This Week in Gardening & Nature

Brightside St. Louis Daffodfils growing in garden

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

Plan your garden with 2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more.

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

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 —

September Gardening News (National Gardening Association)

These bulbs have evolved to avoid being eaten. You can take advantage of that (Associated Press)

How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms in Coffee Grounds (Mother Earth News)

Clove at first bite. Small clove, big impact: garlic’s culinary and health benefits. (University of Missouri Extension)

September Gardening Tips for Outdoor Flowering Plants & Ornamentals, Vegetable Gardening, Fruits & Nuts, Lawns, Indoor Plants  (University of Missouri Extension)

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

Missouri River Bird Observatory Past Webinars and Virtual Nature School for Kids

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
September 26th Bevo. Register
September 26th St. Louis Place. Register
September 26th Tower Grove South. Register
October 10th Benton Park West. Register
October 10th Tower Grove East. Register
October 17th Old North. Register
October 17th Benton Park. Register
October 18th Shaw. Register
October 24th Bevo. Register
October 24th St. Louis Place. Register

Volunteers Wanted. Volunteer for Tower Grove Park’s Plant It Forward Maintenance Program and take home a few thank you plants. Register

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

6:45 am Walk Before You Work Club at Tower Grove Park with naturalist: September 23rd
October 14th
October 28th
November 5th
November 18th

Now thru Saturday, September 26th, Art Exhibit at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Landscape and Nature Photography by Elizabeth White

Now thru Satruday, September 26th, Missouri Botanical Gardens sculpture exhibit- Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

October 1st Registration Opens for Heartlands Conservancy 2026 Jingle Hike Challenge. $25

November 15th Deadline to Enter Missouri State Parks & Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Adventure & Recreation, On The Trail, Parks Less Traveled, Making Memories, Capture the Beauty 

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

November 1st Registration Closes for Heartlands Conservancy 2026 Jingle Hike Challenge. $25

Thru December 31st Missouri Botanical Gardens photography exhibit- Gardenscapes: Patterns in Bloom. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Now thru January 4, 2027, Exhibit at Kemper Art Museum: Carolina Caycedo- Growing Deep Roots

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

—– GENERAL CALENDAR —–

9 Seats remaining. 9 am Monday, September 21st, Missouri Conservation Department Class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Gardening Like a Nature Center. Register

12 Tickets remaining. 9 am Tuesday, September 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Autumnal Equinox Walk at Carondelet Park with naturalist. Register

1 pm Tuesday, September 22nd, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Floriography, the Language of Flowers. $15 suggested donation. Register. This class is also offered 9 am Saturday, September 26th.

17 Tickets remaining. 6:45 am Wednesday, September 23rd, Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

12 Tickets remaining. For Ages 5+. 5 pm Wednesday, September 23rd, Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Community Fishing- St. Louis Species School. Register

3:30-6:30 pm Thursday, September 24th, Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County

6 Tickets remaining. For Ages 7+. 6 pm Thursday, September 24th, Missouri Conservation Department Class at Forest Park Fish Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

6 pm Thursday, September 24th, Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum: Vampire Scent Culture with perfumer Rubia Homa. Guests are encouraged to dress in vampire/goth attire. Garden Admission Fee applies

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.

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

43 Tickets remaining. For Ages 18+. 5:30-7:30 pm Friday, September 25th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Fish Hatchery: Friday Night Fishing. All equipment provided. Register

Volunteers Wanted. Sasturday, September 26th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Great Mississippi River Clean Up at Alton, Illinois. Register

8 am to 4 pm Saturday, September 26th, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery Native Plant Sale at Five Oaks on Warson, Olivette. Order by prior Monday for pick up or purchase from what they bring.

9 am Saturday, September 26th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Floriography, the Language of Flowers. $15 suggested donation. Register.

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

10 am Saturday, September 26th, Kemper Art Museum event: Botanical Printing. Register

7 Tickets remaining. For Ages 9+. 1:30 pm Saturday, September 26th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Introduction to Archery. Register

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

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

7 pm Saturday, September 26th, Stargazing with St. Louis Astronomical Society at Tower Grove Park, weather permitting

18 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am Sunday, September 27th, St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

6 pm September 28th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- Less Lawn, More Life with Living Landscapes. Register

6 pm September 29th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Make Your Own Bird Suet. Register

5:30 pm October 1st Panel Discussion on Plant–Human–Land Relations at
Kemper Art Museum at Washington University. Register

For Ages 7+. 20 Tickets remaining. 6 pm October 1st Missouri Conservation Department Class at Forest Park Fish Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

10 am to 3 pm October 3rd Willoughby Farm Fall Farm Day in Collinsville IL. Lots of kid activities and baby highland cows to pet. $5

10 am to 4 pm October 3rd Old North St. Louis Restoration Group’s House, Garden, Business Tour and Arts Festival at Crown Square. Tickets $17.85-$33.85

10 Seats remaining. 1 pm October 3rd St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: From Garden to Table- Garlic Planting. Register

1:30 pm October 3rd Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Birding from a Distance. Register

2 pm October 5th St. Louis County Public Library class at Thornhill Branch:
Garden on your Windowsill
, presented by Missouri Botanical Garden. Register

23 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am October 7th Missouri Conservation Department class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Wild Edibles- Roots & Tubers. Register

9 Tickets remaining. 5:30 pm October 7th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Fall Birding. Binoculars provided. Register

Noon October 8th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- Less Lawn, More Life with Living Landscapes. Register

9 am to 5 pm Friday-Sunday, October 9th-11th, Missouri Botanical Garden Best of Missouri Market. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, native plant sales, will be on East Lot. Vendor List. Garden Admission Fee applies.

7 pm October 9th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Conservation Lessons from a Life in Photography with Noppadol Paothong. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am October 10th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Wadlow Creek Bird and Plant Survey in Alton, Illinois. Register

14 Tickets remaining. 10 am October 10th Missouri Conservation Department Hike: Calvary Cemetery Prairie Exploration with conservation educator Mary Fuller Register

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

6:45 am October 14th Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

6 pm October 15th University of Illinois Extension Class at Vintage Wine Bar in Waterloo, Illinois: From Hive to Honey- Taste, Learn, Enjoy. Register

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

10:30 am October 17th Forest ReLeaf event at historic Scott Joplin House: Persimmon Festival. Register for free trees

11 am and 1 pm October 17th Missouri Botanical Garden lecture-recital at Sachs Museum: Frets and Flora, Botanical Themes in Guitar Literature with classical guitarist Patrick Rafferty. 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.

1 pm October 17th St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: Harvesting and Preserving Herbs, presented by St. Louis Herb Society

10 am to 2 pm October 18th Bring Conservation Home Expo & Native Plant Sale at Tower Grove Park. Native plants for sale, local artists, bird & bat houses, activities for all ages, exhibits.

1:30 pm October 20th University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Speak for the Trees- Community Advocacy for Urban Forests. Register

6 pm October 21st Wild Ones Webinar: Bats in the Backyard. Register

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

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

6:45 am October 28th Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

6 pm November 4th St. Louis City Public Library class at Schlafly Library: Tea Talk with Amber Fouche- A Lesson in Tea Blending, Tea Benefits, and History

6:45 am November 5th Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

5:15 pm Networking Reception and 6 pm lecture November 5th Missouri Botanical Garden: Lecture on Global Plant Conservation with Dr. Lucy Sutherland, Director, National Botanic Garden of Wales. Free

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

1 pm November 14th St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: History and Use of Herbs, presented by St. Louis Herb Society

2 pm November 15th Public Tour- Plants as Medicine at Kemper Art Museum at Washington University. Register

6:45 am November 18th Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

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

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

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

1 pm December 12th St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: We Love Lavender! presented by St. Louis Herb Society

11 am to 4 pm January 30th, 2027, 16th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Prepackage your seeds and identify the seeds on package. Seed Swap 11 am to 12:30 pm for those who bring seeds to swap and who will receive an arm band to the Seed Room. After 12:30 pm people without an arm band may enter and select seeds from Seed Room. If you do not contribute seeds, bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear. These items will be given to a local charity.

19 Seats remaining. 1 pm April 17th St. Louis City Public Library Class at Central Library: From Garden to Table- Garlic Spring Clinic. Register

18 Seats remaining. 1 pm May 22nd St. Louis City Public Library Class at Central Library: From Garden to Table- Garlic Scape Pesto. Register

17 Seats remaining. 1 pm July 17th St. Louis City Public Library Class at Central Library: From Garden to Table- Harvesting Garlic for Garlic Aioli. Register

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: native Blue Sage (Salvia azurea). Plant now for great color and pollinators next Fall. These can grow up to 6-7 feet tall in full sun. I cut them back early summer to make them more manageable. But tall they look great paired with native perennial Sunflowers and Goldenrod.

Plan your garden with 2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more.

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

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 —

September Gardening Tips for Outdoor Flowering Plants & Ornamentals, Vegetable Gardening, Fruits & Nuts, Lawns, Indoor Plants  (University of Missouri Extension)

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

Garlic Planting Video (University of Missouri Extension)

Illinois study reveals another reason to save the world’s trees (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

Rare plant is documented on Newton County native prairie remnant, SW Missouri. Pinnate Dogshade (KSMU Ozark Public Radio)

The feds no longer protect endangered species habitat. States say they can’t pick up the slack. Few wildlife agencies have the authority to regulate habitat under state laws. (Stateline)

Who says a vegetable garden needs full sun? Some plants do well in shadier spots (Associated Press)

Missouri River Bird Observatory Past Webinars and Virtual Nature School for Kids

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
September 19th Old North. Register
September 19th St. Louis Place. Register
October 4th Forest Park Southeast. Register
October 17th Old North. Register
October 18th Shaw. Register

Friday, September 18th Deadline to complete Missouri Invasive Plant Council Survey

Volunteers Wanted. Volunteer for Tower Grove Park’s Plant It Forward Maintenance Program and take home a few thank you plants. Register

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

6:45 am Walk Before You Work Club at Tower Grove Park with naturalist: September 23rd
October 14th
October 28th
November 5th
November 18th

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

Now thru September 26th Art Exhibit at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Landscape and Nature Photography by Elizabeth White

Now thru September 26th Missouri Botanical Gardens sculpture exhibit- Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

October 1st Registration Opens for Heartlands Conservancy 2026 Jingle Hike Challenge. $25

November 15th Deadline to Enter Missouri State Parks & Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Adventure & Recreation, On The Trail, Parks Less Traveled, Making Memories, Capture the Beauty 

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

November 1st Registration Closes for Heartlands Conservancy 2026 Jingle Hike Challenge. $25

Thru December 31st Missouri Botanical Gardens photography exhibit- Gardenscapes: Patterns in Bloom. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Now thru January 4, 2027, Exhibit at Kemper Art Museum: Carolina Caycedo- Growing Deep Roots

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

—– GENERAL CALENDAR —–

9 am Monday, September 14th, Heartlands Conservancy Clean Water, Bright Future Tour at Highland Silver Lake Watershed, Madison County IL. Register

8 Seats remaining. For ages 55+. 9 am Tuesday, September 15th, Missouri Conservation Department Senior Picnic at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, St. Louis County. Register

1:30 pm Tuesday, September 15th, University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Bringing the Outside In- Overwintering Tender Perennial Plants. Register

7 pm Tuesday, September 15th, Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers and Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Backyard Winter Bird Photography with Richard Day. Register

6 pm Wednesday, September 16th, Wild Ones Webinar: From Lawn to Meadow. Gain practical insights into site preparation, planting, weed management, plant competition, and long-term maintenance.  Register

Noon Thursday, September 17th, Deep Roots Kansas City Zoom Class: Growing Plants Sustainably. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, September 18th, Heartlands Conservancy Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Stewardship Day, Edwardsville IL. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, September 18th, Trail Maintenance at O’Fallon Park. Register

5-10 pm Friday, 9 am to 7 pm Saturday, 10 am to 5, pm Sunday, September 18th-20th, Greater St Louis Daffodil Society Fall Bulb Sale at Greentree Festival, Kirkwood

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

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

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

10 am to 2 pm Saturday, September 19th, Forest ReLeaf event at historic Scott Joplin House: Go Deeper: A Community Land and Healing Retreat. Register

10 am to 3 pm Saturday, September 19th, Missouri Pollinator Network Pollinator Palooza at Weldon Spring Site, St. Charles. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will be selling native plants.

11:30 to 4:30 pm Saturday, September 19th, Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum: A Creative Field Study and Natural Gesture Community Day with North St. Louis residents sharing their work with plant material, foods, herbs, and built environment of their neighborhoods and its relationship to the Mississippi River. 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.

1 pm Saturday, September 19th, St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: Lore & Legend of Herbs, presented by St. Louis Herb Society

Noon to 10 pm Saturday, September 19th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club 20th Annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival in Alton, Illinois

11 Seat remaining. 9 am September 21st Missouri Conservation Department Class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Gardening Like a Nature Center. Register

13 Tickets remaining. 9 am September 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Autumnal Equinox Walk at Carondelet Park with naturalist. Register

23 Tickets remaining. 6:45 am September 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

For Ages 5+. 12 Tickets remaining. 5 pm September 23rd Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Community Fishing- St. Louis Species School. Register

3:30-6:30 pm September 24th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County

For Ages 7+. 13 Tickets remaining. 6 pm September 24th Missouri Conservation Department Class at Forest Park Fish Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

6 pm September 24th Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum: Vampire Scent Culture with perfumer Rubia Homa. Guests are encouraged to dress in vampire/goth attire. Garden Admission Fee applies

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.

44 Tickets remaining. For Ages 18+. 5:30-7:30 pm September 25th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Fish Hatchery: Friday Night Fishing. All equipment provided. Register

Volunteers Wanted. September 26th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Great Mississippi River Clean Up at Alton, Illinois. Register

8 am to 4 pm September 26th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery Native Plant Sale at Five Oaks on Warson, Olivette. Order by prior Monday for pick up or purchase from what they bring.

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

10 am September 26th Kemper Art Museum event: Botanical Printing. Register

3 Tickets remaining. For Ages 18+. 11 am September 26th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Introduction to Archery for Adults. Register

8 Tickets remaining. For Ages 9+. 1:30 pm September 26th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Introduction to Archery. Register

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

18 Tickets remaining. For Ages 18+. 3:30 pm September 26th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Introduction to Archery for Adults. Register

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

7 pm September 26th Stargazing with St. Louis Astronomical Society at Tower Grove Park, weather permitting

18 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am September 27th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

6 pm September 28th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- Less Lawn, More Life with Living Landscapes. Register

6 pm September 29th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Make Your Own Bird Suet. Register

5:30 pm October 1st Panel Discussion on Plant–Human–Land Relations at
Kemper Art Museum at Washington University. Register

For Ages 7+. 20 Tickets remaining. 6 pm October 1st Missouri Conservation Department Class at Forest Park Fish Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

10 am to 3 pm October 3rd Willoughby Farm Fall Farm Day in Collinsville IL. Lots of kid activities and baby highland cows to pet. $5

10 am to 4 pm October 3rd Old North St. Louis Restoration Group’s House, Garden, Business Tour and Arts Festival at Crown Square. Tickets $17.85-$33.85

10 Seats remaining. 1 pm October 3rd St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: From Garden to Table- Garlic Planting. Register

1:30 pm October 3rd Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Birding from a Distance. Register

2 pm October 5th St. Louis County Public Library class at Thornhill Branch:
Garden on your Windowsill
, presented by Missouri Botanical Garden. Register

23 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am October 7th Missouri Conservation Department class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Wild Edibles- Roots & Tubers. Register

9 Tickets remaining. 5:30 pm October 7th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Fall Birding. Binoculars provided. Register

Noon October 8th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- Less Lawn, More Life with Living Landscapes. Register

9 am to 5 pm Friday-Sunday, October 9th-11th, Missouri Botanical Garden Best of Missouri Market. Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, native plant sales, will be on East Lot. Vendor List. Garden Admission Fee applies.

7 pm October 9th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Conservation Lessons from a Life in Photography with Noppadol Paothong. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am October 10th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Wadlow Creek Bird and Plant Survey in Alton, Illinois. Register

14 Tickets remaining. 10 am October 10th Missouri Conservation Department Hike: Calvary Cemetery Prairie Exploration with conservation educator Mary Fuller Register

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

6:45 am October 14th Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

6 pm October 15th University of Illinois Extension Class at Vintage Wine Bar in Waterloo, Illinois: From Hive to Honey- Taste, Learn, Enjoy. Register

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

10:30 am October 17th Forest ReLeaf event at historic Scott Joplin House: Persimmon Festival. Register for free trees

11 am and 1 pm October 17th Missouri Botanical Garden lecture-recital at Sachs Museum: Frets and Flora, Botanical Themes in Guitar Literature with classical guitarist Patrick Rafferty. 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.

1 pm October 17th St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: Harvesting and Preserving Herbs, presented by St. Louis Herb Society

10 am to 2 pm October 18th Bring Conservation Home Expo & Native Plant Sale at Tower Grove Park. Native plants for sale, local artists, bird & bat houses, activities for all ages, exhibits.

1:30 pm October 20th University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Speak for the Trees- Community Advocacy for Urban Forests. Register

6 pm October 21st Wild Ones Webinar: Bats in the Backyard. Register

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

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

6:45 am October 28th Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

6 pm November 4th St. Louis City Public Library class at Schlafly Library: Tea Talk with Amber Fouche- A Lesson in Tea Blending, Tea Benefits, and History

6:45 am November 5th Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

5:15 pm Networking Reception and 6 pm lecture November 5th Missouri Botanical Garden: Lecture on Global Plant Conservation with Dr. Lucy Sutherland, Director, National Botanic Garden of Wales. Free

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

1 pm November 14th St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: History and Use of Herbs, presented by St. Louis Herb Society

2 pm November 15th Public Tour- Plants as Medicine at Kemper Art Museum at Washington University. Register

6:45 am November 18th Missouri Conservation Department Hike in St. Louis City: Walk Before Work at Tower Grove Park with naturalist. Register

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

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

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

1 pm December 12th St. Louis City Public Library class at Central Library: We Love Lavender! presented by St. Louis Herb Society

11 am to 4 pm January 30th, 2027, 16th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Prepackage your seeds and identify the seeds on package. Seed Swap 11 am to 12:30 pm for those who bring seeds to swap and who will receive an arm band to the Seed Room. After 12:30 pm people without an arm band may enter and select seeds from Seed Room. If you do not contribute seeds, bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear. These items will be given to a local charity.

19 Seats remaining. 1 pm April 17th St. Louis City Public Library Class at Central Library: From Garden to Table- Garlic Spring Clinic. Register

18 Seats remaining. 1 pm May 22nd St. Louis City Public Library Class at Central Library: From Garden to Table- Garlic Scape Pesto. Register

17 Seats remaining. 1 pm July 17th St. Louis City Public Library Class at Central Library: From Garden to Table- Harvesting Garlic for Garlic Aioli. Register

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Purple Liatris with complimentary bee

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

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

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

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

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

Good Reads, Views, Listens —

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

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

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

Saving Summer’s Bloom (P. Allen Smith)

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

Mosquitoes Hate This One Weird Bucket (Wild Ones)

Missouri River Bird Observatory Past Webinars and Virtual Nature School for Kids

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

November 15th Deadline to Enter Missouri State Parks & Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Adventure & Recreation, On The Trail, Parks Less Traveled, Making Memories, Capture the Beauty 

Now thru September 26th Missouri Botanical Gardens sculpture exhibit- Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

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

Thru December 31st Missouri Botanical Gardens photography exhibit- Gardenscapes: Patterns in Bloom. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

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

—– DAILY —–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Noon to 2 pm August 8th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am August 15th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House: Bok Choy Chun Mei, Broccoli Burgundy, Broccoli Castle Dome, Cabbage Caraflex, Cabbage (Napa) Minuet, Cabbage Red Almero, Cauliflower Minuteman, Collards Southern Georgia, Kale Black Jack, Kohlrabi Azur Star, Lettuce Heat Tolerant Variety Pack, Lettuce Sierra, Misome Choho (Tatsoi Hybrid). Get in line early for best selection, bring your own box for plants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 am to 4 pm January 30th, 2027, 16th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Prepackage your seeds and identify the seeds on package. Seed Swap 11 am to 12:30 pm for those who bring seeds to swap and who will receive an arm band to the Seed Room. After 12:30 pm people without an arm band may enter and select seeds from Seed Room. If you do not contribute seeds, bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear. These items will be given to a local charity.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Sprouting Broccoli

Plant of the Week: Broccoli. We grow both big head green broccoli and purple sprouting broccoli. For Fall planting, start seeds indoors now. If in St. Louis area, buy seedlings at August 15th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedlings Sale

Mosquito Bucket Challenge. Join thousands reducing mosquitoes without fogging—in your own yard using a bucket and Bti (Homegrown National Park)

Plan your garden with 2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. This week: Start Seeds Indoors for Fall Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Collards, Kale

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Forest ReLeaf Project CommuniTree Fall Applications, Best of Missouri Market at Missouri Botanical Garden

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

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

Good Reads, Views, Listens —

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

June Native Plant News (Wild Ones)

What you needle to know about the Asian needle ant (University of Missouri Extension) Also see Painful stings, forest risks tied to ant now confirmed in Missouri (Columbia Daily Tribune via Wayback Machine)

Real estate deal gives a boost to New Hampshire’s imperiled state butterfly. A portion of Concord’s pine barrens, the only known home in all of New England for the iridescent, endangered Karner blue butterfly, is changing hands. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

Listen to Britain’s dawn chorus of 1976: the dramatic loss of birdsong in 50 years. Guardian recreates audio landscape of past filled by loud morning symphony before 73m wild birds were lost (The Guardian)

Missouri River Bird Observatory Past Webinars and Virtual Nature School for Kids

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
July 11th Tower Grove East. Register
July 12th Forest Park Southeast. Register
July 19th Shaw. Register

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

July 15th Deadline to Enter Wild Ones Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Connecting People & Native Plants, Native & Community Landscapes, Native Plants Year-Round, Fauna, Flora. Also see Through the Lens of Native Landscapes: A Q&A with Photographer David Silsbee

July 24th Deadline to Register for 1-3 pm July 28th-30th University of Illinois Extension Online Workshops: Which Grass is Which? Learn about Illinois’ common woodland grasses, common prairie grasses, common nuisance grasses. Register

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

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

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

November 15th Deadline to Enter Missouri State Parks & Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Adventure & Recreation, On The Trail, Parks Less Traveled, Making Memories, Capture the Beauty 

Now thru September 26th Missouri Botanical Gardens sculpture exhibit- Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

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

Now thru December 31st Missouri Botanical Gardens photography exhibit- Gardenscapes: Patterns in Bloom. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

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

—– DAILY —–

Noon Monday, July 6th, Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class: Fireflies. Register

2 pm Monday, July 6th, Seed St. Louis class at Mid-County Branch, St. Louis County Library: Grapes and Kiwis- Trellises, Pruning and Care. Register

For Kids and their caregivers. 6-8 pm Tuesday, July 7th, Missouri Botanical Garden Sustainable STEM Night. Free bus transportation available from Central and Julia Davis Libraries. Register

Vounteers Wanted. 8 am Wednesday, July 8th, Heartlands Conservancy event at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Stewardship Day. Register

Volunteers Wanted. Brightside St. Louis North St. Louis Blitz Clean-up & Beautification, 4500 Block of St. Louis Ave.

8:15 pm Thursday, July 9th, Heartlands Conservancy Firefly Walk at Exploration Garden, Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois. Register

6 pm Thursday, July 9th, Seed St. Louis Zoom class: Vegetable Pest & Disease Management. Register

6 pm Friday, July 10th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Invasive Crayfish Class, Session 1. Learn about native and invasive crayfish to Missouri and practice trapping for science Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am Saturday, July 11th, Heartlands Conservancy Arlington Wetlands Stewardship Day, Pontoon Beach, Illinois. Register

9 am Saturday, July 11th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Invasive Crayfish Class, Session 2. Trap recovery and some citizen science. Register

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

Noon to 2 pm Saturday, July 11th, St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

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

2 pm July 11th St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Forest Park Owls- Hunting and Feeding, presented by award winning naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw. Register 

14 Tickets remaining. 7 am July 15th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: Summer Morning Birding Hike on Broken Ridge, a 2/3 mile paved loop trail with multiple steep inclines. Binoculars provided. Register

4 pm July 15th Grow Native! Webinar: Greetings from the Prairie Garden Trust, a Grow Native! Garden of Excellence. Learn how this 240-acre old farm blossomed into a diverse native plant “nature garden” over the course of 30 years.  Register

9 am to 4 pm July 18th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Funga Fair- A Mushroom Event Hosted by the Missouri Mycological Society. 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.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am July 18th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Watering Day. Help water 120 trees. Requires walking across uneven surfaces carrying 5-10 lbs of water.

6 pm July 20th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Phenomenal Phenology, the study of seasonal changes such as when wildflowers bloom, insects emerge, tree’s leaf out and birds migrate. Register

Noon July 21st Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Phenomenal Phenology, the study of seasonal changes such as when wildflowers bloom, insects emerge, tree’s leaf out and birds migrate. Register

7 pm July 21st Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers 2025 Show set to music. Register

10 am to 5 pm July 22nd-26th Missouri Botanical Garden’s Little Shop Around the Corner Clearance Sale, Southwest Garden

6 pm July 22 Wild Ones Webinar: How to Talk to Your Neighbors (and Your HOA) About Your Garden. You planted native. Your neighbor has opinions. Maybe your HOA does too. If you’ve ever felt like the hardest part of native plant gardening is the conversations, not the gardening, you’re not alone. 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.

8 Tickets remaining. 9 am July 24th Missouri Conservation Department event at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Hike Lime Kiln Trail Loop Trail, 3-mile guided hike. Register

9 am to 4 pm Saturday-Sunday, July 25th-26th, Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Plant Sale at Jost Event Center, Overland

1:30 July 25th Grow Native! Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Reconstructed Meadow Walking Tour with James Faupel, Director of Horticulture and Curator of Living Collections. Register

6 pm July 16th Dogtown Community Garden Open House. Register

6 Seats remaining. 10 am July 29th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: DIY Hummingbird Feeders. Register

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

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

16 Seats remaining. For Kids 7 year and younger. 10:30 am July 30th Missouri Conservation Department Conservation Kids program at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- Life in the Water! Register

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

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

13 Tickets remaining. For Ages 9+. Ages 9-15 must be accompanied by an adult. 9 am July 31st Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Beginner Archery for Families. Do not bring your own equipment. Register

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

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

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.

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

6:30 pm August 5th Shakespeare at Missouri Botanical Garden: Two Gentlemen of Verona. Free

9 Tickets remaining. For ages 7+. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. 6 pm August 6th Missouri Conservation Department class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, Proper Fish Handling. Register

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

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

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

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

Noon to 2 pm August 8th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am August 15th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale at Carriage House: Bok Choy Chun Mei, Broccoli Burgundy, Broccoli Castle Dome, Cabbage Caraflex, Cabbage (Napa) Minuet, Cabbage Red Almero, Cauliflower Minuteman, Collards Southern Georgia, Kale Black Jack, Kohlrabi Azur Star, Lettuce Heat Tolerant Variety Pack, Lettuce Sierra, Misome Choho (Tatsoi Hybrid). Get in line early for best selection, bring your own box for plants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 am to 4 pm January 30th, 2027, 16th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Prepackage your seeds and identify the seeds on package. Seed Swap 11 am to 12:30 pm for those who bring seeds to swap and who will receive an arm band to the Seed Room. After 12:30 pm people without an arm band may enter and select seeds from Seed Room. If you do not contribute seeds, bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear. These items will be given to a local charity.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Flowering Compass Plant, looks like small sunflowers

Plant of the Week: very tall native Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum). Looking for a perennial sunflower-like plant that doesn’t seed all over? This is it.

Plan your garden with 2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. This week: Transplant Basil, Eggplant, Melons, Peppers, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes; Direct Sow Basil, Beans, Cucumber, Melons, Okra, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Bowood Farms deep discounts; September 26th St. Louis County Library Plant & Cuttings Swap at Grand Glaize Branch

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 —

Grow healthier ecosystems at home this pollinator month (University of Illinois Extension)

Daylily: Big color without the fuss (University of Missouri Extension)

Five things to know about pesticides, cancer and a pending Supreme Court ruling (Investigate Midwest)

Go figure, figs are a great addition to home gardens (University of Illinois Extension)

Bear sightings in Columbia highlight growing population (University of Missouri Extension)

Lawmakers demand info on Trump use of national park fees to pay for D.C. repairs (Kansas Reflector)

Missouri River Bird Observatory Past Webinars and Virtual Nature School for Kids

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

June 30th Deadline to Enter Missouri Prairie Foundation Prairie Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Native Prairie Species (plants, animals, invertebrates, fungi), People on the Prairie, Prairie landscapes.

July 1st Submissions Open for Missouri Riverbird Observatory Photo Contest

July 15th Deadline to Enter Wild Ones Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Connecting People & Native Plants, Native & Community Landscapes, Native Plants Year-Round, Fauna, Flora

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

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

November 15th Deadline to Enter Missouri State Parks & Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Adventure & Recreation, On The Trail, Parks Less Traveled, Making Memories, Capture the Beauty 

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
June 20th St. Louis Place. Register
June 20th Benton Park West. Register
June 21st Shaw. Register
July 5th Forest Park Southeast. Register

Now thru September 26th Missouri Botanical Gardens sculpture exhibit- Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Now thru December 31st Missouri Botanical Gardens photography exhibit- Gardenscapes: Patterns in Bloom. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Thru March 27, 2027, Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum– The Literary Garden: The Cultivation of Plants and Gardens in Narratives. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

—– DAILY —–

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am Thursday, June 18th, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Edwardsville, Illinois: Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Stewardship Day. Register

For kids 7 years old or younger. 7 Tickets remaining. 10:30 Thursday, June 18th, Missouri Conservation Department kids event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- One Fish, Two Fish! Register

2 pm Thursday, June 18th, St. Louis County Public Library class at Rock Road Branch: Grapes and Kiwis- Trellises, Pruning and Care presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

5:30 am Thursday, June 18th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Evening Hike at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Register

6 pm Thursday, June 18th, St. Louis County Public Library class at Prairie Commons Branch: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

6 pm Thursday, June 18th, St. Louis City Public Library class at Schlafly Library: Plant Predators: An Introduction to Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

6:30 pm Thursday, June 18th, Heartlands Conservancy Third Thursday Group Bike Ride on St. Clair County IL Transit District Trails, 16 miles. Register 

10 am Friday, June 19th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Saturday, June 20th, Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Watering Day. Help water 120 trees. Requires walking across uneven surfaces carrying 5-10 lbs of water.

9 am to 5 pm Saturday, 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.

10 am Saturday, June 20th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing for People with Disabilities. Fishing poles and bait provided. No Registration required.

10 am Saturday, June 20th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Summer Arboretum Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

7 pm Saturday, June 20th, Stargazing at Tower Grove Park with St. Louis Astronomical Society

14 Tickets remaining. For ages 18+. 1 pm Sunday, June 21st, Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish with a Modern Cane Pole. Poles provided. Register

6 pm Monday, June 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Discover Missouri’s Butterflies. Register

7 pm Monday, June 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Stream Team Volunteers Orientation & Onboarding. Register

2 Tickets remaining. 9 am Tuesday, June 23rd, Missouri Conservation Department class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Beginner Birding. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 23rd, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

4 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am Tuesday, June 23rd, Missouri Conservation Department Birding Hike on Rock Quarry Trail, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

1 pm Tuesday, June 23rd, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Summer Floriography, the Language of Flowers with make & take cut flower arrangement. $15 Donation suggested. Register

5:30-7:30 pm Wednesday, June 24th, Missouri Coalition for Environment Chat for Change at Schlafly Tap Room. As of 6/07 there are eleven elected officials participating. Register

23 Seats remaining. 2 pm June 25th Tower Grove Park class: Beneficial Bugs, presented by Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Register

4 pm June 25th St. Louis County Public Library class at Bridgeton Trails Branch:
Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit
presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

6 pm June 25th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Hummingbirds. Register

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.

6 Tickets remaining. 9 am June 26th Missouri Conservation Department Hike on Lime Kiln Loop Trail, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

9 am June 26th The Nature Institute Restoration Workday, Invasive Species Removal, Godfrey, Illinois. Register

6 pm June 26th Audubon Center at Riverlands Kayaking in Ellis Bay: Sunset Paddle. 2.5 hour beginner-friendly class will highlight Stream Team and how to get involved with river clean ups. $25. Register

9 am Jun 27th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Summer Floriography, the Language of Flowers with make & take cut flower arrangement. $15 Donation suggested. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 27th-28th St. Louis Water Garden Society’s Pond-O-Rama

9 am to 5 pm June 27th Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale

20 Tickets remaining. 10 am June 27th Missouri Conservation Department Fishing & Walking Tour of Bellefontaine Conservation Area, Bellefontaine Neighbors, North St. Louis County. Register

10 am June 27th Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

10 am June 27th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

11:30 am – 4:30 pm June 27th Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum- Literary Learning Day: Gardens & Grief in Victorian Literature. 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.

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

2 pm June 27th The Nature Institute Class in Godfrey, Illinois: Ecology and Identification of Common Woodland Ferns in Illinois, presented by forester Christopher Evans, University of Illinois Extension. Optional hike afterward. Register

11 am June 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Picnic with Staff and Volunteers. Register

2:30 pm June 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Tour with Master Guide. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 30th, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about  Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

6 pm June 30th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Turtles of Missouri. Register

6 pm June 30th Missouri Conservation Department class at Carpenter Library, St. Louis City: The Birds Are Back in Town for beginner birdwatchers. Registration not required.

9 am July 1st Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Summer Wildflower Walk with Horticulturist. $5 Donation suggested. Register

5 -7:30 pm July 1st Willoughby Farm Ask a Master Gardener Garden Tour, Collinsville, Illinois

Noon July 2nd Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class:  Plumology 101 – The Study of Feathers, hummingbirds to ostriches. Register

12 Tickets remaining. For 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 6 pm July 2nd Missouri Conservation Department class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

Noon July 6th Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class: Fireflies. Register

For Kids and their caregivers. 6-8 pm July 7th Missouri Botanical Garden Sustainable STEM Night. Free bus transportation available from Central and Julia Davis Libraries. Register

Vounteers Wanted. 8 am July 8th Heartlands Conservancy event at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Stewardship Day. Register

17 Tickets remaining. For 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 6 pm July 9th Missouri Department of Conservation Class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

8:15 pm July 9th Heartlands Conservancy Firefly Walk at Exploration Garden, Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am July 11th Heartlands Conservancy Arlington Wetlands Stewardship Day, Pontoon Beach, Illinois. Register

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

Noon to 2 pm July 11th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

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

2 pm July 11th St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Forest Park Owls- Hunting and Feeding, presented by award winning naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw. Register 

17 Tickets remaining. 8 pm July 16th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Powder Valley Hike at Dusk. Register

9 am to 4 pm July 18th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Funga Fair- A Mushroom Event Hosted by the Missouri Mycological Society. 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.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am July 18th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Watering Day. Help water 120 trees. Requires walking across uneven surfaces carrying 5-10 lbs of water.

7 pm July 21st Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: Missouri Nature and Environmental Photographers 2025 Show set to music. Register

6 pm July 22 Wild Ones Webinar: How to Talk to Your Neighbors (and Your HOA) About Your Garden. 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.

7 Seats remaining.10 am July 25th Missouri Conservation Department event at Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office, Southwest Garden neighborhood: Nature Crocheters- Dragonflies. Register

9 am to 4 pm Saturday-Sunday, July 25th-26th, Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Plant Sale at Jost Event Center, Overland

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

9 am July 30th Missouri Conservation Department’s Summer Morning Walk in Tower Grove Park. Register

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

Noon to 2 pm August 8th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

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

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: Bok Choy Chun Mei, Broccoli Burgundy, Broccoli Castle Dome, Cabbage Caraflex, Cabbage (Napa) Minuet, Cabbage Red Almero, Cauliflower Minuteman, Collards Southern Georgia, Kale Black Jack, Kohlrabi Azur Star, Lettuce Heat Tolerant Variety Pack, Lettuce Sierra, Misome Choho (Tatsoi Hybrid). Get in line early for best selection, bring your own box for plants.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

11 am to 4 pm January 30th, 2027, 16th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Prepackage your seeds and identify the seeds on package. Seed Swap 11 am to 12:30 pm for those who bring seeds to swap and who will receive an arm band to the Seed Room. After 12:30 pm people without an arm band may enter and select seeds from Seed Room. If you do not contribute seeds, bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear. These items will be given to a local charity.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Garden bed with Curly Kale and Dinosaur Kale, beats, a sunflower

Plant of the Week: Kale, one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet; rich in vitamin A, C, K, B6, with large amounts of potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese. The ancient Greeks cultivated leafy greens like kale and boiled
them to eat as a cure for drunkenness, per Seed St. Louis.

Plan your garden with 2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. This week: Transplant Basil, Eggplant, Melons, Peppers, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes; Direct Sow Basil, Beans, Cucumber, Melons, Okra, Summer Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes

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

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 —

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

This month in your garden: June tips for St. Louisans (St. Louis Magazine)

Garden named for tornado victim continues Mrs. Pat’s legacy of feeding, cultivating community (St. Louis Public Radio)

St. Louis Mosquito Education (Brightside St. Louis)

‘This is not a hippy thing’: the startup recycling urine to make natural fertiliser. As recent conflicts expose vulnerability of fertiliser markets and its effect on food security, VunaNexus offers an alternative (The Guardian)

Summer wildflowers bring color to roadsides and backyards. Also see Wildflowers in the Home Landscape (University of Missouri Extension)

St. Peters man’s victory will give many more people the right to a jury trial. Chris Bank was prosecuted for his sunflowers. But his attorney Bevis Schock saw a bigger principle at stake. (St. Louis Magazine)

Missouri River Bird Observatory Past Webinars and Virtual Nature School for Kids

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

June 30th Deadline to Enter Missouri Prairie Foundation Prairie Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Native Prairie Species (plants, animals, invertebrates, fungi), People on the Prairie, Prairie landscapes.

July 1st Submissions Open for Missouri Riverbird Observatory Photo Contest

July 15th Deadline to Enter Wild Ones Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Connecting People & Native Plants, Native & Community Landscapes, Native Plants Year-Round, Fauna, Flora

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

November 15th Deadline to Enter Missouri State Parks & Missouri Rural Electric Cooperatives Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest. 2026 Categories: Adventure & Recreation, On The Trail, Parks Less Traveled, Making Memories, Capture the Beauty 

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
June 20th St. Louis Place. Register
June 20th Benton Park West. Register
June 21st Shaw. Register
July 5th Forest Park Southeast. Register

Now thru September 26th Missouri Botanical Gardens sculpture exhibit- Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Now thru December 31st Missouri Botanical Gardens photography exhibit- Gardenscapes: Patterns in Bloom. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

Thru March 27, 2027, Missouri Botanical Garden exhibit at Sachs Museum– The Literary Garden: The Cultivation of Plants and Gardens in Narratives. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

—– DAILY —–

10 am Monday, June 8th, St. Louis County Public Library class at Oak Bend Branch: Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

10 am Monday, June 8th, St. Louis County Public Library class at Eureka Hills Branch: Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

7 Tickets remaining. 10 am Tuesday, June 9th, Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 9th, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about Windowsill chives (Allium schoenoprasum ‘Grolau’) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

1:30 pm Tuesday, June 9th, University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Moth Gardening: Amazing Pollinators of the Night. Register

6:30 pm Tuesday, June 9th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Cub Speaker Series at Old Bakery Beer, Alton IL: National Rivers Month, presented by Perry Whitaker, former Missouri State Director for the American Canoe Association. Register

9 am Wednesday, June 10th, Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center event at Education Center on Shaw: Unfolding Nature’s Calendar: Plants, Climate, and Phenology. Register

6 pm Wednesday, June 10th, Missouri Coalition for Environment Session Wrap Up Webinar. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am Thursday, June 11th, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

6 pm Thursday, June 11th St. Louis County Public Library class at Mid-County Branch: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am Friday, June 12th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club O’Fallon Park Tree Watering. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am Friday, June 12th, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Volunteer Stewardship Day. Register

3 Tickets reamining. 11:30 am Friday, June 12th, Missouri Conservation Department Class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Beginner Archery for Adults. DO NOT bring your own equipment. Register

4-8 pm Friday and 9 am to 1 pm Saturday, June 12th-13th, Madison County IL Extension Education Foundation Garden Tour, private gardens in Glen Carbon. Tickets $15

5:30-7:30 pm Saturday, June 12th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Sips, Souls, and Strolls- 1880-90 Decades. Enjoy beer, wine, and light hors d’oeuvres as you stroll through the beautiful grounds. $15 suggested donation. Register

6 pm Friday, June 12th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Fireflies. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Saturday, June 13th, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Bethalto, Illinois: Stream Cleanup at Steve Bryant Park. Register

10 am Saturday, June 13th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club outing in Edwardsville, Illinois: Tenderloin Farms Tour, former hog and dairy farm now a lavender farm. Register

10 am to 2 pm Saturday, June 13th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum events: Summer Garden Tours- three Garden Design Walking Tours; Flowering Plants Walking Tour; Tree Walking Tour; Trolley Tour; more. Register

11 am Saturday, June 13th, Missouri Conservation Department class at Buder Library: Introduction to Urban Fishing. No Registration required.

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

Noon to 2 pm Saturday, June 13th, St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

1 pm Saturday, June 13th, Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class: Companion Planting with Native Plants. Register

1 pm Saturday, June 13th, St. Louis Public Library Plant & Seed Swap at Thornhill Branch, Fenton. Register

2 pm Saturday, June 13th, St. Louis Public Library Plant & Seed Swap at Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 16th, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about Giant of Italy parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

9 am to 5 pm June 17th Missouri Botanical Garden special event: The Freedom Seekers Project & Juneteenth Journey ZMD Collaboration. 11 am St. Louis Black Authors, Story Time, Spoken Word, and Book Giveaway; 1 pm Film Screening: Annie Malone Turnbo: The Untold Story. Garden Admission Fee applies.

9 am June 17th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Wildwood Valley Garden Walk with Horticulturist. $5 Doantion suggested. Register

3:30 June 17th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Summer Wildflower Identification. Register

4 pm June 17th Grow Native! Webinar: Living Roots & The Promise of Perennial Foods in the Prairie Region. Register

6 pm June 17th Carondelet Food Patch Paint & Sip. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 8 am June 18th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer project in Edwardsville, Illinois: Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Stewardship Day. Register

For kids 7 years old or younger. 18 Tickets remaining. 10:30 June 18th Missouri Conservation Department kids event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- One Fish, Two Fish! Register

2 pm June 18th St. Louis County Public Library class at Rock Road Branch: Grapes and Kiwis- Trellises, Pruning and Care presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

5:30 am June 18th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Evening Hike at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Register

6 pm June 18th St. Louis County Public Library class at Prairie Commons Branch: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

6 pm June 18th St. Louis City Public Library class at Schlafly Library: Plant Predators: An Introduction to Carnivorous Plants, presented by St. Louis Carnivorous Plant Society. Register

10 am June 19th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am June 20th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Watering Day. Help water 120 trees. Requires walking across uneven surfaces carrying 5-10 lbs of water.

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.

10 am June 20th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing for People with Disabilities. Fishing poles and bait provided. No Registration required.

10 am June 20th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Summer Arboretum Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

7 pm June 20th Stargazing at Tower Grove Park with St. Louis Astronomical Society

14 Tickets remaining. For ages 18+. 1 pm June 21st Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish with a Modern Cane Pole. Poles provided. Register

6 pm June 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Discover Missouri’s Butterflies. Register

7 pm June 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Stream Team Volunteers Orientation & Onboarding. Register

9 Tickets remaining. 9 am June 23rd Missouri Conservation Department class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Beginner Birding. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 23rd, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

10 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am June 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Birding Hike on Rock Quarry Trail, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

1 pm June 23rd Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Summer Floriography, the Language of Flowers with make & take cut flower arrangement. $15 Donation suggested. Register

5:30-7:30 pm June 24th Missouri Coalition for Environment Chat for Change at Schlafly Tap Room. As of 6/07 there are eleven elected officials participating. Register

28 Seats remaining. 2 pm June 25th Tower Grove Park class: Beneficial Bugs, presented by Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Register

4 pm June 25th St. Louis County Public Library class at Bridgeton Trails Branch:
Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines and Cane Fruit
presented by Seed St. Louis. Register

6 pm June 25th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Hummingbirds. Register

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.

8 Tickets remaining. 9 am June 26th Missouri Conservation Department Hike on Lime Kiln Loop Trail, Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood. Register

6 pm June 26th Audubon Center at Riverlands Kayaking in Ellis Bay: Sunset Paddle. 2.5 hour beginner-friendly class will highlight Stream Team and how to get involved with river clean ups. $25. Register

9 am Jun 27th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Horticulture Class: Summer Floriography, the Language of Flowers with make & take cut flower arrangement. $15 Donation suggested. Register

9 am to 5 pm June 27th-28th St. Louis Water Garden Society’s Pond-O-Rama

9 am to 5 pm June 27th Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale

10 am June 27th Tower Grove Park Nee Kee Nee (East Stream) Tour. Register

10 am June 27th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5 Donation suggested. Register

11:30 am – 4:30 pm June 27th Missouri Botanical Garden event at Sachs Museum- Literary Learning Day: Gardens & Grief in Victorian Literature. 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.

13 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 June 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Picnic with Staff and Volunteers. Register

2:30 pm June 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Tour with Master Guide. Register

10 am Tuesday, June 30th, St. Louis Herb Society Pot-A-Plant at PlantLab (adjacent to the Climatron), Missouri Botanical Garden: Learn about  Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) and pot a plant to take home (while supplies last). Admission fee to MoBot applies.

6 pm June 30th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Turtles of Missouri. Register

6 pm June 30th Missouri Conservation Department class at Carpenter Library, St. Louis City: The Birds Are Back in Town for beginner birdwatchers. Registration not required.

9 am July 1st Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Summer Wildflower Walk with Horticulturist. $5 Donation suggested. Register

19 Tickets available. For 7 years old and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 6 pm July 2nd Missouri Conservation Department class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

For Kids and their caregivers. 6-8 pm July 7th Missouri Botanical Garden Sustainable STEM Night. Free bus transportation available from Central and Julia Davis Libraries. Register

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

Noon to 2 pm July 11th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

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

2 pm July 11th St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Forest Park Owls- Hunting and Feeding, presented by award winning naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw. Register 

9 am to 4 pm July 18th Missouri Botanical Garden event: Funga Fair- A Mushroom Event Hosted by the Missouri Mycological Society. 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.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am July 18th Forest ReLeaf O’Fallon Park Tree Watering Day. Help water 120 trees. Requires walking across uneven surfaces carrying 5-10 lbs of water.

6 pm July 22 Wild Ones Webinar: How to Talk to Your Neighbors (and Your HOA) About Your Garden. 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.

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

Noon to 2 pm August 8th St. Louis Horticultural Society Plant MD at Kirkwood Public Library

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

11 am to 4 pm January 30th, 2027, 16th Annual STL Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Prepackage your seeds and identify the seeds on package. Seed Swap 11 am to 12:30 pm for those who bring seeds to swap and who will receive an arm band to the Seed Room. After 12:30 pm people without an arm band may enter and select seeds from Seed Room. If you do not contribute seeds, bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products or new kids socks and underwear. These items will be given to a local charity.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Lady Jane Amaryllis, shades of pink

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

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

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

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

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

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

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

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

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

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

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

November Native Plant News (Wild Ones)

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—– DAILY —–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am to 5 pm January 31st-February 1st Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Yellow and pink peach snapdragons growing in garden

Plant of the Week: Snapdragons, great garden color in cooler months.

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. 2026 Updates: Added Missouri Invasive Plant Council Callery Pear, Bradford Pear Buyback; Spring & Fall Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sales

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

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

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

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

Gorgeous- 1850-1925 Nursery and Seed Trade Catalogs (National Agricultural Library, USDA)

Paperwhites provide instant spring — just add water (Fulton Sun)

Should You Cut Back Asters Before Winter? Here’s What Gardening Pros Actually Do. Deciding whether to cut back the flower depends on your specific goals. (Martha Stewart)

How urban farms can make cities more livable and help feed America. Metropolitan gardens and farms are extraordinarily powerful tools that can improve food security, lower temperatures, and create invaluable gathering spaces. (Grist)

Should You Cut Back Lilacs Before Winter? Gardeners Often Get This Step Wrong. Fall pruning can cut off next season’s blooms. (Martha Stewart)

2025 Wild Ones Photo Contest Results. Lots of native pretties and pollinators (Wild Ones)

Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. Ridership jumped, people cut back on driving and, over the summer, the city extended the program another year. (New York Times via Wayback Machine so no paywall)

Australia to offer three hours free solar per day to millions (Reuters)

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 —–

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

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
December 6th Hyde Park. Register
December 7th Forest Park Southeast. Register
December 13th Tower Grove East. Register
December 13th Benton Park West. Register
December 20th Old North. Register
December 20th Benton Park. Register
December 21st Shaw. Register
December 27th Bevo. Register

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

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

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

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 —–

6 pm Tuesday, November 25th, Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Wild Turkeys. Register

15 Tickets remaining. 1 pm Friday, November 28th, Missouri Conservation event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Walk off the Turkey and Pumpkin Pie Hike. Register

Volunteers Wanted: 9 am Saturday, November 29th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club VolunteerDay at Babler State Park, Wildwood. Register

10 am Saturday, November 29th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club event at Salt Lick Point Land & Water Reserve, Valmeyer, Illinois: Salt Lick Trail Hike,  moderate to strenuous hike with elevation rise of over 400 feet to the Mississippi overlook. Register

6:30 am December 2nd, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Birds & Brews- Bird Watching with Coffee. Register

4 pm December 3rd Missouri Prairie Foundation webinar: Lichens in the Tallgrass Biome, presented by Douglas Ladd, conservation biologist, plant ecologist, conservation director for The Nature Conservancy’s Missouri program. Register 

Volunteers wanted. 9 am December 4th Heartlands Conservancy event in Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

5:30 pm December 4th The Nature Institute event in Godfrey, Illinois: Moonlight Hike. Register

Volunteers Wanted: 9 am December 6th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club volunteer day: Castlewood Service Project, Ballwin. Register

10 am December 6th The Nature Institute event in Godfrey, Illinois: Grow Your Own Mushrooms Workshop. $20 includes take home oyster mushroom growing kit. Register

6 pm December 6th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Holiday Party & Potluck at Ethical Society. Register

1 pm December 6th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Preventing Winter Plant Damage

2 pm December 6th Missouri Conservation Department hiking event at Tower Grove Park: A Winter Walk in Tower Grove Park. Register

17 Tickets remaining. 9 am December 7th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Nature Photography with a Phone. Includes 1/3 mile loop walk, Tanglevine Trail. Register

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

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

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

11 am December 13th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens November 15th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am to 5 pm January 31st-February 1st Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free until Noon on Saturdays and Wednesdays to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents, except during MoBot special events, otherwise Garden Fee applies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Scarlett Heaven, a red peony with yellow center

Plant of the Week: Peonies. Shown is Scarlet Heaven.

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: more St. Louis County Library Plant Swaps, Ste Genevieve Master Gardeners Garden Tour & 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 —

Why “Sharp Sand” Is the Secret to a Successful Garden, According to Horticulturists. This coarse, gritty sand improves drainage, fights root rot, and makes soil easier to dig—here’s how to use it right. (Real Simple)

The Joy of Native Plant Gardening. Planting native flora in your yard (as opposed to grass) offers a water-saving landscape and haven for pollinators. It can also provide peace and wonder. (Mountain Journal)

Aphids plaguing UK gardens in warm spring weather, says Royal Horticultural Society. Sap-sucking insects top list of queries to gardening charity after causing significant harm to plants (The Guardian)

Missouri is still illegally denying food assistance despite court order (Missouri Independent)

Butterflies of Missouri. Introduction to Butterflies (Washington University)

What Trump’s cuts to federal climate research could mean for Illinois. State climate scientists, lawmakers seek local solutions to address climate change (Capitol News Illinois)

Report: April storms that caused “generational” flooding made 40% more likely by climate change (Arkansas Advocate)

Bike buses get St. Louis kids to school—no school bus driver needed. Nonprofit St. Louis BWorks is organizing people-powered bike buses to get kids to and from six different schools this year. (St. Louis Magazine)

DOGE cuts take almost $500K from St. Louis nonprofit that teaches kids about nature (St. Louis Public Radio)

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

DAILY

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

1-4 pm Tuesday, May 13th, Bellefontaine Cemetery in person horticulture class: Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners. $15 suggested donation. Register

6:30 pm Tuesday, May 13th, Piasa Pallisades Sierra Club event at Old Bakery Beer, Alton IL: Speaker Series- Future of the Power Grid presented by Dr. Nicholas Johnson, Principia College. Learn about Illinois proposed Clean & Reliable Grid Affordability Act. Register

9 am Wednesday, May 14th, Bellefontaine Cemetery event: Arboretum Tour- Wildwood Valley Garden Walk with horticulturist. $5 suggested donation. Register

2-6 pm Wednesday, May 14th, Spring Plant Swap at LINC St. Charles County Community Center, 9 Love Park Lane, Wentzville MO

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

6 pm Thursday, May 15th, Edwardsville Public Library class: Composting 101

6:30 pm Thursday, May 15th, Heartland Conservancy event: Third Thursday Cycling Series, Illinois.  16 miles on St. Clair County Transit District trails

7 pm Thursday, May 15th, St. Louis County Library Virtual Class: Houseplant Propagation 101. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, May 16th, Heartlands Conservancy event at Belleville IL: Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Volunteer Stewardship Day. Register

10 am Friday, May 16th, Bellefontaine Cemetery event: Springtime History & Horticulture Tour with Master Guide. Register

3:30 pm Friday, May 16th, Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Outdoor Hazards- snakes, ticks, heat, and more. Learn how to prevent and reduce run-ins with outdoor hazards. Register

9 am to 5 pm Saturday, 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.

Only an hour drive from St. Louis. 9 am Saturday, May 17th, Heartlands Conservancy event at Carlyle Lake, Clinton County IL: Birding Walk. Register

Only an hour drive from St. Louis. 9 am to 4 pm Saturday-Sunday, May 17th-18th, Ste Genevieve Master Gardeners & University of Missouri Extension event: Garden Walk & Plant Sale. Visit private, historic gardens. Tickets to Walk $10 at event- cash, check, Venmo

Saturday, May 17th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tours with Master Guide. $5 suggested donation. Register for 10 am Tour. Register for 1:30 pm Tour.

10 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 17th, Garden America Plant Expo at Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center, St. Charles MO. Wild Ones St. Charles Chapter will be selling native plants.

2 Seats remaining. 6 pm May 19th St. Louis Public Library event at Machacek Library: DIY Spice Blends. Register

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

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

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

2 pm 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 May 21st Missouri Conservation Department Virtual event: Citizen Science- Butterfly Surveys. Register

4 pm 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 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.

9 Tickets remaining. May 23rd 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 May 23rd St. Louis County event at Clark Branch: Seed & Plant Swap. Register

8 am to 4 pm May 24th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

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

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am 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 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 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

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

10 am to 5 pm June 7th-8th Lafayette Square House & Garden Tour. Ticket info pending

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, registration opens May 17th

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.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Coral Honesuckle growing on trellis

Plant of the Week: Native Coral Honeysuckle, a hummingbird magnet. Native from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Virginia south to all states bordering the Gulf. Considered escaped in Missouri and Illinois.

Wednesday, April 30th Deadline for Powder Valley Urban Nature Photo Contest

Saturday, May 3rd, Deadline for submissions to Soulard Art Gallery juried Exhibit: The Art of Nature

Seed St. Louis Raised Bed Plant Spacing Chart

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis 2025 Planting Calendar.
-> Start Indoors This Week: Melons, Squash
-> Transplant This Week: Perennials, Trees, Basil, Cabbage, Chard, Collards, Kale
-> Sow Outdoors This Week: Beans, Beets, Collards, Kale, Parsley, Peas, Spinach, Turnips

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Free Garden Planners, most require a computer, will not work on a cell phone

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Gardners of Florissant Annual Spring Plant Sale & Garden Bazaar, O’Fallon Mo Garden Club Plant & Rummage Sale, Kress Farm Garden Preserve Plant Sale in Hillsboro, Earth Dance Farm Plant Sale, Montgomery County Master Gardeners Plant Sale, Edwardsville IL Garden Club Plant Sales, Mississippi Valley 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 —

Gardening This Week? Watch Out For Heavy Rain, Late Freezes And Flooded Soil (The Weather Channel)

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

April Native Plant News (Wild Ones)

Anyone can grow potatoes in a container. 11 year old Sam shows you how. (Gardening Well on YouTube)

Monarch butterfly super generation live up to 9 times longer than most monarchs, migrates thousands of miles (Anderson Cooper, CBS)

Regional Climate Centers shut down abruptly last week. Here’s why it matters (Harvest Public Media, KCUR)

Tips on Sustainable Gardening (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Rethink The Garden Icons: The Tragedy of the Hyacinth (Wild Ones)

Earthjustice President Describes a “Fundamentally Different” Era of Hostility Toward Environmentalists. Abigail Dillen sees the increase of lawsuits targeting green groups as just one of the growing threats to environmental advocacy organizations — and the people who staff them. (ProPublica)

The U.S. takes a step toward allowing mining on the ocean floor, a fragile ecosystem (NPR)

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. Brightside St. Louis May Blitz events. Register your neighborhood clean up and/or beautification event and request bags/tools here.

Now thru Wednesday, April 30th, St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Art Exhibit- Pressed, we flower, recent abstract works by Sean Duvahl Semones

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

Opens Friday. 11:30 am to 4:30 pm, May 2nd 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

Noon to 2 pm Sunday, April 27th, St. Charles County Master Gardener Plant Sale at Missouri University Extension, St. Peters

10 am Sunday, April 27th to 6 pm May 4th Missouri River Bird Observatory Fundraiser: Online Auction

1 pm Sunday, April 27th,  Madison County Extension Education Foundation fundraiser at Madison County Farm Bureau Building,  900 Hillsboro Ave, Edwardsville, Illinois: Plant Bingo. $20 donation suggested. Win Plants.

1:30 pm Tuesday, April 29th, University of Illinois Extension Webinar: Nature’s Uninvited Guests: The Impact of Invasive Plants. Properly dealing with invasive plants can lessen environmental impact. Register

6 pm Tuesday, April 29th, Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois- Fence Picket Planter Workshop. $40 – all materials, tools, instruction included. Register

10 am Wednesday, April 30th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Springtime History & Horticulture Walking Tour with Master Guide. Register

2 pm Wednesday, April 30th, Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Oh, Deer – Dealing with Unwanted Guests in Your Landscape. Register

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

9 am to 1 pm Friday, May 2nd, Montgomery County Master Gardeners Plant Sale at Hillsboro IL

10 am Friday, May 2nd, Missouri Botanical Garden virtual event: Landscape Therapy with Edwina von Gal. Free. Register

Noon-8 pm Friday and 9 am to 5 pm Sunday, May 2nd-3rd, Gardeners of Florissant Annual Spring Plant Sale & Garden Bazaar at Florissant Elks Lodge

2-7 pm Friday and 7 am to Noon Saturday, May 2nd-3rd, O’Fallon Mo Garden Club Plant & Rummage Sale

4-6 pm Friday, 9 am to 1 pm Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm Sunday, May 2nd-4th Earth Dance Farm Plant Sale at Ferguson MO

7 am to 3 pm Saturday and 9 am to 4 pm Sunday, May 3rd-4th, Kress Farm Garden Preserve Plant Sale in Hillsboro, Jefferson County MO. Native plants, shrubs, trees; nonnative plants, annuals, vegetable seedlings.

8 am to Noon Saturday, May 3rd, Edwardsville IL Garden Club Plant Sale at St. Mary’s Church Parking Lot

8:30 am to Noon Saturday, May 3rd, Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association Plant Sale at the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves parking lot

9 am to 1 pm Saturday, May 3rd, Shaw Nature Reserve Spring Wildflower Market. $5 per person or $10 per vehicle.

9 am to 2 pm Saturday-Sunday, May 3rd-4th, Tower Grove East Community Garden Annual Plant Sale, 3301 Sidney: veggies, annuals, perennials, hostas, ground covers, herbs

9 am to 4 pm Saturday-Sunday, May 3rd-4th, Three Rivers Community Farm Plant Sale in Elsah, Illinois: native perennials, herbs, annual bedding plants, cutting flowers, veggie seedlings

10 am Saturday, May 3rd, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Springtime History & Horticulture Walking Tour with Master Guide. Register

8 am Saturday, May 3rd, St. Louis Audubon Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

11 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 3rd, Rustic Roots Sanctuary event at Spanish Lake: Spring Dandelion Festival

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

1 pm Saturday, May 3rd, St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Growing Herbs in Containers.

1 pm Saturday, May 3rd, St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Meet the Pack- Animals of the Endangered Wolf Center. No live animals tho.

3 pm Saturday, May 3rd, St. Louis Public Library movie event at Central Library: Green City Life Film Showing & Project. More on the documentary

7-10 pm Saturday, May 3rd, weather permitting, St. Louis Astronomical Society event at Tower Grove Park: Stargazing

9 am to 4 pm Next Sunday, May 4th, Bring Conservation Home & Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter event: St. Louis Native Plant Tour in Webster Groves. $20. Register

Next Sunday-Monday, 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

10 am May 6th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. Suggested $5 donation. Register

10 Seats remaining. 2 pm May 6th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: DIY Hummingbird Feeders. Register

9 am May 7th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Wildwood Valley Garden Walk with Horticulturist. Register

10 am May 7th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Springtime History & Horticulture Walking Tour with Master Guide. Register

4 pm May 7th Grow Native! Webinar: Native Plants & Neotropical Bird Migration. Register

May 8th-9th Jeanette Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Spring Plant Sale at Washington University

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am May 8th Heartlands Conservancy event in Edwardsville IL: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

3 pm May 8th St. Louis Public Library event at Baden Library: Mocktails and Garden Party. enjoy refreshing mocktails while crafting your own potted plant to take home.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am May 9th Sierra Club Eastern Missouri Castlewood State Park Service Project, Ballwin: maintaining and repairing trails, closing social trails, and picking up trash. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am May 9th Heartlands Conservancy event at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea IL: Exploration Garden Stewardship Day. Register

2 pm May 9th St. Louis County Library class at Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton: Growing Herbs in Containers presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Register

4 pm May 9th Missouri Conservation Department virtual event: Avian IQ- Bird Trivia. Register

8 am to Noon May 10th Mississippi Valley Garden Club Plant Sale at Godfrey, Illinois

8 am to 1 pm May 10th Flora Conservancy Plant Sale @ Greenhouse, Forest Park

22 Tickets remaining. 8 am May 10th Missouri Conservation Department event at Weldon Spring Conservation Area, St. Charles MO: Lewis and Clark Trail Hike, 8.3 miles with spectacular views of the Missouri River. Register

9 am May 10th Seed St. Louis Summer Seedling & Sweet Potato Slip Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell. Annuals: Basil, Eggplant, Sweet Peppers, Sweet Potato Slips, Tomatoes. Perennials: native Clustered Mountain Mint, Lavender, Red Veined Sorrel, Rhubarb, Sea Kale, Wild Arugula, Wild Korean Celery. Also see 10:30 am class.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am May 10th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club event at Alton, Illinois: Wadlow Restoration Volunteer Day. The former site of a municipal gold course is being restored to native plants. Register

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

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

9 am to Noon May 10th Illinois Native Plant Society’s Native Plant Sale at Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield. It’s only an hour and a half drive or train ride from St. Louis.

10 am May 10th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Spring Arboretum Trolley Tour with Horticulturist. Suggested $5 donation. Register

10 am May 10th St. Louis County Library event at Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton: Seed & Plant Swap. Register

10 am May 10th St. Louis Audubon The Birds and the Beers event at Tower Grove Park, then 2nd Shift Brewing on The Hill. $20. Register

10:30 am May 10th Seed St. Louis in-person class at Bell Community Garden: Seed Saving & Plant Breeding 101. Register

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

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

For Kids 3-5 years of age. 7 Tickets remaining. May 13th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Conservation Kids- The Native Connection. Kids will help plant native milkweeds andf learn about native plants and insects. 9 am story time. 10 am milkweed activity & more. Register

2-6 pm May 14th Spring Plant Swap at LINC St. Charles County Community Center, 9 Love Park Lane, Wentzville MO

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

6:30 pm May 15th Heartland Conservancy event: Third Thursday Cycling Series, Illinois.  16 miles on St. Clair County Transit District trails. Register

7 pm May 15th St. Louis County Library Virtual Class: Houseplant Propagation 101. Register

3:30 pm May 16th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Outdoor Hazards- snakes, ticks, heat, and more. Learn how to prevent and reduce run-ins with outdoor hazards. Register

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.

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

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

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

4 pm 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

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.

3 pm May 23rd St. Louis County event at Clark Branch: Seed & Plant Swap. Register

8 am to 4 pm May 24th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

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

4 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am May 25th St. Louis Audubon Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

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

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

May 31st Urban Gardening Symposium at Brightside St. Louis Demonstration Garden. $10. 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.

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

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.

11 am June 14th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens May 17th

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.