 4 pm May 23rd Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

9 am to 5 pm May 23rd-24th Rose Society of Greater St. Louis Show at  Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

25 Seats remaining. 1 pm May 23rd St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Tomato Transplant Class. Register

May 30th Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium

8 am to 4 pm May 30th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order five days in advance for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring.

June Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale

9 am June 10th Missouri Botanical Garden Earthways Center class at Commerce Bank Education Center: Climate Change and Plants. Register

6 pm June 10th St. Louis Public Library Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made event at Carpenter Library: Urban Buds flower arranging class. Register

11 am June 13th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens May 16th

9 am to 5 pm June 20th Carnivorous Plant Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 26th-27th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

June 27th-28th St. Louis Water Garden Society’s Pond-O-Rama

26 Seats remaining. 1 pm June 27th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Garden Party Strawberry & Basil Mocktails! Register

11 am July 11th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens June 13th

27 Seats remaining. 1 pm July 11th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Tomato & Basil Health Clinic. Register

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, July 24th-25th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

July 25th-26th Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Plant Sale at Jost Event Center, Overland

9 am to 5 pm August 1st-2nd Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

11 am August 8th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens July 11th

24 Seats remaining. 1 pm August 8th St. Louis Public Library Garden to Table Series at Central Library: Garden Party Caprese Salad. Bring tomatoes & basil from your garden. Register

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

9 am August 15th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House

9 am to 5 pm August 15th Missouri Botanical Garden Daylily Society Plant Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, August 21st-22nd, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

9 am to 5 pm September 12th Gateway West Gesneriad Society Show & Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

September 12th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at The Nature Institute, Godfrey, Illinois

11 am September 12th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens August 15th

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

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, September 25th-26th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

11 am October 10th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens September 12th

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

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, October 23rd-24th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

11 am November 14th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens October 17th

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, November 27th-28th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, December 11th-12th, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

11 am Decemner 12th St. Charles County Library Seed & Plant Swap at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peters. Register. Registration opens October 17th

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Sweet Potato flower, white petals and raspberry center

Plant of the Week: Sweet Potatoes, nutritious, beautiful flowers, easy to grow in a garden bed, pot, or grow bag

Fall Color Reports. Missouri and Illinois

Free Trees for University City residents via Forest Releaf Missouri’s Community Canopy program. Order now for October 19th pick up at The Green Center, 8025 Blackberry. Available Trees: Bald Cypress, Buttonbush, Redbud, River Birch, Swamp White Oak, Vernal Witchhazel, Washington Hawthorn   

November 15th Deadline for Grade Schools to High Schools, Youth Groups, Community Groups with youth programs, to apply for Wild Ones’ Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Program Grants: native plant use in pollinator gardens, rain gardens to improve water quality, tallgrass prairies, Monarch waystations featuring community science activities, and sensory and natural playgrounds.

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

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Good Reads & Views —

How to protect plants from frost (University of Missouri Extension)

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

October Gardening Tips: Outdoor Flowering Plants & Ornamentals, Vegetable Gardening, Fruits & Nuts, Lawns (University of Missouri Extension)

Missouri Prairie Foundation weighs in on Artificial Intelligence

Farming among the trees: How perennial crops can help breathe life into depleted soil (Columbia Missourian)

Midwest states are spending millions to manage invasive carp in rivers and lakes. If left unchecked, conservation experts say the fish could wreak havoc on local ecosystems and fishing industries. (KCUR)

Tribes celebrate end of Klamath dam removal, largest in US history. “the structures halted the natural flow of the waterway that was once known as the third-largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast” (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Have black plastic in your home? It could expose you to toxic chemicals. Study raises concerns recycled plastic containing flame retardants are being reused in manufacturing of consumer products (Gift article at Washington Post)

The Hidden Harm in Feeding Your Local Wildlife. Why feeding wild animals is harmful for them and us. Tidy bird feeders are the exception (US Fish & Wildlife Service)

Seed Saving Class available on YouTube (Seed St. Louis)

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 —

Now thru October 26th, St. Louis Public Library daily event at Schlafly Library: River Life: Landscape Photography exhibit by Rita Chu

Going on Now- On Line Ordering for Missouri Conservation Department annual Tree & Shrub Seedling Sale. Don’t delay. Items are selling out fast, such as Beautyberry, Blackberry, Concordia Oak, Flowering Dogwood, Hazelnut, PawPaw, Spicebush.

October 23rd Deadline to Order Fruit Trees from Stark Brothers for pick up November 2nd at Seed St. Louis Carriage House. $20 each: Apple, Asian Pear, Elderberry, Nectarine, Peach, Pecan, Persimmon

Volunteers wanted. Tower Grove Park Plant It Forward: Help dig cannas, elephant ears, other plants; clearing display beds of debris; aid in planting 10,000+ bulbs for Spring season. 9 am Thursday, October 10th Register; 9 am Tuesday, October 15th Register; 9 am Thursday, October 17th Register

Noon Tuesday, October 8th, University of Illinois Extension Webinar, Thriving Communities series: Current Funding Opportunities for Energy and the Environment Explore grants available for community environmental projects. Presenters will explore funding opportunities for three different needs: stormwater management, clean energy projects for rural areas, and the revitalization of polluted brownfields. Register

10 am Tuesday, October 8th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History and Horticulture Tour with Master Guide: Trolley Tour. $5. Register

6:30 pm Tuesday, October 8th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club event at Old Bakery Beer, Alton IL: Missouri Stream Team program. Register

9 am Wednesday, October 9th, Bellefontaine Cemetery tour with Horticulturist: Fall Tree Walk. Register

1:30 pm Wednesday, October 9th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Tour with Master Guide: Fall Tour. Register

4 pm Wednesday, October 9th, Grow Native Zoom Class: Native Ferns in Missouri and their Potential as Specialty Crops. Register

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, October 10th-12th University of Missouri @ St. Louis Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability Event Series, The Buffalo Treaty

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Thursday, October 10th, Heartlands Conservancy event in Belleville IL: Volunteer Training- Native Seed Collection. Register

For School Gardeners. 4:30 pm Thursday, October 10th, Seed St. Louis Fall School Gardener Meet-Up & Perennial Plant Swap at Pershing Elementary School Garden, University City. Register

6 pm Thursday, October 10th, Seed St. Louis event at DIG Annuals and Perennials, Benton Park West: Food for Years- Best Perennial Vegetables for a Fall & Winter Harvest. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, October 11th, Heartlands Conservancy event in Edwardsville IL: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Volunteer Day. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, October 11th, Missouri Sierra Club Volunteer Day at Don Robinson State Park, Cedar Hill, Jefferson County MO. Register

12 Tickets remaining. 6 pm Friday. October 11th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Powder Valley at Dusk Hike with Naturalist. Register

9 am to 1 pm Saturday, October 12th, Seed St. Louis, Forrest Keeling Nursery, Greenscape Gardens event in Manchester: Tree Sale & Fall Festival– vegan harvest soup, fresh apple cider, music by Hillary Fitz. Order trees. Apple (5 gallon Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious; Chinese Chestnut (3 gallon Grafted Peach, Grafted Qing, Grafted Sleeping Giant); Chokeberry (3 gallon Viking Black); Elderberry (3 gallon Bob Gordon, Pocahontas, Ranch); Hazelnut (3 gallon The Beast, Grand Traverse); Pawpaw (3 gallon Grafted Allegheny, Grafted Mango, Grafted Rappahannock, Grafted Susquehanna); Pecan (3 gallon Grafted Kanza, Grafted Pawnee); Plum (3 gallon American Plum); Persimmon (3 gallon Grafted Meader, Grafted Nikita’s Gift); Serviceberry (3 gallon Grafted Downy)

10 am Saturday, October 12th, Bellefontaine Cemetery History and Horticulture Tour with Master Guide: Trolley Tour. $5. Register

11 am to 1 pm Saturday, October 12th, St. Charles Public Library event at Spencer Road Branch, St. Peter’s: Plant & Seed Swap

2 pm Saturday, October 12th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability, The Buffalo Treaty collaborative event series, two presentations. 1) Keystone Species & Sovereignty = Rejuvenation, Innovation and Wonder, presented by Jonny BearCub Stiffarm, JD (Assinaboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana). 2) The Ecological Buffalo: On the Trail of a Keystone Species, a talk and book-signing with author Wes Olson and photographer Johane Janelle. Garden Admission fee required. Event is free with Garden Admission but Registration required by October 10th.

3 pm Saturday, October 12th, St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Gallery Talk- Rita Chu and River Life: Deconstructing the Images. More on photographer Rita Chu.

6 pm Saturday, October 12th, St. Louis Astronomical Society event at Tower Grove Park: Stargazing

Volunteers wanted. 9 am Sunday, October 13th, STL Neighborhood Foresters Tower Grove East Neighborhood Tree Care Blitz. Register

9 Tickets remaining. Must be at least 6 years of age. Noon Sunday, October 13th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Cane Pole Fishing. Pole provided and you get to take one home. Register

9 am October 15th Missouri Sierra Club Hikes at Dogwood and Mustang Trails, Greensfelder Park, St. Louis County. Register

9 Tickets remaining. 9 am October 15th Missouri Conservation Department event at Emmenegger Nature Park, Kirkwood: Fall Colors Hike. Register

2 pm October 15th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Little Brown Birds- Sparrow ID. Register

6:30 pm October 15th St. Louis County Public Library Virtual Class: Houseplants 101. Register

For 3rd-5th Graders. 4:45 pm October 16th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Nature Explorers After School Club- Fall Leaves. Register

6 pm October 17th St. Louis County Public Library event at Prairie Commons Branch, Hazelwood: Succulent Swap. Register

6:30 pm October 17th Missouri Sierra Club event at Thomas Dunn Learning Center: Energy Justice Team Meeting. Register

8 am October 18th Heartlands Conservancy Volunteer Day in Belleville IL: Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Volunteer Workday. Register

8 am October 19th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Fee Fee Greenway, Maryland Heights. Register

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 16 Seats remaining. October 19th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Nature Art- Carve a Snack-o-Lantern for wildlife. 11 Seats remaining for 9 am- Register.16 Seats remaining for 1 pm- Register.

10 am October 19th St. Louis County Public Library event at Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton: Houseplant Swap. Register

Noon to 4 pm October 19th Benton Park Neighborhood Association’s Benton Park Tunes on Tap – A Musical Garden Tour. Tickets $35-$65

14 Tickets remaining. 8 am October 20th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

Noon October 20th Missouri Prairie Foundation event in Lincoln County MO: Friends of Cuivre River State Park Grasslands Work Day. Register

1-5 pm October 20th Tower Grove Park Fall Frolic

6 pm October 21st St. Louis Public Library event at Machacek Library: Carnivorous Plants presented by Shaw Cactus & Succulent Society. Register

4 pm October 23rd Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Exploring Moss Diversity. Register

6 pm October 25th Urban Harvest Raise the Roof Fundraiser at .ZACK, Kranzburg Arts, Grand. Tickets $50.

Volunteers Wanted. October 26th River de Peres Trash Bash

Volunteers wanted. 10 am October 26th STL Neighborhood Foresters event: Bevo Neighborhood Tree Care Blitz. Register

28 Seats remaining. 5:30 pm October 28th St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Cacti & Succulents- A Beginner’s Guide to Thriving Plants. Register

4 pm November 6th Missouri Invasive Plant Council Webinar: Common General Use Herbicides & How They Relate to Aquatic Use Sites. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am November 8th Heartlands Conservancy Volunteer Day in Edwardsville IL: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Volunteer Day. Register

9 am November 9th Heartlands Conservancy event, location to be announced: Woods Walk – Winter Tree ID. Register

9 am November 14th Heartlands Conservancy Volunteer Day in Swansea IL: Exploration Garden Volunteer Workday. Register

9 am November 15th Heartlands Conservancy Volunteer Day in Belleville IL: Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Volunteer Workday. Register

8:30 am November 17th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

6:30 pm November 21st Missouri Sierra Club event at Thomas Dunn Learning Center: Energy Justice Team Meeting. Register

9 am November 23rd Heartlands Conservancy Volunteer Day near Granite City IL: Arlington Wetlands Volunteer Workday. Register

November 28th, 2024 to January 1st, 2025 Heartlands Conservancy event in Southern Illinois: 2024 Jingle Hike Challenge. Register

9 am to 4 pm April 29th St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden parking lot.

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

Upcoming St. Louis Area Plant Sales

Art: three potted plants in dark green. Text: Plant Sale

9 am to 3 pm April 5th & 6th Missouri Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

8 am – 4 pm April 6 Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Market. Also there Saturdays April 13, 20, 27, May 25, June 1. Order in advance for pick up at Market or select from what they bring

9 am April 6th Seed St. Louis Spring Seedling Sale: Bok Choy‘Chun Mei, Broccoli Burgundy, Broccoli Castle Dome, Cabbage Caraflex, Cabbage Omero, Cauliflower Minuteman, Collards Georgia Southern, Kale Lacinato (Dino Kale), Kohlrabi Azur Star, Lettuce Heat Tolerant Variety Pack, Lettuce Salanova Red Butter, Misome Choho (Tatsoi Hybrid). 4-packs for $3.50 each

April 18-20 Southwestern Illinois College @ Belleville Horticulture Club Plant Sale

9 am to 4 pm April 26th St. Louis Community College @ Meramec Horticulture Students Plant Sale

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

10 am t0 2 pm May 5th Feed the People Garden Project Plant Sale in Bevo Neighborhood.: Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers

9 am May 11th Seed St. Louis Summer Seedling Sale

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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