This Week in Gardening & Nature

Leek harvest on plywood table
chopped leeks in collander for washing

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

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

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

Sign up for Missouri Coalition for Environment Missouri Legislative Alerts

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

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

Good Reads, Views, Listens —

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

Winter Sowing Seeds (University of Missouri Extension)

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

What is Rapini? (Mother Earth News)

Taking Plant Cuttings (University of Missouri Extension)

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

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—– DAILY —–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April Seven Pines Garden Club Plant Sale

April UCity in Bloom Plant Sale

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, May 22nd-23rd, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

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

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

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

May 30th Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium

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

June Kimmswick Visitor Center Daylily Sale

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Head of blue green cabbage
Cabbage and kale seedlings
Nappa Cabbage

Plant of the Week: Cabbage. Start your seeds indoors now. Transpant in March.

Plan your garden with  2026 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar, good for Zones 6a, 6b, 7a, maybe more. Start Indoors this week: leeks, onions, broccoli, cabbage

Free Heirloom Seeds 

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Added this week: placeholders for April Seven Pines Garden Club & UCity in Bloom Plant Sales; May 2nd-3rd Kress Farm Garden Preserve Spring Sale, Hillsboro; May 9th Webster Groves Women’s Garden Club Sale

Sign up for Missouri Coalition for Environment Missouri Legislative Alerts

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

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

Good Reads, Views, Listens —

How to Grow Leafy Greens Indoors—and Harvest Them Again and Again (Martha Stewart)

‘Succulent mania’ takes root. Easy-care houseplants gain popularity (University of Missouri Extension)

If You Avoid Orchids Because They’re ‘Impossible to Keep Alive’ You Need to Read This – A Plant Expert Debunks the 3 Worst Orchid Myths (Homes and Gardens)

Herbs grown indoors require extra care. Here are some tips (Associated Press)

Rather than protecting Illinois River Watershed, Oklahoma lawmakers have allowed it to be exploited (Oklahoma Voice)

Why are river deltas disappearing? They’re sinking faster than many people realize. (Louisiana Illuminator)

For Kids: Activity Books and Activity Sheets for download (Illinois Department of Natural Resources)

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
January 24th Bevo. Register
February 1st Forest Park Southeast. Register
February 7th Hyde Park. Register
February 14th Tower Grove East. Register
February 14th Benton Park West. Register
February 15th Shaw. Register
February 17th Old North. Register
February 21st Benton Park. Register
February 28th Bevo. Register

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

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

Now thru January 31st St. Louis City Public Library Annual Martin Luther King Food Drive

Beginning February 2nd Forest ReLeaf Project CommuniTree Applications Accepted. Free, 3-gallon trees and shrubs for public or nonprofit plantings in St. Louis City and County.

Hey, Parents. St. Louis County Parks & Rec Children’s Garden Club returns in February

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

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

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

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

—– DAILY —–

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

6 pm Wednesday, January 21st, Wild Ones webinar: Intergenerational Care for Land and Community- A Conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer, author, botanist, and founder of Plant Baby Plants, and Esther Bonney, Nurture Natives founder. Register

1 Seat remaining. 11 am Thursday, January 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department nature art class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Black Walnut Ink & Junk Journaling. Register

6 pm Thursday, January 22nd, Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Best Crops for School Gardens & Orchards. Register

7 pm Thursday, January 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department Native Plants, Upgrading Your Urban Oasis Virtual Series: Landscape Prep and Winter Seed Sowing. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am Friday, January 23rd, Heartlands Conservancy Stewardship Day at Brushy Lake, Collinsville, Illinois. Tree care. Register

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

6 pm Friday, January 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Creature Feature Virtual Class:  Blue Jays. Register

31 Tickets remaining. 10 am to Noon Saturday, January 24th, Missouri Conservation Department Eagle Watching at Chain of Rocks Bridge. Register

10 am Saturday, January 24th, Audubon Center at Riverlands Eagle Saturday at West Alton, Missouri. $10. Register

10 am to 4 pm Saturday-Sunday, January 24th-25th, Sachs Butterfly House event in Chesterfield: Bugs, Rhythm, and Blues Weekend. Fees apply

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

Noon Saturday, January 24th, The Nature Institute class in Godfrey, Illinois: Winter Tree Identification. $5 for nonmembers. Register

10 am Sunday, January 25th, Audubon Center at Riverlands Symposium Sunday at West Alton, Missouri: Birds of the Confluence, History & Art of Carving Duck Decoys, Gull Identification. Free but Register

For 3rd-8th grade kids. 10 am Monday, January 26th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: All about Eagles with the World Bird Sanctuary. Register

9-11 am Tuesday, January 27th, University of Illinois Extension Tree Care Webinar Series: Construction and Urban Soils. $10 for access to all sessions. Register

For 3rd-8th grade kids. 10 am Tuesday, January 27th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: All about Eagles with World Bird Sanctuary.

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

9:30 am January 29th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Hike at Fort Belle Fontaine, St. Louis County. Register

1 pm January 29th Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Bald Eagles in Missouri. Register

6 pm January 29th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Grow Your Own Vegetable Seedlings. The basics of starting seeds, what supplies you will need, and general tips and tricks. Register

6 pm January 29th Missouri Conservation Department webinar:  Winter Bird ID. Register

For kids ages 2-5. 2 pm January 30th St. Louis County Library event at Parkview Branch: Cactus Makes Perfect. Includes make & take cactus puppet craft. Register

10 am January 31st Audubon Center at Riverlands Eagle Saturday at West Alton, Missouri. $10. Register

10 am to 4 pm January 31st & February 1st Sachs Butterfly House event in Chesterfield: Bugs, Rhythm, and Blues Weekend. Fees apply

January 31st Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves Wild Things 2026 Conference in O’Fallon, Illinois, one of the largest conservation gatherings in the Midwest, a celebration of nature, wildlife, ecosystem restoration, birding, botanizing, networking, and discovery. Fees but scholarship may be available.

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

2 pm January 31st St. Louis County Library event at Meramec Valley Branch: Seed & Houseplant Swap. Register

6 Tickets remaining. For ages 7+. 10 am February 1st Missouri Conservation Department fishing class at Forest Park Hatchery: All About Trout. Anyone 16-64 years of age must have a Missouri Fishing Permit. Register.

2 Tickets remaining. 4:30 pm February 1st Missouri Conservation Department event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Coyotes Under the Full Snow Moon Hike. Register

6 pm February 1st The Nature Institute event in Godfrey, Illinois: Moonlight Hike. $5 for nonmembers. Register

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

9-11 am February 3rd University of Illinois Extension Tree Care Webinar Series: Chainsaw Safety and Pruning Young Trees. $10 for access to all sessions. Register

9 am February 4th Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum Winter Shrub Walk with horticulturist. $5 donation suggested. Register

1 pm February 4th Missouri Conservation Department webinar: Winter Woodpeckers. Register

6:30 pm February 4th St. Louis County Library class at Grant’s View Branch: Gardening 101- Spring Colors. Register

8 am February 7th St. Louis Audubon Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

10 am February 7th Bowood Farms Seed Starting Workshop. $35. Register

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

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

9:30 am February 11th Tower Grove Park event: Monarchs and Friends

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For ages 8+. 12:30 pm February 14th Missouri Conservation Department family event at Tower Grove Park: Art in the Park- Bee Mines. Learn about bees + craft project. Register

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For Kids ages 2-7. 5:30 February 19th Missouri Conservation Department Conservation Kids event at Tower Grove Park: You and Me under the Canopy- Critter Comparisons. Register

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am March 14th Seed St. Louis March Sale at Carriage House: Potatoes, Onions, Strawberries, Asparagus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 pm April 15th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Carpenter Library: Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made with HareandBearco. Floral art. Registration opens February 7th.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am to 2 pm Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, May 22nd-23rd, Flyleaf Market monthly pop up on 1st floor of Watson Terrace Christian Church, Watson @ Winnebago: Succulent & Tropical Plant Sale. This involves a very cool Citizen Growers program.

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

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

May 30th Brightside St. Louis Urban Gardening Symposium

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Rose Mallow
Rose Mallow shrub with lake in background

Plant of the Week: Rose Mallow, a native hibiscus with large flowers, one of Missouri’s tallest perennials (up to 8 feet). Seedlings available cheap at Missouri Conservation Annual Tree Seedling Sale. Orders ship out in Spring. I have ordered seedlings and trying to grow from seed.

Rose Mallow fuzzy seeds

Nature Conservancy’s 2025 Missouri Report. Find out about Nature Conservancy’s work in another state here.

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Additions this week: January Happy Trails Farm (horse rescue) Garden Vendor Fair & Seed Swap in Granite City IL; March Seed St. Louis Potatoes, Onions, Strawberries, Asparagus Sale

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

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

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

Good Reads/Views/Listens —

How St. Louis’ coal-choked skies and dying orchids planted the seeds for a beloved nature reserve (St. Louis Public Radio)

Seed bank at Missouri Botanical Garden outgrows space, gets new home in St. Louis (St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Wayback Machine)

The secret to keeping your holiday greenery fresher longer (Associated Press)

Applying Permaculture Principles to the Garden. Discover some of the principles of permaculture that will help you achieve a low-maintenance garden. (Mother Earth News)

Petal Pusher, November-December newsletter (Missouri Native Plant Society)

MU weed science team confirms dicamba-resistant water hemp (University of Missouri Extension)

Project FeederWatch: How You Can Help Scientists Track Birds (Horticulture Magazine)

The global plastic waste trade contributes to coastal litter in importing countries, study shows (University of Illinois Extension)

Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plant Gardening Videos

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

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

Shaw Nature Reserve Propagation Guide

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

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

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events —

—– ONGOING —–

Registration Open for 2026 Swamp Needlers. Theme: Missouri’s Streams. Classes start January 5th. 12 Month Virtual Program, second Mondays. Learn simple, but beautiful embroidery techniques by stitching quilt blocks based on theme. Register

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
December 20th Old North. Register
December 20th Benton Park. Register
December 20th Tower Grove East. Register
December 21st Shaw. Register
December 27th Bevo. Register
January 3rd Hyde Park. Register
January 4th Forest Park Southeast. Register
January 10th Tower Grove East. Register
January 10th Benton Park West. Register
January 17th Old North. Register
January 17th Benton Park. Register
January 18th Shaw. Register
January 24th Bevo. Register
February 1st Forest Park Southeast. Register
February 7th Hyde Park. Register
February 14th Tower Grove East. Register
February 14th Benton Park West. Register
February 15th Shaw. Register
February 17th Old North. Register
February 21st Benton Park. Register
February 28th Bevo. Register

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

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

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

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

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

Now thru January 31st St. Louis City Public Library Annual Martin Luther King Food Drive

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

—– DAILY —–

Noon Monday, December 22nd, Missouri Conservation Department online class: Backyard Birds in Winter. Learn Bird Identification, Birding Essentials, Bird Sounds, Distinguishing Features. Register

For ages 5-12 but family welcome. 11 Seats remaining. 10:30 am December 30th Missouri Conservation Department Conservation Kids event at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Hibernation Pajama Party. Register

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

10 am January 1st Eastern Missouri Sierra Club New Year’s Day Hike at Forest Park. Register

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

3:30 pm January 2nd Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: The Adaptable Bobcat. Register

8 am January 3rd St. Louis Audubon Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

10 am to 2 pm January 3rd Audubon Center at Riverlands Eagle Ice Fest at West Alton, Missouri. Free activities plus online ticketed $10 Eagle Meet & Greet and $10 Guided Bird Hike.

18 Tickets available. 1 pm January 3rd Missouri Conservation Department hike at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Winter Walk. Naturalist led ½-mile walk on Powder Valley’s Hickory Ridge Short Loop trail. Register

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

For kids ages 2-5. 2 pm January 6th St. Louis County Library event at Grand Glaize Branch: Cactus Makes Perfect. Includes make & take cactus puppet craft. Register

5 pm January 6th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Missouri’s State Symbols with a naturalist. Register

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

6 pm January 8th St. Louis County Library event at Florissant Valley Branch: Houseplant Care. Register

6:15 pm January 8th Wild Ones St. Charles Area Chapter Winter Speaker Series at Spencer Road Library, St. Peters: Native Landscaping for Drought Tolerance, presented by Dan Pearson, St. Louis Audubon Society’s Bring Conservation Home program. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am January 9th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Castlewood State Park Service Day, Ballwin. Register

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

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

10 am January 10th Audubon Center at Riverlands Eagle Saturday at West Alton, Missouri. $10. Register

For ages 5-12 but family welcome. 24 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am January 10th Missouri Department of Conservation Conservation Kids event at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Tracks in the Snow. Learn about animal tracks in the wintertime in Missouri. Register

11 am January 10th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Intro to Winter Tree ID. Register by January 8th.

Noon to 4 pm January 10th Happy Trails Farm (501c3 horse rescue) Garden Vendor Fair & Seed Swap at Moose Lodge, 2521 Maryville Rd, Granite City, Illinois. Donations accepted and a lucky donor will win a pickup truck of manure.

1 pm January 10th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Foraging 101. Register

20 Tickets remaining. 1 pm January 10th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Kestrel Nesting Boxes. The kestrel is the only falcon on this continent to nest in cavities. Register

For kids ages 2-5. 2 pm January 10th St. Louis County Library event at Lewis & Clark Branch: Cactus Makes Perfect. Includes make & take cactus puppet craft. Register

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

10 am January 11th Audubon Center at Riverlands Swan Sunday at West Alton, Missouri

2 pm January 11th Wild Ones Southwest Illinois Chapter speaker series in Collinsville, Illinois: An Expert Approach to Winter Propagation. Different methods of starting native plants from seeds and hardwood cuttings. Register

9-11 am January 13th University of Illinois Extension Tree Care Webinar Series: Trees for Pollinators and Evergreen ID. $10 for access to all sessions. Register

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

6 pm January 13th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Intro to Winter Tree ID. Register by January 9th.

Noon January 14th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Tapping into Maple Season. Learn how to select the correct Maple Tree, correct tapping techniques, and when to tap. Registration opens December 29th.

4 pm January 14th Grow Native! Webinar: Let’s Talk Trees. Topics: general tree health; treating pests & diseases; the right tree with the right place; proper watering, soil considerations, pruning, mulching; finding and using difficult-to-source and rarely used native species. Register

22 Tickets remaining. 2:30 pm January 16th Missouri Conservation Department Hike: A Winter Walk in Tower Grove Park. Register

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

10 am January 17th Audubon Center at Riverlands Eagle Saturday at West Alton, Missouri. $10. Register

10m am to 2 pm January 18th Audubon Center at Riverlands Family Sunday Funday at West Alton, Missouri. Beginners Bird Hike, Marko Polo Live Music, face painting, crafts

12 Tickets remaining. 12:30 pm January 19th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Conservation Scene Investigation. Discover how conservation agents and biologists use evidence to solve wildlife violations. Register

17 Tickets remaining. 1 pm January 19th Missouri Conservation Department event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Eagle Explorations. Register

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

9-11 am January 20th University of Illinois Extension Tree Care Webinar Series: Forest Health Updates and Fungal Mutualists. $10 for access to all sessions. Register

Noon January 20th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Bald Eagles in Missouri. Register

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

11 am January 22nd Missouri Conservation Department nature art class at Rockwoods Reservation, Wildwood: Black Walnut Ink & Junk Journaling. Register

6 pm January 22nd Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Best Crops for School Gardens & Orchards. Register

7 pm January 22nd Missouri Conservation Department Native Plants, Upgrading Your Urban Oasis Virtual Series: Landscape Prep and Winter Seed Sowing. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am January 23rd Heartlands Conservancy Stewardship Day at Brushy Creek, Collinsville, Illinois. Tree care. Register

6 pm January 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Creature Feature Virtual Class:  Blue Jays. Register

10 am January 24th Audubon Center at Riverlands Eagle Saturday at West Alton, Missouri. $10. Register

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

Noon January 24th The Nature Institute class in Godfrey, Illinois: Winter Tree Identification. $5 for nonmembers. Register

10 am January 24th Audubon Center at Riverlands Symposium Sunday at West Alton, Missouri: Birds of the Confluence, History & Art of Carving Duck Decoys, Gull Identification. Free but Register

For 3rd-8th grade kids. 10 am January 26th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: All about Eagles with the World Bird Sanctuary. Register

9-11 am January 27th University of Illinois Extension Tree Care Webinar Series: Construction and Urban Soils. $10 for access to all sessions. Register

For 3rd-8th grade kids. 10 am January 27th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: All about Eagles with the World Bird Sanctuary. Register

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

6 pm January 29th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Grow Your Own Vegetable Seedlings. The basics of starting seeds, what supplies you will need, and general tips and tricks. Register

6 pm January 29th Missouri Conservation Department webinar:  Winter Bird ID. Register

9 am January 30th Missouri Conservation Department class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Winter Tree ID Workshop. Register

For kids ages 2-5. 2 pm January 30th St. Louis County Library event at Parkview Branch: Cactus Makes Perfect. Includes make & take cactus puppet craft. Register

10 am January 31st Audubon Center at Riverlands Eagle Saturday at West Alton, Missouri. $10. Register

January 31st Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves Wild Things 2026 Conference in O’Fallon, Illinois, one of the largest conservation gatherings in the Midwest, a celebration of nature, wildlife, ecosystem restoration, birding, botanizing, networking, and discovery. Fees but scholarship may be available.

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

2 pm January 31st St. Louis County Library event at Meramec Valley Branch: Seed & Houseplant Swap. Register

6 pm February 1st The Nature Institute event in Godfrey, Illinois: Moonlight Hike. $5 for nonmembers. Register

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

9-11 am February 3rd University of Illinois Extension Tree Care Webinar Series: Chainsaw Safety and Pruning Young Trees. $10 for access to all sessions. Register

6:30 pm February 4th St. Louis County Library class at Grant’s View Branch: Gardening 101- Spring Colors. Register

8 am February 7th St. Louis Audubon Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am March 14th Seed St. Louis March Sale at Carriage House: Potatoes, Onions, Strawberries, Asparagus

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

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

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

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

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

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

6:15 pm February 12th Wild Ones St. Charles Area Chapter Winter Speaker Series at Spencer Road Library, St. Peters: Spring Ephemerals. Registration not open yet.

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

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

6 pm April 15th St. Louis Public Library Sustainability Series at Carpenter Library: Locally Sourced, Mindfully Made with HareandBearco. Floral art. Registration opens February 7th.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Much Does A St. Louis City Alder Seat Cost?

Man with giant green money bag

Updated 12/27/2025 to reflect additional December 2025 donations by Jerald Kent, Chairman and CEO of Tierpoint and Cequel 3 data centers.

I have no idea how much candidates for St. Louis City Alder and Board President raised and spent in 2023 or 2025. I could go thru campaign finance reports filed at Missouri Ethics Commission. But those figures would be highly problematic because of independent spending by political action committees (PACs), legal money laundries in Missouri.

What I can tell you about is the St. Louis City-based PAC, that now has an agenda before the Board of Alders and City economic development boards, that spent a lot of money electing the Board of Alders in recent years. A LOT.

Civic Progress Action Committee, the PAC for Civic Progress, and its successor 21st Century St. Louis PAC, the PAC for Greater St. Louis, have a 24 year history online at MEC. It’s a history showing dramatic changes in purpose and how they operate– two different eras, different goals.

Civic Progress Action Committee was run for many years by Walter L. Metcalfe, Jr. and Alfred E. Kerth, III. Civic Progress was a rich white man’s club, the captains of industry. Their PAC was noblesse oblige politics.

Civic Progress Action Committee paid for lunch meetings at private clubs including St. Louis Club and The Bogey Club. It paid for administrative services from FleishmanHillard, Bryan Cave, PricewaterhouseCoopers, RubinBrown, and Civic Progress Inc. It invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in Euro Dollar Bonds. Nothing like that shows up in 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s reports.

Civic Progress Action Committee hired lobbyists to monitor and testify at hearings: 35 checks, $5,000 each to Nexus Group from February 2018 to December 2020; 33 checks, $5,000 to $10,000 each to Dentons, previous employers of Nexus Group, from January 2015 to February 2018. Lobbyist Dick Wiles, a Jefferson City fixture for decades, once represented Civic Progress as well.

Greater St. Louis has 15 lobbyists, both at the State Capitol and at City Hall. They are not paid by 21st Century St. Louis PAC. At City Hall and at economic development board meetings (corporate welfare) the organization is served by attorney David Sweeney, former Clerk of the Board of Alders and considered a “friend” by most Alders and other elected officials at City Hall. Sweeney also lobbies for many developers. Generally, Alders rubberstamp projects that Sweeney represents.

One thing that Civic Progress Action Committee did not do was consort with City Alders, donate to candidates, or make Independent Expenditures to elect candidates. That all changed when Civic Progress merged with several organizations to become Greater St. Louis and Jason Hall, its CEO, took over Civic Progress Action on August 3, 2022. Good luck finding a news article on this merger that is objective, not mostly propaganda.

In 2023, 21st Century St. Louis PAC helped elect two Alders representing the City’s central corridor and lesser amounts on eight other successful candidates, 12 of 15 votes on the Board including Board President Megan Green. In 2025, the PAC helped elect 8 of 8 Alder seats on regular and special election ballots, a majority of votes on the Board.

In 2023, 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s $42,936.02 in direct expenditures and contributions were pivotable to helping nine-year Washington University employee Michael Browning defeat two incumbent Alders-  Tina “Sweet-T” Pihl and Michael Gras- to become Alder of the City’s Central West End’s new 9th Ward, a product of consolidating wards from 28 to 14 and subsequent redistricting. Another $40,936.03 went to the re-election of 14th Ward Alder Rasheen Aldridge, one of two Downtown Alders.

In 2025, 21st Century St. Louis PAC spent $13,936.68 on Alder Browning, who had neither a primary nor general election opponent, and $26,379.91 electing banker Jami Cox Antwi as Downtown’s second Alder, the 8th Ward seat vacated by the election of Alder Cara Spencer to Mayor.

Another $16,183.60 went to the re-election of 1st Ward Alder Anne Schweitzer; $16,533.44 to help re-elect 7th Ward Alder Alisha Sonnier; and $13,978.68 to re-elect 11th Ward Alder Laura Keys; plus, smaller amounts for another four Alders.

Browning and Aldridge have sponsored millions and millions of dollars in corporate welfare for developers in the City’s central corridor (Central West End to Downtown)- property tax abatements (which reduce revenue to public schools), sales tax exemotions, developer-controlled special taxes, and more. Antwi is the Board’s newest member but will predictably follow in the footsteps of Spencer and, before that, Alder Phyllis Young, in sponsoring millions in corporate welfar for Downtown developers. That’s why Greater St. Louis invests money in Alder elections. And the sky’s the limit on how much.

Most of the money spent by 21st Century St. Louis PAC was by Direct Expenditure. In Missouri, these are funds to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure without giving directly to a candidate or committee, money for mailings, robo calls, digital advertising, etc.

Direct Expenditures are a way around campaign finance contribution limits. A PAC can donate the legal limit, for Alders that’s $2,600, then spend as much as it wants in Direct Expenditures. 21st Century St. Louis PAC did exactly that.

Direct Expenditures are also only reported by the PAC making them. They do not show up on beneficiary candidate or ballot committee reports. You have to know who the players are in an election and track their reports available online at Missouri Ethics Commission. The spending may attract news media attention for statewide candidates and ballot issues but rarely local elections.

January 2023 to October 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC
Direct Expenditures Benefiting St. Louis City Candidates
06/30/2025 $11,627.82 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
06/13/2025 $12,152.03 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
03/24/2025 $14,183.60 Alder Anne Schweitzer
03/24/2025 $13,933.44 Alder Alisha Sonnier
03/24/2025 $13,836.68 Alder Michael Browning
03/24/2025 $13,718.68 Alder Laura Keys
03/29/2023 $6,686.28 former Alder Joe Vollmer
03/29/2023 $6,686.27 former Alder Joe Vaccaro
03/27/2023 $11,140.06 Alder Michael Browning
03/27/2023 $11,140.07 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/22/2023 $11,235.48 Alder Michael Browning
03/22/2023 $11,235.48 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/20/2023 $15,960.48 Alder Michael Browning
03/20/2023 $15,960.48 Alder Rasheen Aldridge

January 2023 to October 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC
Contributions to St. Louis City Electeds and Failed Candidates
05/28/2025 $2,600 Alder Jami Cox Antwi
03/26/2025 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Anne Schweitzer
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Matt DeVoti
02/13/2025 $2,600 Alder Alisha Sonnier
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
12/17/2024 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
10/09/2024 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
12/14/2023 $2,600 Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore
03/10/2023 $2,600 failed Alder candidate J.P. Mitchom
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Rasheen Aldridge
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Tom Oldenburg
03/10/2023 $2,600 Board President Megan Green
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Daniela Velazquez
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
03/10/2023 $2,600 former Alder Joe Vollmer
03/10/2023 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
03/10/2023 $2,600 former Alder, now Mayor Cara Spencer
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Shane Cohn
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Daniela Velazquez
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder, now Mayor Cara Spencer
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder Joe Vollmer
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Michael Browning
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder Mike Gras
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Laura Keys
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Pam Boyd
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Mayor Tishaura Jones
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Comptroller Darlene Green
02/21/2023 $2,600 Board President Megan Green
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Tom Oldenburg
02/21/2023 $2,600 former Alder James Page
02/21/2023 $2,600 Alder Rasheen Aldridge

Who funded the 21st Century St. Louis PAC’s efforts in St. Louis City Alder campaigns in 2023 and 2025?

January 2023 to October 2025
21st Century St. Louis PAC Funders

12/16/2025 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
08/11/2025 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center) – this contribution was posted 12/22/2025 as a 48 Hour Report, so should be getting a fine from Missouri Ethics Commission for failure to disclosure in timely manner
07/29/2025 $7,372.44 STL Regional Chamber PAC*
02/27/2025 $5,000 Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (law firm)
02/23/2025 $5,000 David Peacock (Advantage Solutions)
02/03/2025 $5,000 David Peacock (Advantage Solutions)
12/02/2024 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
11/12/2024 $25,000 Andrew Taylor (Enterprise Mobility)
10/23/2024 $5,000 Commerce Bancshares
10/10/2024 $10,000 Ameren (utility, strong interest in data centers)
10/07/2024 $20,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
08/23/2024 $4,500 Jerome Schlichter (attorney)
08/23/2024 $4,500 Susan Schlichter (retired)
08/20/2024 $5,000 Michael Konzen (PGAV)
08/14/2024 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
08/13/2024 $10,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)
08/12/2024 $20,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
08/16/2024 $5,000 Schnuck Markets
09/05/2023 $10,000 John Tracy (Dot Family Holdings)
03/29/2023 $4,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
03/29/2023 $4,000 Susan Schlichter (retired)
03/27/2023 $10,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)
03/27/2023 $5,000 Spire PAC (utility)
03/24/2023 $2,500 Commerce Bancshares
03/21/2023 $5,000 900 N Tucker LLC (developer,Old Post-Dispatch Bldg, data center, Interco Plaza)
03/20/2023 $10,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint and Cequel 3, data center)
03/20/2023 $3,000 Edward L. Dowd Jr. Living Trust (attorney)
03/17/2023 $20,000 First Bank
03/16/2023 $10,000 Post Holdings (consumer packaged foods)
03/14/2023 $5,000 Bryan Cave Missouri PAC (law firm)
02/24/2023 $5,000 900 N Tucker LLC (developer, Old Post-Dispatch Bldg, data center, Interco Plaza)
02/17/2023 $5,000 Schnuck Markets
02/14/2023 $5,000 Commerce Bancshares PAC
02/09/2023 $5,000 Jerome Schlichter (attorney)
02/07/2023 $25,000 Andrew Taylor (Enterprise Holdings)
02/08/2023 $10,000 Jerald Kent (Tierpoint, data center)
02/06/2023 $5,000 Lodging Hospitality Management (developer, hotelier)
02/02/2023 $5,000 Robert Hermann Jr (Busch Family, Hermann Companies)
02/01/2023 $5,000 Thompson Coburn (law firm)

Notice how much the source of funds changed after the merger.

January 2015 to December 2020
Civic Progress Action Committee Funders
12/21/2020 $12,000 SSM Health St. Louis
11/17/2020 $4,500 Caleres Inc
10/13/2020 $7,500 Nestle Purina PetCare
10/13/2020 $7,500 BJC Healthcare
09/30/2020 $4,500 Stifel Financial
09/26/2020 $7,500 Edward Jones
09/23/2020 $4,500 Maritz
08/27/2020 $7,500 Ameren Missouri
06/25/2020 $4,500 Coin Acceptors Inc
06/22/2020 $4,500 Schnucks Markets
06/10/2020 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
06/05/2020 $13,000 RGA Reinsurance
05/29/2020 $4,500 Cequel III
05/18/2020 $4,500 Graybar Electric
05/11/2020 $4,500 Spire Missouri
03/31/2020 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
02/11/2020 $13,000 Centene Management
02/10/2020 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
02/06/2020 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/31/2020 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/29/2020 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc PAC
12/13/2019 $75,000 Civic Progress Inc
03/20/2019 $4,500 Caleres
02/26/2019 $4,500 Maritz
02/08/2019 $7,500 Mercy
01/25/2019 $13,000 Centene Management
01/25/2019 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc PAC
01/16/2019 $4,500 Schnucks Markets
01/02/2019 $7,500 Ameren Missouri
12/14/2028 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
11/05/2018 $25,000 Civic Progress
11/02/2018 $4,500 Cequel III
10/23/2018 $4,500 Maritz
05/31/2018 $4,500 Graybar Electric
05/21/2018 $4,500 BJC HealthCare
05/16/2018 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
05/07/2018 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/03/2018 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
05/03/2018 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T
05/01/2018 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/01/2018 $13,000 Express Scripts
03/29/2018 $4,500 Caleres Inc
02/08/2028 $7,500 Edward Jones
01/26/2018 $4,500 Mercy St. Louis
01/24/2018 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
01/24/2018 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc. PAC
01/24/2018 $7,500 Centene Management
01/09/2018 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/17/2018 $4,500 Spire Missouri
01/05/2018 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
09/13/2017 $4,500 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T
07/01/2017 $4,500 Commerce Bank
06/20/2017 $13,000 Monsanto
06/12/2017 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/22/2017 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings Inc. PAC
05/17/2017 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/02/2017 $4,500 Mercy
04/28/2017 $4,500 Maritz
04/11/2017 $4,500 Caleres Inc
04/06/2017 $4,500 Coin Acceptors Inc
03/30/2017 $4,500 Stifel Financial
02/02/2017 $7,500 World Wide Technology Holding Co
01/30/2017 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
01/25/2017 $7,500 Centene Management
01/25/2017 $7,500 Edward Jones
12/22/2016 $13,000 Emerson Electric
12/22/2016 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
12/20/2016 $4,500 BJC Healthcare
12/20/2016 $175,000 Civic Progress
12/19/2016 $4,500 The Laclede Group
11/07/2016 $2,000 Committee for Bond Initiatives
09/07/2016 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
08/16/2016 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
06/30/2016 $4,500 Graybar Electric
06/20/2016 $4,500 BJC Healthcare
06/20/2016 $4,500 Mercy
06/10/2016 $7,500 RGA Reinsurance
05/31/2016 $13,000 Express Scripts
05/31/2016 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
05/31/2016 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
04/27/2016 $4,500 Cequel III
03/31/2016 $4,500 Stifel Financial
03/14/2016 $13,000 Enterprise Holdings PAC
02/29/2016 $4,500 The Laclede Group
02/09/2016 $4,500 Caleres
02/09/2016 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
02/02/2016 $7,500 Centenne Management
02/02/2016 $7,500 US Bank
02/02/2016 $13,000 Monsanto
01/26/2016 $4,500 Civic Progress
01/22/2016 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/20/2916 $7,500 Ameren
01/12/2016 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/11/2016 $7,500 Edward Jones
12/22/2016 $13,000 Anheuser-Busch
05/28/2015 $4,500 Harbour Group Industries
05/28/2015 $4,500 Coin Acceptors
05/28/2015 $4,500 Maritz
05/15/2015 $4,500 Commerce Bancshares
05/15/2015 $4,500 Mercy
05/08/2015 $7,500 Nestle Purina PetCare
04/02/2015 $7,500 Energizer Holdings
03/12/2015 $7,500 Edward Jones
03/12/2015 $4,500 TKG Management
03/02/2015 $7,500 Peabody Investments
02/25/2015 $4,500 Schnuck Markets
02/25/2015 $4,500 Southwestern Bell Telephone dba AT&T Missouri
02/06/2015 $4,500 Brown Shoe
01/23/2015 $4,500 Graybar Electric
01/23/2015 $4,500 World Wide Technology Holding Co
01/23/2015 $7,500 Centene Management
01/19/2015 $4,500 UniGroup
01/15/2015 $7,500 US Bank
01/08/2015 $4,500 PF Services, Inc., 670 Mason Ridge Center
01/08/2015 $4,500 Hunter Engineering
01/08/2015 $13,000 Emerson Electric
01/08/2015 $7,500 Ameren

Civic Progress Action Committee paid for ballot issue campaigns affecting City of St. Louis- school bonds, Charter reform, Metropolitan Sewer District, sales tax for police, as well as statewide ballot issues. In 2012, as example, $68,600 was spent on Citizens for a Healthy Missouri’s ballot issue for a cigarette tax increase, defeated 51% to 49%. It will be interesting to see if Greater St. Louis continues that legacy.

January 2015 to December 2022
Civic Progress Action Committee & Civic Progress Inc
Contributions & Direct Expenditures to Ballot Issues
03/14/2022 $25,000 Local Jobs for STL
08/13/2021 $20,000 Invest in St. Louis Community College
03/19/2021 $25,000 Yes on Prop E – Earnings Tax STL
10/06/2017 $125,000 Citizens For A Safer St. Louis
03/29/2017 $10,000 Reduce & Reform STL
04/05/2017 $10,000 direct expenditure for Proposition S
02/24/2016 $100,000 Friends of St. Louis Public Schools
04/05/2016 $100,000 direct expenditure for Proposition 1
11/23/2015 $20,000 Campaign for Clean Water STL

In 2024, 21st Century St. Louis PAC endorsed MAGA candidate Mike Kehoe for Missouri Governor. In June 2025, the PAC donated $5,000 to the Missouri House Republican Campaign Committee. In May, 2025 Governor Kehoe and Missouri General Assembly took away local control of St. Louis City’s Police Department, overturned the will of Missouri voters who had approved local control.

*STL Regional Chamber PAC was part of the merger that created 21st Century St. Louis PAC. It was short lived on its own. Other than ordering checks, it spent no funds. The money transferred came from $7,500 in contributions in 2021 from Missouri American Water Employees PAC and Anheuser Busch, the only contributions the PAC had received.

Updated Mo & St. Louis City Candidate Qualifications, Requirements

2026 is an election year. In Missouri, State Auditor and all US House of Representative seats are up. In St. Louis City, there’s an election for State Senator (open seat due to term limits); all State House seats; County offices of Collector of Revenue, License Collector, Recorder of Deeds; a Community College seat representing southwest City; and two School Board seats up in November.

I tried to update the blog page for information on running for public office in St. Louis City and Missouri but there’s missing information because…

  • St. Louis School Board has no information on November candidate filing process and neither does Board of Election
  • St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees has no information on April Subdistrict 3 candidate filing process and neither does Board of Election

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Coral Bells, Heuchera, some varieties provide great Fall and Winter leaf color

Now thru January 1st at Missouri Botanical Garden: Holiday Flower and Train Show. Garden admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

Now thru January 4th Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Glow. Purchase Tickets.

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

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

Missouri 4-H Independent members program for 8-18 years olds living some distance from a 4-H club (University of Missouri Extension)

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

When to Plant in Illinois (University of Illinois Extension)

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

Plan your garden with  Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Good Reads/Views —

Monarch Butterfly Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection (US Fish & Wildlife Service)

Missouri Conservation Department finds likely bird flu cases among snow geese. Tests show probable infections in birds recovered in Henry and Vernon counties, prompting advisory asking for reports of dead waterfowl and warning against contact (Missouri Independent)

Supreme Court weighs limits on key federal environmental law (Colorado Newsline)

How a state sales tax helps Missouri farmers resist droughts (Columbia Missourian)

Native Plants at Noon Series on YouTube (Deep Roots Kansas City)

Container Gardening with Keystone Species. Find your Ecoregion. Missouri is a part of four regions- Southeastern Plains, Ozark Ouachita Appalachian Forest, Mississippi Alluvial, Temperate Prairies. Illinois is a part of Central Plains and Southeast Plains. (Homegrown National Park)

Fall/Winter edition of Meanderings (Heartlands Conservancy, Belleville IL)

Seed St. Louis Videos: Variety Trials, Virtual Classes, Starting Seeds Indoors, Orchard Tips, Gardening Tips & How Tos, 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 —

8:30 am Tuesday, December 17th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Winter Backyard Bird Watching. Register

4 Tickets remaining. 6:30 pm Tuesday, December 17th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: The Science and Art of Soap Making Pt. 1. Register

2 pm Wednesday, December 18th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Missouri Foxes. Register

4 pm Wednesday, December 18th, Missouri Prairie Foundation webinar: Prairie Planting Establishment & Stewardship, includes Q & A with Jerod Huebner. Register

33 Tickets remaining. 6 pm Wednesday, December 18th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom class: Outdoor Survival- Useful Knots for the Outdoors. Register

9 am Friday, December 20th, Missouri Sierra Club’s Eastern Missouri Group Service Day at Castlewood State Park, Ballwin. Register

3 pm Friday, December 20th, Missouri Conservation Department virtual class: Owls of Missouri. Register

3 Seats remaining. 10 am Saturday December 21st Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: The Science and Art of Soap Making Pt. 2. Requires online #1 class. Register

1 pm Saturday, December 21st Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Conservation Matinee- Flight of the Snow Geese

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am December 28th St. Louis Neighborhood Foresters Bevo Neighborhood Tree Care Blitz. Register

25 Tickets remaining. 1 pm December 31st Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Year End Hike. Register

4 Tickets remaining. 4:30 pm December 31st Missouri Conservation Department event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: New Year’s Eve Stroll to the Confluence. Register

8 am January 4th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

18 Tickets remaining. 9 am January 4th Missouri Conservation Department event at West Alton, Missouri: Dresser Island Hike. 5-7 mile hike along the Mississippi River. Register

1 pm January 4th St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Plants that Changed the Course of History-Volume 1, Missouri Botanical Garden Speakers Bureau.

6:30 pm January 6th Missouri River Bird Observatory Winter Learning Series on Zoom: Series Introduction & Towards Restoration Agriculture in Missouri, presented by Zach Miller, Preserve Engagement Manager, The Nature Conservancy. Register

25 Seats remaining. 6:30 pm January 9th St. Charles City-County Library event at Spencer Road Branch: Maintaining Native Plant Gardens

5 Seats remaining. 8-10 am January 11th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish- All About Trout! Lessons 1 & 2. Register

10 am January 11th Missouri Conservation Department online class: Kestrel Nesting Boxes. Register

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

6 pm January 13th Missouri Conservation Department online class: Suet-Yourself, Homemade Bird Feeders. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am January 12th St. Louis Neighborhood Foresters Tower Grove East Neighborhood Tree Care Blitz. Register

6:30 pm January 13th Missouri River Bird Observatory Winter Learning Series on Zoom: What Can Climate Litigation Teach Us About Holding the Plastics Industry Responsible for Pollution Problems, presented by Bart Elmore, Professor of Environmental History, Ohio State University. Register

10:30 am January 14th Missouri River Bird Observatory event at Ethical Society of St. Louis: The Global Effect of Plastics on the Environment, presented by Dana Ripper, co-founder, MRBO.

4 pm January 15th Grow Native! and Missouri Prairie Foundation online Master Class: Seeded Tree Islands for Beauty, Shade, and Native Diversity presented by horticulturist Scott Woodbury. Free to MPF members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 non-members. Register

6 Seats remaining. 8-10 am January 18th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Learn to Fish- All About Trout! Lessons 1 & 2. Register

19 Seats remaining. Ages 16+. 10 am January 11th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Art in the Park, Canvas & Cocoa. Paint a deer. All materials provided. Register

6:30 pm January 20th Missouri River Bird Observatory Winter Learning Series on Zoom: What Can Climate Litigation Teach Us About Holding the Plastics Industry Responsible for Pollution Problems, presented by Bart Elmore, Professor of Environmental History, Ohio State University. Register

2 pm January 22nd St. Louis Public Library event at Central Library: Plants that Changed the Course of History-Volume 2, Missouri Botanical Garden Speakers Bureau.

6 pm January 23rd Collinsville Park & Rec, Illinois class: Food Too Good to Waste Series- Food for Thought- Smart Planning to Reduce Food Waste. $15. Register

January 25th thru March 4th event at Sachs Butterfly House, Faust Park, Chesterfield: Morpho Mardi Gras- Bugs, Rhythm, & Blues. Fee applies

11 am to 4 pm January 25th St. Louis Seeding Frenzy Seed Swap & Homesteading Showcase at Sunset Hills Community Center, 3915 S Lindbergh. Also, will be an unused equipment/tool/supply exchange. If you do not have seeds to share, please bring a donation of either non-perishable food items, hygiene products, new kids socks, underwear for local charity.

6:30 pm January 27th Missouri River Bird Observatory Winter Learning Series on Zoom: Climate Change Conversations, presented by Jamin Bray, Co-Director, Missouri Environmental Education Association. Register

6 pm January 30th Seed St. Louis Zoom class: Indoor Food Gardening. Register

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

February 1st thru March 9th at Missouri Botanical Garden: Orchid Show. Garden admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

12 Seats remaining. 9-11 am February 4th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Pond to Plate, All About Trout! Register

12 Seats remaining. 8-10 am February 8th Missouri Conservation Department event at Forest Park Hatchery: Pond to Plate, All About Trout! Register

9 am to 3 pm February 8th Eagle Days at Audubon Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton, Missouri

11 am February 8th St. Charles City-County Library Plant & Seed Swap at Spencer Road Branch. Register, registration opens January11th

1 pm February 15th St. Louis Public Library event at Divoll Library: What’s All the Buzz About Natives? presented by Sue Leahy from Wild Ones.

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

7:30 am to Noon 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20 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

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

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

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

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

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

Join us Sundays on Bluesky for #GardenSunday. No longer on Twitter thanks to Elon Musk turning it into a dumpster fire.

Emily Hubbard’s letter on SLPS “board leadership”

St. Louis Board of Education, photos of members with St. Louis Public Schools logo, from SLPS website

I have added a graphic with link to Board of Education webpage but have not altered the letter in any way.

A letter to St. Louis:

With no joy and much trepidation, I must speak out about the state of the Board of Education.

I expressed into the public record when I ran for board president in April the notion that “board leadership” was a concept outside of our bylaws, which state that the board only has power when the full board is officially and legally meeting, etc., etc. I have expressed this concern internally all last school year. Two board members cannot legally act as if they are the board or they are speaking for the board. No board member should be engaged in the work of administration, whether directly or indirectly. After at least a full school year of our current illegitimate structure of “board leadership,” our board is not aligned, does not have a shared moral objective, and the district is embarrassed and in disarray with an unknown (to me at least) number of district leadership changes in the three weeks leading up to the start of school on August 19.

For the sake of the children of this city, I am calling on President Antionette “Toni” Cousins and Vice President Matt Davis to resign not just their executive positions but their seats on the board. Their illegitimate, reactionary, over-reaching “leadership” of the district must end. The lies and coercion must end. What is wrong and is hidden must be exposed and made right.

I ran for school board with “leadership that empowers” as one of my key goals, and that has not changed. So even though this is deeply uncomfortable and scary and unpleasant, and I am concerned about potential retaliation beyond the verbal upbraiding and loss of committee seats I have already experienced, my conscience will no longer allow me to keep silent. When “unity” is employed to hide dysfunction, it becomes coercion

For a long time any criticism of Dr. Scarlett was squashed as well as framed as criticism of the board president, which was also unacceptable. Speaking specifically about the hiring of all her friends into district positions, we all had brief access to resumes before we voted to approve the hires brought before us, not to mention I believe they all had linkedin pages. If I recall correctly,, the votes were all unanimous. So we the board are responsible for those hires. We had the information to ask questions, to act, and chose not to pursue vigorous action. Given the previously mentioned reactions to questions and criticisms as well as the “board leadership” structure, I hope I may be forgiven for assuming that serious interrogation of those hires as they were presented to us would have negative consequences without a change in the results.

It is the gift and burden of the board to be ultimately responsible for the work of the district. As I strive to bear that responsibility, I must reckon with the ways in which I have failed to act in the most effective ways to achieve the best results for our children and our employees. I can no longer be silent. Today, that responsibility includes demanding the resignation of “board
leadership” as well asking the children of this city, their parents, and the taxpayers for forgiveness for my and our collective failures to do our best for the district. I promise I’ve tried, but I should’ve been able to do more.

But as I’ve called on Ms. Cousins and Mr. Davis to resign, and repented of my own failures, I must also call on all of us—the adults in this city—to repent. We have allowed this misappropriation of power to continue at the expense of our children and the employees who serve them. Every individual and entity in this city that has allowed Ms. Cousins and Mr. Davis to act outside of the authority given them by our own board bylaws should reckon with what their passivity has cost our city’s children. “Nobody wants to lose local control” necessitates everyone locally using what power and responsibility they have to hold us accountable, not to be silent in the face of dysfunction.

If they choose to remain on the board, I ask that everyone who interacts with them in the context of “board leadership” require them to point to a board discussion, board vote, or board policy that legitimates their authority to act or speak.

Thanks so much for your time. I’m sorry it took me so long to be brave.

Emily Hubbard

STL City Charter Commission Fail, Again

Burn it all down.

Vote against anything proposed by the St. Louis City Charter Reform Commission. It has proven itself unworthy of the trust and votes of St. Louisans.

It’s been Transparency Fail after Transparency Fail, the latest related to 4:30 pm Tonight’s Commission Special Meeting.

I know. I know. We’re supposed to give the Sunshine violations a pass because we personally like some of the Commissioners and some of the ideas they’ve been exploring.

I know. I know. We’re supposed to give them a pass because they’re volunteers.

Nope. It’s a dumpster fire. Let it go down in flames.

Tonight’s Meeting has a notice on the City’s Public Meetings Calendar that was posted on June 20th. But like so many Charter Commission meetings before it, there was no Agenda posted online at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

Missouri’s Sunshine Law (610.020) requires public notice at least 24 hours in advance for public meetings and that notice shall include an Agenda. It is a very weak law that does not require the Notice and Agenda be posted online. That’s where St. Louis City’s Sunshine directives come into play here. Executive Order 60 and City Ordinance mandate the public meeting notices required by state law be posted to the online City Public Meeting Calendar.

8:58 am Today, over 16 hours past the deadline for required 24 hours Meeting Notice with Agenda, after much dragging on Twitter about the missing Agenda and need to cancel and reschedule meeting because of noncompliance with City Sunshine requirements, the Charter Commission added an Agenda to the meeting notice on City Calendar. We know this because the Public Meetings Calendar notices have Time/Date stamps for creation and editing at the end of the entry.

Then, and this really has my blood boiling, this afternoon, mere hours before the 4:30 pm meeting, the Commission dumped a 38 page “Meeting Packet” pdf on the documents page created for the Agenda. There is no way of knowing exact time this happened because document pages have no Time/Date stamp.

Time and time again, this Commission has failed to be transparent- lack of Minutes for subcommittees, Meeting Notices with Agendas posted late or never, Meeting Minutes of the Commission that do not reflect the meetings, etc.

And don’t get me started on the writing failures in the proposed Charter amendments.

Let this thing die.