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.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Rainbow Chard

Plant of the Week: Chard

April 15th Deadine to Nominate for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Invasive Plant Action Award

Register for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Callery (Bradford) Pear Buyback Program. Sold out already in St. Louis and Warrensburg. Fifteen cities still have replacement trees/shrubs. Also see Get rid of a stinky Bradford pear tree, get a free Missouri native tree (St. Louis Public Radio)

Seed St. Louis Raised Bed Plant Spacing Chart

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis 2025 Planting Calendar.
-> Start Indoors This Week: Basil, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatillo, Tomato
-> Transplant This Week: Perennials, Trees, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions
-> Sow Outdoors This Week: Beets, Bok Choy, Carrots, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Parsley, Peas, Radish, Spinach, Turnips

When to Plant in Illinois (University of Illinois Extension)

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: Olivette in Bloom Native Plant Sale, Webster Groves Garden Club Plant Sale, Seven Pines Garden Club Plant Sale, SWIC Annual Plant Sale at Belleville, 3 more St. Louis County Library Seed & Plant Swaps, City Greens Spring Patio Party Seed Swap, Flora Conservancy 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 —

DOGE cuts an effort to plant thousands of trees in St. Louis, citing anti-DEI push (St. Louis Public Radio)

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)

April is National Gardening Month. Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years. (University of Missouri Extension)

March Native Plant News (Wild Ones)

Tariffs threaten to upend markets that Missouri and Kansas farmers depend on: ‘Absolutely bad news’ (KCUR)

Invasive Plants. 1 out of 3 plants in Illinois woodlands, wetlands, and grasslands are non-native. (University of Illinois Extension)

7 non-toxic gardening swaps that will protect you and your plants from harmful chemicals – they’re all really affordable, too. It’s simple as choosing the right, durable materials to use in your yard (Homes & Gardens)

Prescribed Burns Were Banned 3 Decades Ago. Now, Cook County Is A Leader In Urban Burning. The Forest Preserves of Cook County burns thousands of acres every year. The program, which was once banned amid neighbors’ complaints, has grown in recent years thanks in part to additional voter-approved funding. (Block Club Chicago)

Forest Park Forever Team Plants Over 3,400 Plants in One Morning (Forest Park Forever)

Some Missouri communities are trying to end fluoridation in their water systems (St. Louis Public Radio) Many water systems in Missouri already do not have fluoridated water (Centers for Disease Control)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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.

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 —

For Gardeners & Farmers. Register for April University of Missouri Extension Summer Vegetable Crop Success Virtual Classes: April 8th Solanaceous Crops – Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant; April 10th Cucurbit Crops – Cucumber, Squash, Melon; April 15th Sweet Corn & Green Beans; April 17th Farmer Panel & USDA and Farm Business Resources 

Volunteers Wanted. Brightside St. Louis April Blitz events. Register your neighborhood clean up and/or beautification event and request bags/tools here.

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

Now thru April 25th, except Wednesdays and Sundays, St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: St. Louis Watercolor Society 25th Annual Juried Exhibition. Bound to be some gorgeous flowers and nature submissions.

Now thru April 30th St. Louis Public Library event at Schlafly Library: Art Exhibit- Pressed, we flower, recent abstract works by Sean Duvahl Semones

1 pm Sunday, April 6th, Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Container Gardening. $15. Register

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

16 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am Monday, April 7th, Missouri Conservation Department at Carondelet Park: 2 Mile Hike. Register

Monday, April 7th, Deadline to order native plants online from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up Saturday, April 12th, at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market

15 Tickets remaining. 4 pm Tuesday, April 8th, Missouri Conservation Department at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Flowering Trees Hike. Broken Ridge Trail, 2/3-mile, paved. Register

For kids ages 5-10 year. 4 pm Tuesday, April 8th, St. Louis Public Library event at Carondelet Library: Kids Crafts- Spoon Bugs, turn spoons into ladybugs, bees, and more

6:30 pm Tuesday, April 8th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Speaker Series at Old Bakery Beer, Alton, Illinois: Treehouse Wildlife Center. Register

9 am Wednesday, April 9th, Online Ordering Begins for May 2nd-3rd Shaw Nature Reserve Spring Wildflower Market

4 pm Wednesday, April 9th, Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom class: Fabulous Fish of Missouri’s Prairie Streams, presented by Darren Thornhill, Science Supervisor, Aquatic Diversity and Game Fish Unit, Missouri Conservation Department. Register

4-7 pm Thursday, April 10th, A Red Circle event: North St. Louis County Agricultural Education Center Open House

6 pm Thursday, April 10th, St. Louis County Library Plant Swap at Thornhill Branch

6 pm Thursday, April 10th, Theodora Farm class in Godfrey, Illinois: Sunshine & Soil- Gardening for Beginners Class. Register

6 pm Thursday, April 10th, St. Louis County Library event at Grant’s View Branch: Introduction to Landscape Design. Register

8 Seats remaining. 6:30 pm Thursday, April 10th, St. Charles City-County Library class at Spencer Road Branch: Companion Planting with Native Plants presented by Erin Gross, Coordinator for the Native Plant Initiative at Shaw Nature Reserve. Register

7 pm Thursday, April 10th, Illinois Libraries Present Zoom event: The Art of Foraging with Alexis Nikole Nelson. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, April 11th, Heartlands Conservancy event at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Volunteer Stewardship Day. Register

2 pm Friday, April 11th, St. Louis County Library event at Mid-County Branch, Clayton: Homesteading- Gardens for Small Spaces. Register

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

8 am to 4 pm Saturday, April 12th, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

Volunteers Wanted. 8:30 am Saturday, April 12nd, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club event at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Lincoln Shields Access: Leave No Trace Clean Up with Audubon in Riverlands, Open Space STL, Mississippi River Water Trail Association. Register

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

9:30 am Saturday, April 12th, Forest ReLeaf event at Julia Davis Library: Mini TreeKeepers Course. Register

10 am Saturday, April 12th, Grow Native! Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park Mo. $12 entry fee

10 am Saturday, April 12th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Hummingbirds 101- Creating Spaces for Natures Jewels. Register

11 am Saturday, April 12th, St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: For the Birds. Learn about planting beautiful, bird-friendly plants, and providing supplemental food, water, and shelter.

12 Seats remaining. 11 am Saturday, April 12th, St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register

1 pm Saturday, April 12th, St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Pest Control with Herbs. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 13th STL Urban Foresters event: Tower Grove East Neighborhood Tree Care Blitz. Register

10 am to 2 pm Sunday, April 13th, Riverlands Native Plant Festival at West Alton, Missouri: Speakers, workshops, native plant giveaway for attendees volunteering for sand prairie planting at event

11 am to 1 pm Sunday, April 13th, City Greens Market Free Annual Spring Patio Party in The Grove: Seed Swap, Chili Cook-Off, Worm Composting Workshop. Register

April 14th Deadline to order native plants online from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up Saturday, April 19th, at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market

5 pm April 14th Missouri Conservation Department Online Class: 2025 Swamp Needles Series. 12 Weeks, usually third Mondays. Learn to embroider species of conservation concern for 15 quilt blocks. You will need to supply your own embroidery hoop, fabric, needle, thread. Register

5:30-8 pm April 15th University City School District event at University City High School: Film Screening & Director Conversation- Farming While Black with Leah Penniman. Includes light supper. Register

9:45 am April 16th Missouri Sierra Club Lobby Day at Missouri State Capitol. Register

2 pm April 16th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Pollinator Powerhouses and Keystone Plant Species. Register

6 pm April 17th St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluff Branch, Florissant: Make It, Take It- Plant Pot. Register

6 pm April 17th St. Louis County Public Library Spring Gardening Swap at Prairie Commons Branch, Hazelwood. Bring plants, seeds, bulbs, gardening tools, gardening books to swap

11 am April 18th St. Louis Public Library event at Machacek Library: Book Discussion- Peter Wohlleben’s “The Hidden Life of Trees.”

9-11 am April 19th International Institute of St. Louis event at Tower Grove Park: Race for Refugees. Register

8 am to 4 pm April 19th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order onlineby previous Monday for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

9 am April 19th Heartlands Conservancy event at White Rock Nature Preserve, Valmeyer, Illinois: Spring Wildflower Walk. Register

1:30 pm April 19th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Mushroom Hunting. Register

Family friendly. 2-5 pm April 19th Tower Grove Park event: Tree Fest. Music, reading of The Lorax, crafts

3 pm April 19th Missouri Prairie Foundation’s Brews and Blooms at Civil Life Brewing.

April 21st Deadline to order native plants online from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up Saturday, April 26th, at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market

4 pm April 21st St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluffs Branch, Florissant: Pollinator Party. Register

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

Volunteers Wanted: 10 am April 22nd Forest ReLeaf event: Pop Up Potting at Scott Joplin House,  help pot up some baby trees. Register

4 pm April 23rd Grow Native! webinar: Wetlands for Native Bees. Register

6 pm April 23rd St. Louis County Library event at Rock Road Branch, St. Ann:
Spring Seed Bombs. Register

20 Tickets remaining. 1 pm April 24th Experience Art in Nature, Tour Saint Louis Art Museum’s Sculpture Garden with Simon Kelly. Event free but Register

April 24th, 25th, 26th Southwest Illinois College Horticulture Club’s Annual Plant Sale at Belleville Campus Greenhouses (waiting on link)

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

6 pm April 24th Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collective class at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good to Waste Series- Outdoor Composting: Bins and Tumblers. $15. Register

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

10:30 am April 25th St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: EcoTones Ensemble Concert, Cross-Pollinating Music & Nature

5 pm April 25th U City in Bloom Opening Night Party and Plant Sale. $25

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

April 25th & 26th Webster Groves Garden Club Plant Sale at Webster Groves Recreation Complex

8 am to 4 pm April 26th 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 1 pm April 26th Seven Pines Garden Club Plant Sale at Maryland Heights: annuals, perennials, vegetables

9 am until sold out April 26th Olivette in Bloom Native Plant Sale at Five Oaks on Warson

9 am to 1 pm Saturday and 11 am to 1 pm Sunday, April 26th-27th, U City in Bloom Pant Sale

10 am April 26th St. Louis County Library event at Daniel Boone Branch, Ellisville: Seed & Plant Swap

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am April 26th STL Urban Foresters event: Bevo Neighborhood Tree Care Blitz. Register

April 26th-27th Project Pollinator Native Plant Sale at Sachs Butterfly House, Chesterfield  

Noon to 3 pm April 26th Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale & Order Pick Up at Clinton Hills Conservation Park Pavilion, Swansea, Illinois. Online Pre-Ordering thru April 9th.

10 am to 4 pm April 26th Missouri River Bird Observatory Birds, Bees & Blooms Festival at Arrow Rock, Missouri. This is a 2 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis and a 1 1/2 hour drive from Kansas City.

9 am to 4 pm April 26th-27th Three Rivers Community Farm Plant Sale in Elsah, Illinois: native perennials, herbs, annual bedding plants, cutting flowers, veggie seedlings

10 am April 27th to 6 pm May 4th Missouri River Bird Observatory Fundraiser: Online Auction

Noon to 2 pm April 27th St. Charles County Master Gardener Plant Sale at Missouri University Extension, St. Peters

1:30 pm 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 April 29th Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois- Fence Picket Planter Workshop. $40 – all materials, tools, instruction included. Register

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

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

9 am to 4 pm May 3rd-4th Three Rivers Community Farm Plant Sale in Elsah, Illinois: native perennials, herbs, annual bedding plants, cutting flowers, veggie seedlings

11 am to 3 pm May 3rd Rustic Roots Sanctuary event at Spanish Lake: Spring Dandelion Festival

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

1 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Growing Herbs in Containers.

1 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library event at Buder Library: Meet the Pack- Animals of the Endangered Wolf Center. No live animals tho.

1-4 pm May 3rd Missouri Prairie Foundation Field Trip at Hillsboro, Jefferson County MO: Valley View Glades Natural Area Hike. Register

3 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library movie event at Central Library: Green City Life Film Showing & Project. More on the documentary

7-10 pm May 3rd St. Louis Astronomical Society event at Tower Grove Park: Stargazing

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

7 Seats remaining. 6:30 pm May 5th St. Louis Public Library cooking class at Cabanne Library: Make Your Own Fresh Spring Rolls. Register

May 8th-9th Jeanette Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Spring Plant Sale at Washington University

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.

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

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

8 am to 1 pm May 10th Flora Conservancy Plant Sale @ Greenhouse, Forest Park

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 St. Louis County Library event at Meramec Valley Branch, Fenton: Seed & Plant Swap. 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.

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

7 pm May 15th St. Louis County Library Virtual Class: Houseplant Propagation 101. 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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Asparagus stalks in glass of water in refrigerator

Plant of the Week: Asparagus

April 15th Deadine to Nominate for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Invasive Plant Action Award

Register for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Callery (Bradford) Pear Buyback Program in 17 cities. Also see Get rid of a stinky Bradford pear tree, get a free Missouri native tree (St. Louis Public Radio)

Seed St. Louis Raised Bed Plant Spacing Chart

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis 2025 Planting Calendar.
-> Start Indoors This Week: Basil, Peppers, Tomatillo, Tomato
-> Transplant This Week: Perennials, Trees, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions
-> Sow Outdoors This Week: Arugula, Beets, Bok Choy, Carrots, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Parsley, Peas, Spinach, Turnips

When to Plant in Illinois (University of Illinois Extension)

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: U City In Bloom Plant Sale, St. Charles County Master Gardeners Plant Sale, Three Rivers Farm Plant Sales (Elsah IL)

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 By Month: April Tips, Tasks, Problems (Missouri Botanical Garden)

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

Natural Egg Dyes (P. Allen Smith)

Pruning & Care of Shade Trees (University of Missouri Extension)

An alternative to the USDA organic label could be more accessible for farmers. Can it work? (St. Louis Public Radio)

Pesticide immunity bill advances from Iowa Senate. Opponents say it gives the ‘wolf the keys to the hen house’ (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Utah becomes the first state to ban adding fluoride to drinking water (Utah News Dispatch)

Unearthed: The Mining Issue. A series. The world needs massive amounts of critical minerals to power the transition to clean energy. But as countries and industries explore new mining opportunities, a major question looms: Can all of this extraction be done without the same environmental and human costs associated with fossil fuels? (The Grist)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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.

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 —

For Gardeners & Farmers. Register for April University of Missouri Extension Summer Vegetable Crop Success Virtual Classes: April 8th Solanaceous Crops – Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant; April 10th Cucurbit Crops – Cucumber, Squash, Melon; April 15th Sweet Corn & Green Beans; April 17th Farmer Panel & USDA and Farm Business Resources 

Volunteers Wanted. Brightside St. Louis April Blitz events. Register your neighborhood clean up and/or beautification event and request bags/tools here.

Now thru Monday, March 31st, Final Day for St. Louis Public Library photography exhibit at Schlafly Library: Gaucha Berlin’s In Bloom III, nature throughout the seasons, photos taken in the Benton Park Neighborhood

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

Monday, March 31st, to April 25th, except Wednesdays and Sundays, St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: St. Louis Watercolor Society 25th Annual Juried Exhibition. Bound to be some gorgeous flowers and nature submissions.

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Farmers Market: 8 am to 4 pm Saturdays,  April 5th, April 12th, April 19th, April 26th, May 31st, June 7th. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

1 pm Sunday, March 30th, Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Knowing & Growing the Native Garden. $15. Register

1-4:30 pm Sunday, March 30th, Wild & Scenic Film Festival at The Blue Note, Columbia MO

Monday Deadline, March 31st, to order native plants online from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up Saturday, April 5th, at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market

6:30 pm Tuesday, April 1st, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Virtual event: America’s Great Coal Catastrophe. Presented by Jared Sullivan, the author of Valley So Low. Also, learn about the connections between the TVA and Illinois coal mines. Register

7 pm Tuesday, April 1st, Left Bank Books author event at Hi Pointe Theater: Sarah Kendzior, “The Last American Road Trip,” with Jason Rosenbaum, St. Louis Public Radio. Register

2 pm Wednesday, April 2nd, Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Transforming Vacant Lots into Neighborhood Greenspaces. Register

7 pm Wednesday, April 2nd, St. Louis County Library and Left Bank Books author event at Clark Family Branch: Paleontologist and Science Writer Riley Black, “When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution’s Greatest Romance.” Register

6 pm Thursday, April 3rd, Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Composting Series- Indoor Compostin- Vermicomposting and Bokashi. $15. Register

6:30 pm Thursday, April 3rd, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Native Plants- Missouri’s Spring Blooms (Kansas City focus). Register

9 am to 3 pm Friday, April 4th, Missouri Botanical Garden Arbor Day Native Tree Seedling Giveaway. Garden Admission required.

10:30 am Friday, April 4th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Wildflower ID. Register

8 am to 4 pm Saturday, April 5th, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online by Monday for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

8 am Saturday, April 5th, St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

9 am Saturday, April 5th, Seed St. Louis Spring Seedling Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell: bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, misome

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Saturday, April 5th, Forest ReLeaf event at Old St. Marcus Cemetery: Christy Greenway Tree Planting. Register

10 am Saturday, April 5th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Spring Arboretum Trolley Tour with horticulturist guide. $5. Register

10 am Saturday, April 5th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Springtime History & Horticulture Walking Tou with master guide. Register

10:30 am Saturday, April 5th, Seed St. Louis workshop at Bell Garden, 3841 Bell: Community Engagement for the School Garden. Register

14 Tickets remaining. Noon Saturday, April 5th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: Spring Ephemeral Hike with a naturalist. Hickory Ridge trail on the long loop, 1.25 miles. Register

7 pm Saturday, April 5th, Stargazing at Tower Grove Park with St. Louis Astronomical Society

1 pm Sunday, April 6th, Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Container Gardening. $15. Register

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

20 Tickets remaining. 8:30 am April 7th Missouri Conservation Department at Carondelet Park: 2 Mile Hike. Register

April 7th Deadline to order native plants online from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up Saturday, April 12th, at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market

17 Tickets remaining. 4 pm April 8th Missouri Conservation Department at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Flowering Trees Hike. Broken Ridge Trail, 2/3-mile, paved. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 10th Heartland Conservancy event at Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

6 pm April 10th St. Louis County Library Plant Swap at Thornhill Branch

6 pm April 10th St. Louis County Library event at Grant’s View Branch: Introduction to Landscape Design. Register

2 pm April 11th St. Louis County Library event at Mid-County Branch, Clayton: Homesteading- Gardens for Small Spaces. Register

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

8 am to 4 pm April 12th 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 April 12th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual class: Learning to Hunt- Wild Edibles presented by Bo Brown. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 12th Forest ReLeaf event at CommuniTree Gardens Nursery, Maryland Heights: March Open Nursery Potting Day. Help pot up 20,000 bare root tree seedlings. Register

10 am April 12th Grow Native! Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park Mo. $12 entry fee

10 am April 12th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Hummingbirds 101- Creating Spaces for Natures Jewels. Register

11 am April 12th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: For the Birds. Learn about planting beautiful, bird-friendly plants, and providing supplemental food, water, and shelter.

16 Seats remaining. 11 am April 12th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register

1 pm April 12th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Pest Control with Herbs. Register

10 am to 2 pm April 13th Riverlands Native Plant Festival at West Alton, Missouri: Speakers, workshops, native plant giveaway for attendees volunteering for sand prairie planting at event

April 14th Deadline to order native plants online from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up Saturday, April 19th, at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market

5 pm April 14th Missouri Conservation Department Online Class: 2025 Swamp Needles Series. 12 Weeks, usually third Mondays. Learn to embroider species of conservation concern for 15 quilt blocks. You will need to supply your own embroidery hoop, fabric, needle, thread. Register

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

2 pm April 16th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Pollinator Powerhouses and Keystone Plant Species. Register

6 pm April 17th St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluff Branch, Florissant: Make It, Take It- Plant Pot. Register

6 pm April 17th St. Louis County Public Library Spring Gardening Swap at Prairie Commons Branch, Hazelwood. Bring plants, seeds, bulbs, gardening tools, gardening books to swap

5 Tickets remaining. 6 pm April 17th Missouri Conservation Department Class at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Register

8 am to 4 pm April 19th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order onlineby previous Monday for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

For Ages 3-6 years. 10 am April 19th St. Louis County Library event at Grand Glaize Branch, Manchester: Preschool STEAM- Plants and Flowers. Dress for the mess. Register

1:30 pm April 19th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Mushroom Hunting. Register

2 pm April 19th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Camping 101 with River City Outdoors. Register

April 21st Deadline to order native plants online from Missouri Wildflowers Nursery for pick up Saturday, April 26th, at Kirkwood Farmer’s Market

4 pm April 21st St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluffs Branch, Florissant: Pollinator Party. Register

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

6 pm April 23rd St. Louis County Library event at Rock Road Branch, St. Ann:
Spring Seed Bombs. Register

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

6 pm April 24th Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collective class at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good to Waste Series- Outdoor Composting: Bins and Tumblers. $15. Register

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

5 pm April 25th U City in Bloom Opening Night Party and Plant Sale. $25

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

8 am to 4 pm April 26th 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 1 pm Saturday and 11 am to 1 pm Sunday, April 26th-27th, U City in Bloom Pant Sale

10 am April 26th St. Louis County Library event at Daniel Boone Branch, Ellisville: Seed & Plant Swap

April 26th-27th Project Pollinator Native Plant Sale at Sachs Butterfly House, Chesterfield  

Noon to 3 pm April 26th Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale & Order Pick Up at Clinton Hills Conservation Park Pavilion, Swansea, Illinois. Online Pre-Ordering March 20th to April 9th.

10 am to 4 pm April 26th Missouri River Bird Observatory Birds, Bees & Blooms Festival at Arrow Rock, Missouri. This is a 2 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis and a 1 1/2 hour drive from Kansas City.

9 am to 4 pm April 26th-27th Three Rivers Community Farm Plant Sale in Elsah, Illinois: native perennials, herbs, annual bedding plants, cutting flowers, veggie seedlings

Noon to 2 pm April 27th St. Charles County Master Gardener Plant Sale at Missouri University Extension, St. Peters

1:30 pm 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

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

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

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

1 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Growing Herbs in Containers.

9 am to 4 pm May 3rd-4th Three Rivers Community Farm Plant Sale in Elsah, Illinois: native perennials, herbs, annual bedding plants, cutting flowers, veggie seedlings

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

May 8th-9th Jeanette Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Spring Plant Sale at Washington University

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.

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

May 10th Flora Conservancy Plant Sale @ Greenhouse, Forest Park – no link yet

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Cream color with raspberry splotches Hellebore flowering at Springfield Botanical Gardens, Missouri

Plant of the Week: Hellebores

April 25th Deadline to Register community cleaning or greening Blitz Projects with Brightside St. Louis and get free Blitz Blooms annuals to plant in public spaces.

Seed St. Louis Raised Bed Plant Spacing Chart

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis 2025 Planting Calendar.
-> Start Indoors This Week: Basil, Peppers
-> Transplant This Week: Perennials, Trees, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions
-> Sow Outdoors This Week: Arugula, Beets, Bok Choy, Carrots, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Parsley, Peas, Spinach, Turnips

When to Plant in Illinois (University of Illinois Extension)

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: Flyleaf Market monthly pop up Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale, Illinois Native Plant Society’s Native Plant Sale at Illinois State Fairgrounds,

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.

March 17th Registration Opens for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Callery (Bradford) Pear Buyback Program in 17 cities

April 15th Deadine to Nominate for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Invasive Plant Action Award

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

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

Native Plants for Urban Balconies (Wild Ones)

Home Gardening 101: Experts share tips for St. Louis growers (St. Louis Public Radio)

EarthDance Organic Farm School’s Jess Coffin shares gardening insights (St. Louis Magazine)

Photos: Across the U.S., sky gazers marvel at the blood moon lunar eclipse (NPR)

First national analysis finds America’s butterflies are disappearing at ‘catastrophic’ rate (Phys.org)

Bill repealing Missouri law limiting utility charges heads to Gov. Mike Kehoe. The measure overturning a 1976 initiative banning charges for construction work in progress on new power plants is the third bill approved by lawmakers this year. (Missouri Independent)

Ameren Missouri makes long-term plans to build new nuclear power plant (Missouri Independent)

Iowa peregrine falcons saw ‘above average’ reproduction in 2024 (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

‘Stonewalling’: Forest Service mum on firings during wildfire briefing for congressional staff. Documents show window closing for prescribed burns this spring. (Source NM)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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.

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 —

Volunteers Wanted. Brightside St. Louis March Blitz events. Register your neighborhood clean up and/or beautification event and request bags/tools here.

Now thru March 31st St. Louis Public Library photography exhibit at Schlafly Library: Gaucha Berlin’s In Bloom III, nature throughout the seasons, photos taken in the Benton Park Neighborhood

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

March 31st to April 25th, except Wednesdays and Sundays, St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: St. Louis Watercolor Society 25th Annual Juried Exhibition. Bound to be some gorgeous flowers and nature submissions.

1 pm Sunday, March 16th, Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Urban Gardening. $15. Register

Monday, March 17th, Registration Opens for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Callery (Bradford) Pear Buyback Program in 17 cities

6:30 pm Monday, March 17th, Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Missouri Water Policy- history and current legislation presented by Mary Culler, Missouri Stream Teams United. Register

10 am Wednesday, March 19th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5. Register

2 pm Wednesday, March 19th, Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Monarchs and Mosquitoes – Control the Pests, Protect the Pollinators. Register

Thursday, March 20th: Pre-ordering begins for April 26th Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale & Order Pick Up at Clinton Hills Conservation Park Pavilion, Swansea, Illinois.

2 pm Thursday, March 20th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Emmenegger Nature Park, Kirkwood: First Day of Spring Hike, two miles on Bluff Creek Trail. Register

5 pm Thursday, March 20th, St. Louis Public Library event at Julia Davis Library: Sowing Seeds of Justice, presented by Jennings farmer Julia Thompson. Learn about urban homesteading with an emphasis on chickens.

6 pm Thursday, March 20th, Wild Ones National Panel Discussion: The Advocacy Power of Public Native Gardens. Register

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

3:30 pm Friday, March 21st, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Plant This, Not That! Learn about great native plants and plants harmful to Missouri wildlife and ecosystems. Register

Saturday, March 22nd, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Fox Trot 5K and Kit Crawl 10K Run/Walk Fundraiser. Register

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

6 Tickets remaining. 12:30 pm Saturday, March 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department class at Power Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood: Introduction to Archery. Register

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

1 pm Saturday, March 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Non-Native Invasive Species. Register

6:30 pm March 24th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act- history, applications, and current status presented by Sarah Kendrick, US Fish & Wildlife Service. Register

4 pm March 25th Grow Native! webinar: Native Cool-Season Grasses & Sedges for Landscaping, Forage, and Wildlife Benefits. Register

6 pm March 26th St. Louis County Library event at Daniel Boone Branch, Ellisville: Mad About Mushrooms, presented by St. Louis Herb Society. Learn about harvesting, cooking, and preserving mushrooms. Register

5 pm Thursday, March 27th St. Louis Public Library event at Julia Davis Library: Sowing Seeds of Justice, presented by Jennings farmer Julia Thompson. Learn about urban homesteading with an emphasis on chickens.

9 Seats remaining. Family-friendly. 6 pm March 27th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Fishing Lesson 1- Equipment, Casting, & Proper Fish Handling. Gear provided. Register

1 pm March 28th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual class: Hummingbirds of Missouri. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 29th Forest ReLeaf event at CommuniTree Gardens Nursery, Maryland Heights: March Open Nursery Potting Day. Help pot up 20,000 bare root tree seedlings. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 29th Sierra Club Eastern Missouri Service Day (Trash Pick Up) on Centennial Greenway, Olive to Shaw Park, St. Louis County. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 29th Heartland Conservancy Stewardship Day (honeysuckle removal) at Trout Hollow Hill Prairie, Monroe County/Waterloo Area, Illinois. Register

7 pm March 29th Heartlands Conservancy event at Poag Sand Prairie, Edwardsville, Illinois: Frog Walk. Register

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

1 pm March 30th Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Knowing & Growing the Native Garden. $15. Register

1-4:30 pm March 30th Wild & Scenic Film Festival at The Blue Note, Columbia MO

2 pm April 2nd Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Transforming Vacant Lots into Neighborhood Greenspaces. Register

7 pm April 2nd St. Louis County Library and Left Bank Books author event at Clark Family Branch: Paleontologist and Science Writer Riley Black, “When the Earth Was Green: Plants, Animals, and Evolution’s Greatest Romance.” Register

6 pm April 3rd Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Composting Series- Indoor Compostin- Vermicomposting and Bokashi. $15. Register

9 am to 3 pm April 4th Missouri Botanical Garden Arbor Day Native Tree Seedling Giveaway. Garden Admission required.

8 am to 4 pm April 5th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

8 am April 5th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

9 am April 5th Seed St. Louis Spring Seedling Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell: bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, lettuce

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 5th Forest ReLeaf event at Old St. Marcus Cemetery: Christy Greenway Tree Planting. Register

10:30 am April 5th Seed St. Louis workshop at Bell Garden, 3841 Bell: Community Engagement for the School Garden. Register

1 pm April 6th Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Composting Series- Container Gardening. $15. Register

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

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 10th Heartland Conservancy event at Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

6 pm April 10th St. Louis County Library Plant Swap at Thornhill Branch

6 pm April 10th St. Louis County Library event at Grant’s View Branch: Introduction to Landscape Design. Register

2 pm April 11th St. Louis County Library event at Mid-County Branch, Clayton: Homesteading- Gardens for Small Spaces. Register

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

8 am to 4 pm April 12th 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 April 12th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual class: Learning to Hunt- Wild Edibles presented by Bo Brown. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 12th Forest ReLeaf event at CommuniTree Gardens Nursery, Maryland Heights: March Open Nursery Potting Day. Help pot up 20,000 bare root tree seedlings. Register

10 am April 12th Grow Native! Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park Mo. $12 entry fee

11 am April 12th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: For the Birds. Learn about planting beautiful, bird-friendly plants, and providing supplemental food, water, and shelter.

1 pm April 12th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Pest Control with Herbs. Register

10 am to 2 pm April 13th Riverlands Native Plant Festival at West Alton, Missouri: Speakers, workshops, native plant giveaway for attendees volunteering for sand prairie planting at event

6 pm April 17th St. Louis County Public Library Spring Gardening Swap at Prairie Commons Branch, Hazelwood. Bring plants, seeds, bulbs, gardening tools, gardening books to swap

8 am to 4 pm April 19th 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 Noon April 22nd Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

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

2 pm April 16th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Pollinator Powerhouses and Keystone Plant Species. Register

6 pm April 17th St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluff Branch, Florissant: Make It, Take It- Plant Pot. Register

For Ages 3-6 years. 10 am April 19th St. Louis County Library event at Grand Glaize Branch, Manchester: Preschool STEAM- Plants and Flowers. Dress for the mess. Register

4 pm April 21st St. Louis County Library event at Jamestown Bluffs Branch, Florissant: Pollinator Party. Register

6 pm April 23rd St. Louis County Library event at Rock Road Branch, St. Ann:
Spring Seed Bombs. Register

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

6 pm April 24th Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collective class at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good to Waste Series- Outdoor Composting: Bins and Tumblers. $15. Register

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

8 am to 4 pm April 26th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

10 am April 26th St. Louis County Library event at Daniel Boone Branch, Ellisville: Seed & Plant Swap

April 26th-27th Project Pollinator Native Plant Sale at Sachs Butterfly House, Chesterfield  

Noon to 3 pm April 26th Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale & Order Pick Up at Clinton Hills Conservation Park Pavilion, Swansea, Illinois. Online Pre-Ordering March 20th to April 9th.

10 am to 4 pm April 26th Missouri River Bird Observatory Birds, Bees & Blooms Festival at Arrow Rock, Missouri. This is a 2 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis and a 1 1/2 hour drive from Kansas City.

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

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

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

1 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Growing Herbs in Containers.

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

May 8th-9th Jeanette Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Spring Plant Sale at Washington University

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.

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

May 10th Flora Conservancy Plant Sale @ Greenhouse, Forest Park – no link yet

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

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.

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

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

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

9 am 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.

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

Englemann Prickly Pear

Plant of the Week: Prickly Pear Cactus. This is a photo of an Englemann Prickly Pear in Zion National Park, Utah. Eastern Prickly Pear is native to Missouri and most U.S. states as well as Ontario, Canada.

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

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis 2025 Planting Calendar. Start Indoors This Week: Boy Choy, Eggplant, Lettuce

When to Plant in Illinois (University of Illinois Extension)

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: Plant Sale at Washington University, Grow Native! Plant Sale at Wild Bird Sanctuary, placeholder for Flora Conservancy Plant Sale 

Sign up for Missouri Coalition for the Environment’s Legislative Bill Tracker

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

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

March 17th Registration Opens for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Callery (Bradford) Pear Buyback Program in 17 cities

April 15th Deadine to Nominate for Missouri Invasive Plant Council’s Invasive Plant Action Award

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

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

‘Moss Appreciation Week’: a lot of celebration for a very little plant (NPR)

What Groundhogs Know About Seasonal Gardening That You Don’t (Wild Ones)

2023 Broccoli Variety Trial Results (Seed St. Louis)

Interest in ‘backyard chickens’ spikes in St. Louis area amid egg shortage, price hikes. Expert say, however, it likely isn’t a cost-effective way to combat rising prices at the grocery store. (KMOV, St. Louis)

Missouri’s grocery shelves feel impact of bird flu. Egg prices are expected to increase by 20% in 2025, largely due to the spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza. (The Beacon, Kansas City)

Missouri House bill would tax ag land used for renewable energy (Columbia Missourian)

Arkansas’ Buffalo River watershed squabble a ‘long, hard battle,’ advocate says (Arkansas Advocate)

Study shows ash disposal at Iowa coal plants leads to contaminated groundwater. Environmental groups push for the closure of coal plants; MidAmerican disputes findings (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Kentucky Senate approves bill removing state protections for wetlands, groundwater, small streams (Kentucky Lantern)

Missouri soybean research project shuts down as Trump cuts off funding. As part of the project, Missouri has been doing research on ways to help farmers combat diseases that can decimate soybean crops (Missouri Independent)

University of Illinois soybean lab’s pending closure due to USAID cuts hinders global disease research. Lab was part of network studying red leaf blotch, which could potentially decimate the crop (Capital News Illinois)

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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.

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 —

Now thru February 28th Photo Exhibit at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood:  Rugged Spirit, Photographs of Scott Lawrence Angus

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

6-8 pm Wednesdays, February 26th-April 2rd, Forest ReLeaf’s TreeKeepers Introductory Tree Course 2025. Register

6-8 pm Tuesdays, March 11 to April 15, Heartlands Conservancy free six-week course in Belleville, Illinois: Tree Stewards Training. Classes in Tree Biology & Benefits, Tree Identification, Insects & Diseases, Pruning & Maintenance, Forest Ecology, Urban Tree Community Advocacy. Register

6:30 pm Monday, February 17th, Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Everything’s Connected- A closer look at the importance of predators and scavengers in their ecosystems presented by Jennifer Rader, Kansas Department of Parks and Wildlife. Register

2 pm Wednesday, February 19th, Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Front Yard Raingardens. Register

2 pm Thursday, February 20th, St. Louis County Library Black History Month event at Meramec Valley Branch: Fannie Lou Hamer: Seeds of Change. Learn about Fannie Lou Hamer and her work for food justice and start some seeds for your garden. Register

6 pm Thursday, February 20th, Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collective class at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good to Waste Series- Eating Away at Food Waste. $15. Register

6 pm Thursday, February 20th, Wild Ones virtual event: Bees Beyond Honey- Understanding Native and Managed Pollinators. Register

6:30 pm Thursday, February 20th, Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Identifying Tracks in the Snow. Register

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

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, February 21st, Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Belleville, Illinois: Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Stewardship Day. Register

23 Tickets remaining. 1 pm Friday, February 21st, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Dragonflies in Missouri. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Saturday, February 22nd Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Edwardsville, Illinois: Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Stewardship Day. Register

15 Tickets remaining. 9 am Saturday, February 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department event at Dresser Island Conservation Area, West Alton, Missouri: Dresser Island Hike. Register

26 Seats remaining. 10 am Saturday, February 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department event Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Backyard Birds. Register

1 pm Sunday, February 23rd, Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Rainscaping. $15. Register

6:30 pm February 24th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Plastics, Petrochemicals, and Communities on the Frontlines presented by Shiv Srivastana, Fenceline Watch. Register

February 26-28 Missouri Community Forestry Council’s ISA Certified Arborist Exam Preparation Class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood. $75. Register

9:30 am to 2 pm February 26th Missouri Coalition for the Environment Advocacy Day in Jefferson City. Register

11 am February 26th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Owls of Missouri. Register

4 pm February 26th Missouri Prairie Foundation webinar: Horizon II- One Part Wildlife, One Part Ecosystem Services, and One Part Renewable Energy. Register

6:30 pm February 26th Mid-Continent Library Kansas City Zoom class: Sap to Syrup. Learn the basics of tree selection, collection, and processing as the equipment needed to turn watery sap into delicious syrup. Register 

6 pm February 27th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class:  Mighty Aquatic Macroinvertebrates of Missouri. Register

6 pm February 28th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Nature at Night, How Lights Affect Ecosystems. Register

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

9 am to Noon March 1st Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Annual Garage Sale

10 am March 1st Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Reflections vs Reality- Mitigating Bird Collisions. Learn why window collisions happen, the best strategies to prevent them. Register

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

3 pm March 1st St. Louis County Library event at Thornhill Branch: Grow Together: Gardening Tips & Techniques

9 Seats remaining. 5 pm March 3rd St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Worms at Work & DIY Composting Bins. Supplies provided. Register

6:30 pm March 3rd Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Effects of Oil Spills on Birds presented by Ben West, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Register

1:30 pm March 4th University of Illinois Extension webinar: Root Awakening- Spring Tree Tips. Register

March 5th University of Illinois Extension’s Gateway Green Conference at Collinsville, Illinois: Building Sustainable Landscapes, Conservation Stewardship, Tree Care. Fee applies.

9 am March 5th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Spring Bulb Walk with horticulturist. $5. Register

10 am March 5th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: History & Horticulture Trolley Tour with Master Guide. $5. Register

12:30 pm March 5th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Rain Gardens and Native Plants. Register

2 pm March 5th St. Louis County Library Virtual Workshop: Native Garden Design Panel Discussion. Register

2 pm March 5th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Native Garden Design Panel Discussion. Register

March 7th-8th Midwestern Herb & Garden Show in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Plant & Merch Sales, Speakers/Workshops. 1 1/2 hour from St. Louis.

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

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 8th Great Rivers Greenway North Riverfront Park Mulching Day. Register

3:30 pm March 7th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Native Plants- Wild for Seeds. Naturalist Jordi Raos will discuss some important factors for success when it comes to native plants and seeds. Register

Noon to 2 pm March 8th Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Seed Swap at Hayner Public Library, Alton, Illinois. Bring your quality seeds, seedlings, cuttings, and bulbs to swap with fellow farmers and gardeners. Nothing to swap, not a problem.

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

6:30 pm March 10th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Plastics and Public Health: the unsettling latest in medical research presented by Megan Wolff, Beyond Plastics. Register

1- 4 pm March 11th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum horticulture class: Formal and Natural Garden Design Class. Register

9 am March 12th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum event: Spring Bulb Walk with horticulturist. $5. Register

5-7 pm March 12th Seed St. Louis Young Friends Happy Hour at 2nd Shift Brewing, The Hill

6 pm March 12th St. Louis Public Library event at Carpenter Library:  Welcoming Native Species into Your Garden. Registration opens 10 am February 12th.

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 13th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event in Edwardsville, Illinois: Poag Sand Prairie Restoration Stewardship Day. Register

Noon March 13th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Organic Gardening. Register

6 pm March 13th Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collectiveclass at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good To Waste Series- Composting 101. $15. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 14th Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Clinton Hills Conservation Park, Swansea, Illinois: Exploration Garden Stewardship Day. Register

7 pm March 14th Heartlands Conservancy Full Moon Hike at Bohm Woods State Nature Preserve in Edwardsville, Illinois. Register

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

1 pm March 16th Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Urban Gardening. $15. Register

6:30 pm March 17th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: Missouri Water Policy- history and current legislation presented by Mary Culler, Missouri Stream Teams United. Register

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

2 pm March 19th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Monarchs and Mosquitoes – Control the Pests, Protect the Pollinators. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 21st Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Belleville, Illinois: Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Stewardship Day. Register

March 22nd Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Fox Trot 5K and Kit Crawl 10K Run/Walk Fundraiser. Register

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

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 22nd Heartlands Conservancy volunteer event at Pontoon Beach, Illinois: Arlington Wetlands Volunteer Stewardship Day. Register

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

6:30 pm March 24th Missouri River Bird Observatory webinar: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act- history, applications, and current status presented by Sarah Kendrick, US Fish & Wildlife Service. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am March 29th Forest ReLeaf event at CommuniTree Gardens Nursery, Maryland Heights: March Open Nursery Potting Day. Help pot up 20,000 bare root tree seedlings. Register

1 pm March 30th Willoughby Farm event in Collinsville, Illinois: Sustainability Series- Knowing & Growing the Native Garden. $15. Register

1-4:30 pm March 30th Wild & Scenic Film Festival at The Blue Note, Columbia MO

2 pm April 2nd Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Transforming Vacant Lots into Neighborhood Greenspaces. Register

8 am to 4 pm April 5th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery returns to Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

9 am April 5th Seed St. Louis Spring Seedling Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 5th Forest ReLeaf event at Old St. Marcus Cemetery: Christy Greenway Tree Planting. Register

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

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

8 am to 4 pm April 12th 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 April 12th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual class: Learning to Hunt- Wild Edibles presented by Bo Brown. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am April 12th Forest ReLeaf event at CommuniTree Gardens Nursery, Maryland Heights: March Open Nursery Potting Day. Help pot up 20,000 bare root tree seedlings. Register

10 am April 12th Grow Native! Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park Mo. $12 entry fee

11 am April 12th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: For the Birds. Learn about planting beautiful, bird-friendly plants, and providing supplemental food, water, and shelter.

1 pm April 12th St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Pest Control with Herbs. Register

10 am to 2 pm April 13th Riverlands Native Plant Festival at West Alton, Missouri: Speakers, workshops, native plant giveaway for attendees volunteering for sand prairie planting at event

8 am to 4 pm April 19th 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 Noon April 22nd Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission Free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Saturday and Wednesday morning, otherwise Admission Fee applies.

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

2 pm April 16th Partners for Native Landscaping and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Pollinator Powerhouses and Keystone Plant Species. Register

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

6 pm April 24th Seed St. Louis, Table to Garden, Willoughby Farm and Good Dirt Composting Collective class at Collinsville, Illinois:  Food Too Good to Waste Series- Outdoor Composting: Bins and Tumblers. $15. Register

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

8 am to 4 pm April 26th Missouri Wildflowers Nursery selling at Kirkwood Farmers Market. Order online for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

April 26th Heartlands Conservancy Native Plant Sale

10 am to 4 pm April 26th Missouri River Bird Observatory Birds, Bees & Blooms Festival at Arrow Rock, Missouri. This is a 2 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis and a 1 1/2 hour drive from Kansas City.

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

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

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

1 pm May 3rd St. Louis Public Library class at Central Library: Growing Herbs in Containers.

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

May 8th-9th Jeanette Goldfarb Plant Growth Facility Spring Plant Sale at Washington University

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.

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

May 10th Flora Conservancy Plant Sale @ Greenhouse, Forest Park – no link yet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 for pick up at Market or purchase from what they bring that day.

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.

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

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

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

9 am 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Grow Native Professional Certification Program

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

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

Good Reads/Listens —

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

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 30th Greater St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour

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

August 10th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 5th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Alliums

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

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

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

Grow Native Professional Certification Program

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

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

Good Reads —

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

May Gardening Tips from University of Missouri Extension

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

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 30th Greater St. Louis Sustainable Backyard Tour

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

August 10th Seed St. Louis Fall Seedling Sale

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 5th Seed St. Louis Garlic Sale

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Red Yarrow Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' 

This week in the garden: Transplant- Basil, Melons, Peppers, Parsley, Tomatoes. Seed Outdoors- Basil, Cucumbers, Melons, Squash Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Plant of the Week: Red Yarrow Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’ 

Sign up for Gardening for Wildlife newsletter to enter Garden for Wildlife’s Wildlife Garden drawing

Gardening by Month – May – Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems from Missouri Botanical Garden

Just looking for Saturday’s St. Louis Region Plant Sales List, May 13th? Seed St. Louis Veggie Plant Sale. Plant America Garden Expo at O’Fallon Civic Park. Metro STL African Violet Council Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at World Bird Sanctuary.

9 am Tuesday and Thursday Volunteers Wanted for Plant It Forward at Tower Grove Park. Help the Horticulture Team maintain the beautiful flower beds

Saturday-Sunday Volunteers wanted for Brightside St. Louis Blitz Next Weekend, May 13-14: Clean Ups and beautification on Gano in Fairground Park, Newstead & Cote Brilliant in The Ville, Theodosia in Wells Goodfellow, West Belle in Vandeventer, Frank Williamson Park in West End, Fair Ave in O’Falllon, Robin in Walnut Park East, N 20th in College Hill

Shade Gardening Ideas
From Grow Native Missouri: Shady Haven with Native Plants
Missouri Botanical Garden: Plants for Dry Shade Gardens and Plants for Heavy Shade

10 Easy to Grow Spring Edible Native Plants class on Missouri Prairie Foundation YouTube

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

———-

10 am Tuesday, May 9th Trolley Tour @ Bellefontaine Cemetery Two-hour trolley tour led by a Master Guide sharing horticulture and arboretum highlights Tickets $5. Register

4 pm Wednesday, May 10th Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Class: Invasive Plant ID and Control Methods. Register

2 pm Friday, May 12th Arboretum Walking Tour at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Horticulturist led walk. Register

10 am Saturday St. Louis Audubon Society Bird Walk at Gaddy Wild Bird Garden at Tower Grove Park & Social at 2nd Shift Brewing on The Hill. Tickets $20. Register

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

9 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 13th Plant America Garden Expo at O’Fallon Civic Park

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

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

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

10:30 am Saturday, May 13th Missouri Conservation Department Online Class: Wildflower Identification. Register

10:30 am Saturday, May 13th Tower Grove Park Event: Puppet Show with The Greenhouse Venture & Blaque Berry Puppets– “Growing Powers and the Secret of the Soil”

5 pm May 16th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Event: The Sights & Sounds of Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Register

Noon May 17th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Event: Native Plants with Famous Cousins. Register

6 pm May 18th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Garden Holistic Pest and Disease Control. Register

2 pm May 19th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Event for Parent & Child (7+ years) @ Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Watercolor Experience- Butterflies in Spring! Supplies provided. 10 Seats remaining. Register

3 pm May 19th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Event: Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri. Register

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

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

1 pm May 20th St. Louis Public Library In Person Class @ Buder Library, St. Louis Hills: City Tree Care

2 pm May 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Event: Creature Feature: Rough Greensnake. Register

6 pm May 23rd St. Louis Public Library & Missouri Conservation Dept. In Person Class @ Carpenter Library, Tower Grove South: Winged Wonders- Beginner Birding

6 pm May 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Event: Introduction to Urban Fishing in St. Louis. Register

6 pm May 23rd Missouri Conservation Department In Person Event at Carpenter Library: Birds- Winged Wonders

7 pm May 24th Tower Grove Park event: Flower Power After Hours. Tickets $50

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

1-5 pm May 29th Solidarity Economy STL‘s Black Farm Tour

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

3 pm June 3rd Tour of Art Hill Gardens, Forest Park. Register

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Eastern Red Columbine, April 2023, Pomme de Terre Lake, Hickory County, Missouri.

Sign up for Gardening for Wildlife newsletter to enter Garden for Wildlife’s Wildlife Garden drawing

Plant of the Week: Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

This week in the garden: Transplant- Basil, Melons, Parsley. Seed Outdoors- Basil, Cucumbers, Melons, Squash Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Gardening by Month – May – Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems from Missouri Botanical Garden

Just looking for this weekend’s St. Louis Region Plant Sales List, May 6th-7th? Franklin County Master Gardeners, Webster Groves Women’s Garden Assn, Wildflower Market @ Shaw Nature Reserve, Tower Grove East Community Garden, West County Daylily Club @ Missouri Botanical Garden

Saturday-Sunday Volunteers wanted for Brightside St. Louis Blitz Next Weekend, May 6-7: Clean Ups and beautification on Gano Ave and in McKinley Heights, Old North, Patch Neighborhoods

Shade Gardening Ideas
From Grow Native Missouri: Shady Haven with Native Plants
Missouri Botanical Garden: Plants for Dry Shade Gardens and Plants for Heavy Shade

10 Easy to Grow Spring Edible Native Plants class on Missouri Prairie Foundation YouTube

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

———-

10 am Tuesday, May 2nd Bellefontaine in Bloom at Bellefontaine Cemetery. 2 Hour walking tour with master guide. Register

5 pm Tuesday, May 2nd Missouri Conservation Department Online Program: Discover Nature- The Sights & Sounds of Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Register

10:30 am Wednesday, May 3rd Missouri Conservation Department Online Class: Butterfly Survey Training for Missouri Butterfly Monitoring Network training, Kansas City area. Register

5 pm Thursday, May 4th Horticulture Hike @ Wildwood Valley Gardens, Bellefontaine Cemetery. Register

6 pm Thursday, May 4th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Summer Crops & Cover Crops. Register

7 pm Friday, May 5th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood: Concert by John Nilsen. Register

Saturday, May 6th is World Naked Gardening Day. Pro Tips: 8 ways to celebrate this “cheeky occasion”

6:30 am to 3 pm Saturday, May 6th Kids Free Fishing Day @ Bennett Spring State Park, Dallas & Laclede Counties

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

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

9 am to 1 pm Saturday, May 6th Nature in Your Neighborhood Family Fun Day @ O’Fallon Park. Sponsored by Missouri Conservation Department, Young Friends of earthday365, North Newstead Assn, YMCA.

May 6th-7th Saturday-Sunday Tower Grove East Community Garden Plant Sale, 3303 Sidney

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

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

4 pm May 10th Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Class: Invasive Plant ID and Control Methods. Register

10:30 am May 13th Missouri Conservation Department Online Class: Wildflower Identification. Register

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

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

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

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

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

1 pm May 20th St. Louis Public Library In Person Class @ Buder Library, St. Louis Hills: City Tree Care

6 pm May 23rd St. Louis Public Library & Missouri Conservation Dept. In Person Class @ Carpenter Library, Tower Grove South: Winged Wonders- Beginner Birding

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

This Week In Gardening & Nature

Rose Verbena 2023

Plant of the Week: Rose Verbena, a native, pretty, water-wise, pollinator magnet that thrives in crappy soil. Highly recommend.

This week in the garden: Sow Outdoors- beans, corn. Sow Indoors: melons, squash. Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

10 Easy to Grow Spring Edible Native Plants class on Missouri Prairie Foundation YouTube

Need to buy a new clothes washer, clothes dryer, water heater, dishwasher, air conditioner, furnace, refrigerator, freezer, heat pump? ENERGY STAR® certified new appliances are sales tax free April 19-25 in Missouri

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

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

Top 25 Invasive Plants in Missouri

Seed St. Louis Planting Guides
Asparagus Leeks Onions Potatoes Strawberries

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

Volunteers Wanted for 9 am Tuesday and Thursday Plant It Forward at Tower Grove Park. Help the Horticulture Team maintain the beautiful flower beds

10 am Wednesday Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Online Class: Gardening 101. Register

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

Noon Thursday Deep Roots KC and Mo Conservation Dept Zoom/FB Event Native Plants at Noon on the Road. This month: explore the spring-blooming native plants at Bluebell Valley 

6 pm Thursday Seed St. Louis Online Class: Gardening for the Environment. Register

7 pm Friday Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Workshop: Tips and Tricks for Shorebird Identification. Register

Saturday Brightside Blitz Clean Ups: Volunteers Wanted at Baden, Carondelet Park, The Hill, Marquette Park, West End/Hodiamont Tracks, Willmore Park

9 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Workshop: Learning to Hunt- Wild Edibles. Register

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

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

10 am April 25th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Wonderful Wildflower ID. Suitable for Ages 12+. Register

10 am April 25th Trolley Tour @ Bellefontaine Cemetery Two-hour trolley tour led by a Master Guide sharing horticulture and arboretum highlights Tickets $5. Register

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

10 am April 26th Bellefontaine in Bloom at Bellefontaine Cemetery. 2 Hour walking tour with master guide. Register

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

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

10 am April 27th Missouri Conservation Department event for Pre-K to First Graders @ Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- Bird Buddies! Register

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

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

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

9:30 am April 29th Forest ReLeaf Arbor Day Tree Giveaway at Scott Joplin House. Learn about City Tree Farm. Forest ReLeaf 30th Birthday Cake. Register

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

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

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

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

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

7 pm May 5th Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood: Concert by John Nilsen. Register

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

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

May 6th-7th Tower Grove East Community Garden Plant Sale, 3303 Sidney

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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