This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Rue, a nonnative that serves as a Black Swallowtail nursery plant and provides winter interest. Heads up. Wear gloves when planting or cutting Rue back. Some, but not all of us, have got nasty rashes working with them without gloves on. Lesson learned.

If you are only looking for St. Louis Area (Missouri and Illinois) Seed Swaps and Plant Sales, here’s a page for them. Plant Sales Added this week: African Violets, Carnivorous, Daylilies, Hosta

Start Indoors This Week: Cauliflower, Collards, Chard, Kale, Kohlrabi, Parsley
Plan your garden with NEW 2024 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Want a tropical getaway this week? How about the 85°, lush, green tropical rainforest environment at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Climatron? Free admission to City and County residents Wednesday and Saturday mornings

Order your Grow Native! Free Resource Guide to Native Plants in Missouri– products, services, institutions

Keep Up To Date on Missouri Environmental Legislation at Missouri Coalition for the Environment’s Bill Tracker

Monarch Watch Free Milkweeds for Schools and Nonprofits Program

January 31st Deadline to apply for Missouri Native Plant Society Stan Hudson Research Grant for college student researching Missouri native plants (plant biology, including conservation, ecology, physiology, systematics and evolution, etc)

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

Good Reads —

Gardening by Month: February from Missouri Botanical Garden: Gardening Tips, Tasks, & Problems. In February, sow seeds of larkspur, sweet peas, poppies, and snapdragons outdoors.

February Garden To Do List from P. Allen Smith

Billions of cicadas will emerge in the U.S. this year in a rare double-brood event This year’s dual emergence is a rare, synchronized event that last occurred in 1803. (NBC News)

Native Plants for Renters: Container Gardening with Native Plants (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Wild Ones Native Garden Designs

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events

Now thru February 25th at Missouri Botanical Garden: Orchid Show. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

6:30 pm Monday, January 29th, Missouri River Bird Observatory Zoom Winter Learning Series: Problems with Plastic, Worse Than You Think with Rebekah Creshkoff, Beyond Plastics. Register

4 pm Wednesday, January 31st, Grow Native! Webinar In Bloom- Successional Native Plantings for Continuous Blooms with Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, Native Landscape Specialists at Gorman Conservation Center, Kansas City. Register

For Ages 5+. 10:30 am Friday, February 2nd, Missouri Conservation Department Class at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center: Missouri’s Furbearers and the Fur Trade. 7 Seats remaining. Register.

9 am Saturday, February 3rd, Missouri Conservation event: Hiking- The Sights and Sounds of Emmenegger Nature Park, Kirkwood. 4 Tickets remaining. Register

10 am Saturday, February 3rd, Missouri Conservation Department event at Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office, Brightside Building, Southwest Gardens: Eagle Power. 5 Seats available. Register

7 pm Saturday, February 3rd, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Birds- Hootin’ Hunters. Register

Noon Sunday, February 4th, Piasa Sierra Club Seed Swap at Alton YMCA, Alton IL. Register

1-4:30 pm Sunday, February 4th, Missouri Coalition for the Environment Wild and Scenic Film Festival at The Blue Note, Columbia MO. MCE members 20% Discount. $50 VIP, $20 General Admission, $10 16 and under. Register.

6:30 pm February 5th Missouri River Bird Observatory Zoom Winter Learning Series: Rare Insects of Missouri and Their Conservation with Steve Buback, Missouri Department of Conservation. Register

9 am to 3 pm February 10th Eagle Days at Audubon Center @ Riverlands (West Alton, Missouri). Register

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am to 1 pm February 10th Friends of Belleview Farm Park: Honeysuckle Removal Workday, St. Louis County. Also see

1 pm February 10th St. Louis Public Library Class @ Central Library: Top 10 Orchids for Home. 34 Seats remaining. Register.

11 am February 11th Missouri Conservation Department In-Person Event: Winter Bird Walk at Laumeier Sculpture Park. 8 Tickets available. Register

6 pm February 12th Missouri River Bird Observatory Zoom Winter Learning Series: Light Pollution and Birds presented by Travis Longcore, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. Register

2 pm February 13th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Public Library Virtual Class: Starting Seedlings. Register

5 pm February 13th Missouri Department of Conservation Zoom event: Introduction to Great Backyard Bird Count. Register. Also see Cornell Lab of Ornithology video on GBBC (YouTube)

4 pm February 14th Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Native Grassland Birds: Population Trends and Conservation. Register

February 15-16th Deep Roots Kansas City 2024 Plan It Native Landscapes Conference at Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, KC. $225. Register

9 am February 16th Missouri Department of Conservation In-Person event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center: Great Backyard Bird Count. 23 Seats remaining. Register. Also see Cornell Lab of Ornithology video on GBBC (YouTube)

9 am February 17th Missouri Conservation Department In-Person event at Dresser Island Conservation Area, West Alton Mo: Dresser Island Hike – Great Backyard Bird Count. 1 Ticket remaining. Register. Also see Cornell Lab of Ornithology video on GBBC (YouTube)

February 17th Seed St. Louis Community Agriculture Conference. In-Person or Virtual. $10. Register

9:30 am February 19th Missouri Conservation Department In-Person event at Forest Park: Great Backyard Bird Count. 26 Tickets remaining. Register

7 pm February 20th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Native Plants for Native Pollinators with Dr. Ed Spevak, St. Louis Zoo. Register

2 pm February 21st Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Native Plant Gardening 101 with Erin Goss, Shaw Nature Reserve. Register

6 pm February 22nd Table to Garden, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Seed St. Louis Class 1 of 4 core composting series at Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville IL: Eat Your Compost. $12. Register

7:30 am to Noon February 23rd Southwest Illinois Grow Native! Workshop with breakfast @ Lewis and Clark Community College, Edwardsville IL: Southwest Illinois Landscape Challenges & Native Plant Solutions. $25 Grow Native! Members, $15 Students, $30 Non-members

3:30 pm February 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- Planning and Prepping Your Garden. Register. Also see Cornell Lab of Ornithology video on GBBC (YouTube)

Ages 12+. 10 am February 24th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center: Wildlife CSI- Conservation Scene Investigation. Register

7 pm February 27th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: The Social Benefits of Trees with Rebecca Hankins, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. Register

2 pm February 28th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Native? Invasive? Exotic? Choose Eco-Logically with Jean Ponzi, Earthways Center. Register

6-8 pm Wednesdays, February 28th-April 3rd Forest ReLeaf 6 Week TreeKeepers Introductory Course at Renewable Energy Center, Maryland Hts. Register

10 am March 1st Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Walking Tour. Register

9 am to Noon March 2nd Bellefontaine Cemetery Garage Sale

10 am March 5th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5. Register

7 pm March 5th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Using iNaturalist in Your Garden with Dr. Nina Fogel, ShutterBee & Washington University. Register

10 am March 6th Bellefontaine Cemetery Springtime History & Horticulture Walking Tour. Register

1 pm March 6th St. Louis Public Library In Person Class @ Central Library: Alien Invasion! Plants with Betsy Alexander, Master Gardener from the Missouri Botanical Gardens Master Gardener Program. 35 Seats remaining. Register.

2 pm March 6th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Public Libraryt: Native Plant Food Gardening Panel– Dr. Nadia Navarrete Tindall, Lincoln University; Matt Lebon, Custom Foodscaping; Dean Gunderson , Seed STL; Moderator Jean Ponzi, Earthways Center. Register

6 pm March 7th 6 pm February 22nd Table to Garden, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Seed St. Louis Class 2 of 4 core composting series at Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville IL: Composting 101. $12. Register

March 8th-9th Midwestern Herb & Garden Show in Mount Vernon, Illinois (little over an hour drive from St. Louis City)

9 am to Noon March 9th Seed St. Louis Plant Sale: Potatoes, Strawberries, Asparagus, Mushroom Spawn, Onions.

Noon March 9th Piasa Sierra Club Seed Swap at Milton Schoolhouse, Alton IL. Register

Noon March 12th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- The Mints- Fresh Breath for Pollinators. Register

7 pm March 12th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Kill Your Lawn for the Birds with Emily Connor, Audubon Riverlands and Dan Pearson, St. Louis Audubon. Register

10 am March 13th Bellefontaine Cemetery Springtime History & Horticulture Walking Tour. Register

Noon March 13th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom event: Native Plants- Planting for Hummingbirds. Register

2 pm March 13th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Container Gardening with Native Plants with Joan Klingensmith, Shaw Nature Reserve. Register

7 pm March 19th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Planning for Future Drought with Native Plants with Shannon Callahan – St. Louis Audubon. Register

2 pm March 20th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Native Landscaping for Butterflies & Moths with Chris Hartley, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Register

March 23rd Partners for Native Landscaping In-Person Workshop & Plant Sale, Maryland Heights Community Center

Noon March 24th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

6 pm March 28th Table to Garden, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Seed St. Louis Class 3 of 4 core composting series at Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville IL: Pick Your System. $12. Register

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

2 pm April 8th St. Louis Public Library program at Central Library: Plants, Pollen, and Allergies. 35 Seats remaining. Register.

April 9-11 Missouri Native Grasslands Summit, Jefferson City. $75. Register

6 pm April 18th Table to Garden, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Seed St. Louis Class 4 of 4 core composting series at Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville IL: Soil Health. $12. Register

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

8:30 am to 12:30 pm May 4th Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association Plant Sale, First Congregational Church, Webster Groves

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

9 am to 5 pm May 4th West County Daylily Club Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

9 am to 5 pm May 11th St. Louis Hosta Society Show and Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission free to St. Louis City and County residents on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

9 am to 5 pm May 12th Greater St. Louis Iris Society Show at Missouri Botanical Garden

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Two photos of chamomile. Top photo is green foliage in raised wood garden bed in winter with snow. Bottom photo is chamomile in May with many white with yellow center daisy-like flowers.

Plant of the Week: Chamomile. Beautiful and tasty flowers in summer. Winter interest from self-sowing.

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

Start Indoors This Week: Broccoli, Cabbage, Leeks, Onions (if not already)
Start Indoors First Week February: Cauliflower, Collards, Chard, Kale, Kohlrabi, Parsley
Plan your garden with NEW 2024 Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Keep Up To Date on Missouri Environmental Legislation at Missouri Coalition for the Environment’s Bill Tracker

Monarch Watch Free Milkweeds for Schools and Nonprofits Program

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

Good Reads —

The Bird That Lives in St. Louis — and Pretty Much Only St. Louis. Germans brought the Eurasian Tree Sparrow to Lafayette Park and it never left (Riverfront Times)

Wild Ones Native Garden Designs

Illinois Native Plants for the Home Landscape

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

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

Gardening and Nature Events

6:30 pm Monday, January 22nd, Missouri River Bird Observatory Zoom Winter Learning Series: Nearby nature- Trends in Urban Biodiversity From the Global to Local Scale with Trends in Urban Biodiversity Pittsburg State University. Register

Noon Wednesday, January 24th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Missouri Oak. Learn about the 21 Oak species found in various habitats across Missouri. Register

1 pm Wednesday, January 24th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Cavity Nesters and Nesting Boxes. Register

6 pm Thursday, January 25th, St. Charles Chapter Wild Ones Webinar: Cultivating Change with author and activist Lorraine Johnson. Register

7 pm Friday, January 26th, Missouri Conservation Department event at Powder Valley Nature Conservation Center, Kirkwood: An Evening with Raptors. Register

9 am to 5 pm Saturday-Sunday, January 27th-28th, Orchid Society of St. Louis Orchid Sale at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission is free to residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

9 am to 5 pm Saturday thru February 25th Orchid Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission is free to residents of St. Louis City and St. Louis County on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

10 am Saturday, January 27th St. Louis County Library, Daniel Boone Branch Library, Ellisville: Seed Swap

10 am Saturday, January 27th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Winter Tree ID. Learn how to identify trees by their twigs, fruits, and bark. 29 Tickets remaining. Register

6:30 pm January 29th Missouri River Bird Observatory Zoom Winter Learning Series: Problems with Plastic, Worse Than You Think with Rebekah Creshkoff, Beyond Plastics. Register

4 pm January 31st Grow Native! Webinar In Bloom- Successional Native Plantings for Continuous Blooms with Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, Native Landscape Specialists at Gorman Conservation Center, Kansas City. Register

10 am Saturday, January 27th, St. Louis County Public Library Seed Swap at Daniel Boone Branch, Ellisville

Noon to 5 pm Sunday, January 28th, gardening event at Steampunk Brew Works, Town & Country: STL Seeding Frenzy. Lots of companies have donated seeds. Bring seeds to share and/or donate non-perishable food, hygiene products. Mushroom growing class. Raffles.

6:30 pm January 29th Missouri River Bird Observatory Zoom Winter Learning Series: Problems with Plastic, Worse Than You Think. Register

4 pm January 31st Grow Native! Webinar: In Bloom- Successional Native Plantings for Continuous Blooms with Alix Daniel and Cydney Ross, Native Landscape Specialists at Gorman Conservation Discovery Center in Kansas City. Register

For Ages 5+. 10:30 am February 2nd Missouri Conservation Department Class at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center: Missouri’s Furbearers and the Fur Trade. 19 Seats remaining. Register.

10 am February 3rd Missouri Conservation Department event at Howard Wood Urban Outreach Office, Brightside Building, Southwest Gardens: Eagle Power. 9 Seats available. Register

Noon February 4th Piasa Sierra Club Seed Swap at Alton YMCA, Alton IL. Register

1-4:30 pm February 4th Missouri Coalition for the Environment Wild and Scenic Film Festival at The Blue Note, Columbia MO. MCE members 20% Discount. $50 VIP, $20 General Admission, $10 16 and under. Register.

9 am to 3 pm February 10th Eagle Days at Audubon Center @ Riverlands (West Alton, Missouri). Register

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am to 1 pm February 10th Friends of Belleview Farm Park: Honeysuckle Removal Workday, St. Louis County. Also see

1 pm February 10th St. Louis Public Library Class @ Central Library: Top 10 Orchids for Home. 35 Seats remaining. Register.

2 pm February 13th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Public Library Virtual Class: Starting Seedlings. Register

7 am to Noon February 14th Missouri Conservation Department class at Forest Park Hatchery: All About Trout, Lesson #1 and #2. 4 Seats remaining. Register

February 15-16th Deep Roots Kansas City 2024 Plan It Native Landscapes Conference at Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, KC. $225. Register

February 17th Seed St. Louis Community Agriculture Conference. In-Person or Virtual. $10. Register

7 pm February 20th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Native Plants for Native Pollinators with Dr. Ed Spevak, St. Louis Zoo. Register

2 pm February 21st Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: Native Plant Gardening 101 with Erin Goss, Shaw Nature Reserve. Register

6 pm February 22nd Table to Garden, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Seed St. Louis Class 1 of 4 core composting series at Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville IL: Eat Your Compost. $12. Register

3:30 pm February 23rd Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- Planning and Prepping Your Garden. Register

Ages 12+. 10 am February 24th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center: Wildlife CSI- Conservation Scene Investigation. Register

7 pm February 27th Partners for Native Landscaping Zoom Speaker Series with St. Louis County Public Library: The Social Benefits of Trees with Rebecca Hankins, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri. Register

6-8 pm Wednesdays, February 28th-April 3rd Forest ReLeaf 6 Week TreeKeepers Introductory Course at Renewable Energy Center, Maryland Hts. Register

10 am March 1st Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Walking Tour. Register

9 am to Noon March 2nd Bellefontaine Cemetery Garage Sale

10 am March 5th Bellefontaine Cemetery History & Horticulture Trolley Tour. $5. Register

10 am March 6th Bellefontaine Cemetery Springtime History & Horticulture Walking Tour. Register

March 8th-9th Midwestern Herb & Garden Show in Mount Vernon, Illinois (little over an hour drive from St. Louis City)

9 am to Noon March 9th Seed St. Louis Plant Sale: Potatoes, Strawberries, Asparagus, Mushroom Spawn, Onions.

Noon March 9th Piasa Sierra Club Seed Swap at Milton Schoolhouse, Alton IL. Register

Noon March 12th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- The Mints- Fresh Breath for Pollinators. Register

10 am March 13th Bellefontaine Cemetery Springtime History & Horticulture Walking Tour. Register

Noon March 13th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom event: Native Plants- Planting for Hummingbirds. Register

March 23rd Partners for Native Landscaping In-Person Workshop & Plant Sale, Maryland Heights Community Center

Noon March 24th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

6 pm March 28th Table to Garden, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Seed St. Louis Class 3 of 4 core composting series at Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville IL: Pick Your System. $12. Register

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

2 pm April 8th St. Louis Public Library program at Central Library: Plants, Pollen, and Allergies. 35 Seats remaining. Register.

6 pm April 18th Table to Garden, Willoughby Heritage Farm, Seed St. Louis Class 4 of 4 core composting series at Willoughby Heritage Farm, Collinsville IL: Soil Health. $12. Register

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

8:30 am to 12:30 pm May 4th Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association Plant Sale, First Congregational Church, Webster Groves

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

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

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

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

February Gardening Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems from Missouri Botanical Garden. Now is the time to sow larkspur, sweet pea, snapdragon, Shirley poppy seeds!

February Garden To Do List from P. Allen Smith

Thru February 26 Orchid Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Tickets

Thru Sunday- Audubon Society Bows for Birds Challenge. Where: Missouri Botanical Garden, Forest Park, Lafayette Park, Bellerive Park, Powder Valley Conservation… Prizes include Tickets for Big Muddy Adventures, Alpine Shop, Cardinals Baseball…

Seed St. Louis Seed Starting Class on YouTube

Start cauliflower, chard, collards, kale, kohlrabi, parsley seeds indoors this week. Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

4 pm Wednesday Grow Native! Webinar: Meaningful Design and Stewardship of Native Landscapes With Missouri Conservation Department Native Landscape Specialists. Register

6 pm Thursday Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Jump Starting the Growing Season. Register

10 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept Nature Hike: Ellis Island has Eagles and Swans and Geese, Oh My. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, meet at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, East of Hwy 67, West Alton. 12 Tickets remaining. Register

6 pm Feb 6th Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class: Invasive Species- Identify and Manage Exotic Invasive Plants. Learn how to identify and manage exotic invasive plants. 33 Tickets remaining. Register

Register for 8 am to 3 pm Feb 11th Seed St. Louis Community Agriculture Conference, In Person and Virtual. $15 but scholarships available. Keynote Presentation: Soul Farmer, Tyrean “Heru” Lewis. Sessions: Growing Mushrooms at Home, Help Pollinators & Increase Your Harvest, Wild Edibles of Missouri, Growing Microgreens 101, Schoolyard Animal Husbandry, Free Plants in the Kitchen Garden, Lacto Ferment Your Garden Produce for Better Gut Health, What is Therapeutic Horticulture?, Land Trust Garden Update

Feb 11th Eagle Days at Audubon Center at Riverlands, West Alton (Not Chain of Rocks Bridge). Register

11 am Feb 14th For Kids, 3-6 Year Olds. Missouri Conservation Dept program at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center. Conservation Kids: You and Me under the Canopy- Making Tracks. Register

1 pm Feb 14th Missouri Conservation Dept Online Class- Native Plants: Plant Romance. “All registrants for this event must be between 14 and 120 years of age by 2/14/2023.” Register

4 pm Feb 15th Grow Native Zoom Master Class: Practical Magic for Pondscapes. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

Hey, teachers & parents 6 pm February 15th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: School Garden Design. Start planning now for September-May 2023-2024 school gardens. Register

Volunteers Wanted 9 am Feb 25th for Forest ReLeaf Pruning at Penrose Park. Register

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

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

9 am to Noon April 1st Seed St. Louis Spring Plant Sale @ Carriage House, 3815 Bell. Arrive early for best selection. Bring a box lid to carry your plants. $4 seedling 6-packs: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Bok Choy, Collards, Dinosaur Kale, Lettuce. More Info

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

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday with host @stl7thward to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.

This Week In Gardening & Nature

Photo of white Amaryllis bloom growing as houseplant in Missouri

Sunday thru February 26 Orchid Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Tickets

Thru Feb 5th- Audubon Society Bows for Birds Challenge. Where: Missouri Botanical Garden, Forest Park, Lafayette Park, Bellerive Park, Powder Valley Conservation… Prizes include Tickets for Big Muddy Adventures, Alpine Shop, Cardinals Baseball…

Start broccoli, brussels sprout, cabbage, leek, onion seeds indoors this week. Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

6 pm Thursday Seed St. Louis Webinar: Tree Saps & Syrups. Register

10 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept Online Class- Native Plants: Winter Beauty. Register

10 am Saturday Seed Swap at Old Six Mile Historical Society, Granite City, Illinois

7 pm Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: An Evening with Raptors. Register

4 pm Feb 1st Grow Native! Webinar: Meaningful Design and Stewardship of Native Landscapes With Missouri Conservation Department Native Landscape Specialists. Register

6 pm Feb 2nd Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Jump Starting the Growing Season. Register

10 am Feb 4th Missouri Conservation Dept Nature Hike: Ellis Island has Eagles and Swans and Geese, Oh My. Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, meet at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, East of Hwy 67, West Alton. 20 Tickets remaining. Register

6 pm Feb 6th Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class: Invasive Species- Identify and Manage Exotic Invasive Plants. Learn how to identify and manage exotic invasive plants. Register

Feb 11th Eagle Days at Audubon Center at Riverlands, West Alton (Not Chain of Rocks Bridge). Register

11 am Feb 14th For Kids, 3-6 Year Olds. Missouri Conservation Dept program at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center. Conservation Kids: You and Me under the Canopy- Making Tracks. Register

4 pm Feb 15th Grow Native Zoom Master Class: Practical Magic for Pondscapes. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

Register for 8 am to 3 pm Feb 11th Seed St. Louis Community Agriculture Conference, In Person and Virtual. $15 but scholarships available. Keynote Presentation: Soul Farmer, Tyrean “Heru” Lewis. Sessions: Growing Mushrooms at Home, Help Pollinators & Increase Your Harvest, Wild Edibles of Missouri, Growing Microgreens 101, Schoolyard Animal Husbandry, Free Plants in the Kitchen Garden, Lacto Ferment Your Garden Produce for Better Gut Health, What is Therapeutic Horticulture?, Land Trust Garden Update

Volunteers Wanted 9 am Feb 25th for Forest ReLeaf Pruning at Penrose Park. Register

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

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday with host @stl7thward to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Photo of lemon balm coming back from winter pruning

Start broccoli, brussels sprout seeds indoors this week. Plan your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

Some of you received orchid plants as gifts recently or picked one up from the discount stand/table at a big box. Here’s some tips from P. Allen Smith on caring for orchid plants.

A cool Berries of North America video

6 pm Tuesday Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Glade Ecology and Restoration. Register. More info on Glades

Noon Wednesday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Wonderful Woodpeckers. Register

4 pm Wednesday Grow Native! Online Master Class: Gardening on the Shady Side. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation ie members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

Noon Thursday Deep Roots Kansas City’s Virtual Event: Native Plants at Noon. Register

4 pm Jan 23rd Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Homemade Suet Bird Feeders. Register

6 pm Jan 26th Seed St. Louis Webinar: Tree Saps & Syrups. Register

5 pm Jan 24th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Introduction to the Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb 17-20) 27 Tickets remaining. Register. More on GBBC

7 pm Jan 27th Missouri Conservation Dept event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: An Evening with Raptors. Register

January 28–February 26 Orchid Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Tickets

4 pm Feb 1st Grow Native! Webinar: Meaningful Design and Stewardship of Native Landscapes With Missouri Conservation Department Native Landscape Specialists. Register

6 pm Feb 2nd Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Jump Starting the Growing Season. Register

6 pm Feb 6th Missouri Department of Conservation Virtual Class: Invasive Species- Identify and Manage Exotic Invasive Plants. Learn how to identify and manage exotic invasive plants. Register

Feb 11th Eagle Days at Audubon Center at Riverlands, West Alton (Not Chain of Rocks Bridge). Register

Register for 8 am to 3 pm Feb 11th Seed St. Louis Community Agriculture Conference, In Person and Virtual. $15 but scholarships available. Keynote Presentation: Soul Farmer, Tyrean “Heru” Lewis. Sessions: Growing Mushrooms at Home, Help Pollinators & Increase Your Harvest, Wild Edibles of Missouri, Growing Microgreens 101, Schoolyard Animal Husbandry, Free Plants in the Kitchen Garden, Lacto Ferment Your Garden Produce for Better Gut Health, What is Therapeutic Horticulture?, Land Trust Garden Update

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

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday with host @stl7thward to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Pink and white Amaryllis flowers, potted houseplant

Sunday Deadline for Ordering Online from Seed St. Louis Annual Seed Packet Sale: $0.25-$1.00 each for veggie, fruit, herb, flower seed packets- for Pick Up Jan 21st

Sunday Application Deadline. Hey, teachers and parents of school gardeners, community gardens, public park gardeners: Grow Native Missouri Native Plant Prairie Garden Grants

Jan 16th Deadline for St. Louis County residents to recycle holiday trees at four locations

Gardening by Month- January. Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems from Missouri Botanical Garden

Start planning your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

6 pm Thursday Seed St. Louis Webinar Seed Starting. Register

6 pm Friday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Winter Wetland Birds. Register

10:30 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Biodiversity in Your Backyard. Register

1 pm Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept event at Stupp Center, Tower Grove Park: Art in the Park: Canvas & Cocoa. Theme- cardinal in a winter tree scene. Suitable for Teens-Adults. Register

Noon Jan 18th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Wonderful Woodpeckers. Register

4 pm Jan 18th Grow Native! Online Master Class: Gardening on the Shady Side. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation ie members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

Noon Jan 19th Deep Roots Kansas City’s Virtual Event: Native Plants at Noon. Register

7 pm Jan 22nd Missouri Conservation Dept event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: An Evening with Raptors. Register

4 pm Jan 23rd Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Homemade Suet Bird Feeders. Register

6 pm Jan 26th Seed St. Louis Webinar: Tree Saps & Syrups. Register

January 28–February 26 Orchid Show at Missouri Botanical Garden. Tickets

6 pm Feb 2nd Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Jump Starting the Growing Season. Register

Next horticulture tour at Bellefontaine Cemetery? 10 am March 1st Horticultural Tour at Bellefontaine Cemetery: Bellefontaine in Bloom. 2 Hour Walking Tour with Master Guide. Register

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday with host @stl7thward to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Photo of four dwarf canna plants growing indoors in a clay pot. They look like corn stalks.

St. Louis City residents have until January 9th to recycle holiday trees at three locations.

Neighboring counties tree recycling and other holiday recycling info.

Gardening by Month- January. Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems from Missouri Botanical Garden

Start planning your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

4 pm Tuesday Craft Project for K-3 Kids at Machacek Library, Lindenwood: Paper Plate Bird Feeder

Noon Wednesday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Winter Bloomers- Witch Hazel. Register

4 pm Wednesday Grow Native Missouri Zoom Master Class: Landscaping with Native Wetland Plants. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

6:30 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Sunrise Hike to Watch for Eagles at the Confluence. 12 Tickets remaining. Register

9 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Dresser Island Hike. Register

6 pm Jan 12th Seed St. Louis Webinar Seed Starting. Register

6 pm Jan 13th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Winter Wetland Birds. Register

10:30 am Jan 14th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Biodiversity in Your Backyard. Register

Jan 15th Deadline for Ordering Online from Seed St. Louis Annual Seed Packet Sale: $0.25-$1.00 each for veggie, fruit, herb, flower seed packets- for Pick Up Jan 21st

Jan 15th Application Deadline. Hey, teachers and parents of school gardeners, community gardens, public park gardeners: Grow Native Missouri Native Plant Prairie Garden Grants

Noon Jan 18th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Wonderful Woodpeckers. Register

4 pm Jan 18th Grow Native! Online Master Class: Gardening on the Shady Side. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation ie members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

Noon Jan 19th Deep Roots Kansas City’s Virtual Event: Native Plants at Noon. Register

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday with host @stl7thward to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Holiday/Christmas Cactus tips from P. Allen Smith

Want to attract birds to your yard but not invasive Starlings? Here are some ideas.

Thru Friday Sachs Butterfly House special event, Chesterfield: Winter Jewels: An Enchanted Celebration. Tickets

Cabin Fever Cure in St. Louis. Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden is a tropical getaway during winter (or any time). MoBot admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Jan 15th Deadline for Ordering Online from Seed St. Louis Annual Seed Packet Sale: $0.25-$1.00 each for veggie, fruit, herb, flower seed packets- for Pick Up Jan 21st

Jan 15th Application Deadline. Hey, teachers and parents of school gardeners, community gardens, public park gardeners: Grow Native Missouri Native Plant Prairie Garden Grants

Register for 8 am to 3 pm Feb 11th Seed St. Louis Community Agriculture Conference, In Person and Virtual. $15 but scholarships available. Keynote Presentation: Soul Farmer, Tyrean “Heru” Lewis. Sessions: Growing Mushrooms at Home, Help Pollinators & Increase Your Harvest, Wild Edibles of Missouri, Growing Microgreens 101, Schoolyard Animal Husbandry, Free Plants in the Kitchen Garden, Lacto Ferment Your Garden Produce for Better Gut Health, What is Therapeutic Horticulture?, Land Trust Garden Update

Start planning your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

9 am Tuesday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Winter Backyard Bird Watching. Register

4 pm Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept special event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: New Year’s Eve Walk to the Confluence. 11 Tickets remaining. Register

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday with host @stl7thward to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

white Kalanchoe blooms with green leaves

Thru Dec 30th Sachs Butterfly House special event, Chesterfield: Winter Jewels: An Enchanted Celebration. Tickets

Annual Seed St. Louis Seed Packet Sale: Order Online– $0.25-$1.00 each for veggie, fruit, herb, flower seed packets- for Pick Up Jan 21st

Reminder: Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden is a magical great getaway during winter (or any time) and MoBot admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Hey, teachers and parents of school gardeners, community gardens, public park gardeners: Jan 15th Application Deadline for Grow Native Missouri Native Plant Prairie Garden Grants

Start planning your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

Looking for something to do outdoors over the holidays? Visit Brightside St. Louis Demonstration Garden

6:30 pm Tuesday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Missouri’s Prairie Communities. Register

11 am Wednesday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Feeding the Birds. Register

4 pm Wednesday Grow Native Missouri Webinar: Restoring Home: The Journey Back to Native. Register

9 am Dec 27th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Winter Backyard Bird Watching. Register

4 pm Dec 31st Missouri Conservation Dept special event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: New Year’s Eve Walk to the Confluence. 11 Tickets remaining. Register

4 pm Jan 3rd Craft Project for K-3 Kids at Machacek Library, Lindenwood: Paper Plate Bird Feeder

Noon Jan 4th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Winter Bloomers- Witch Hazel. Register

4 pm Jan 4th Grow Native Missouri Zoom Master Class: Landscaping with Native Wetland Plants. Free to Missouri Prairie Foundation members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

6:30 am Jan 7th Missouri Conservation Dept event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Sunrise Hike to Watch for Eagles at the Confluence. 12 Tickets remaining. Register

9 am Jan 7th Missouri Conservation Dept event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: Dresser Island Hike. Register

6 pm Jan 12th Seed St. Louis Webinar Seed Starting. Register

6 pm Jan 13th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Winter Wetland Birds. Register

10:30 am Jan 14th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Biodiversity in Your Backyard. Register

Noon Jan 18th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Wonderful Woodpeckers. Register

Noon Jan 19th Deep Roots Kansas City’s Virtual Event: Native Plants at Noon. Register

4 pm Jan 23rd Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Homemade Suet Bird Feeders. Register

6 pm Jan 26th Seed St. Louis Webinar: Tree Saps & Syrups. Register

7 pm Jan 22nd Missouri Conservation Dept event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center: An Evening with Raptors. Register

Register for 8 am to 3 pm Feb 11th Seed St. Louis Community Agriculture Conference, In Person and Virtual. $15 but scholarships available. Keynote Presentation: Soul Farmer, Tyrean “Heru” Lewis. Sessions: Growing Mushrooms at Home, Help Pollinators & Increase Your Harvest, Wild Edibles of Missouri, Growing Microgreens 101, Schoolyard Animal Husbandry, Free Plants in the Kitchen Garden, Lacto Ferment Your Garden Produce for Better Gut Health, What is Therapeutic Horticulture?, Land Trust Garden Update

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday with host @stl7thward to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Photo of African Violets in tea cup and saucer planter. Flowers are purple and white purple accents

Annual Seed St. Louis Seed Packet Sale: Order Online– $0.25-$1.00 each for veggie, fruit, herb, flower seed packets- for Pick Up Dec 17th or Jan 21

Reminder: Climatron at Missouri Botanical Garden is a magical great getaway during winter (or any time) and MoBot admission is free to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Start planning your 2023 Garden with Seed St. Louis Seed Starting/Planting Calendar

Thru Dec 30th Sachs Butterfly House special event, Chesterfield: Winter Jewels: An Enchanted Celebration. Tickets

1:30 pm Tuesday Leaf Walk at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Master Guide led walking tour. Register

10 am Wednesday Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Program: Attracting and ID Winter Birds. Register

Noon Thursday Deep Roots Kansas City virtual event: Native Plants at Noon on the Road with Missouri Conservation Dept. Register

4 pm Friday Missouri Conservation Dept events at Tower Grove Park
Discovering Night Walk. Might see owls. 18 Tickets remaining. Register
Family Craft Night @ Stupp Center. 21 Tickets remaining. Register

9:30 am Saturday Missouri Conservation Dept event at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Area, Kirkwood: Breakfast with the Birds. Only 4 Tickets remaining. Register

6:30 pm Dec 20th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Missouri’s Prairie Communities. Register

11 am Dec 21st Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Feeding the Birds. Register

4 pm Dec 21st Grow Native Missouri Webinar: Restoring Home: The Journey Back to Native. Register

9 am Dec 27th Missouri Conservation Dept Virtual Event: Winter Backyard Bird Watching. Register

4 pm Dec 31st Missouri Conservation Dept special event at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area: New Year’s Eve Walk to the Confluence. 12 Tickets remaining. Register

4 pm Jan 3rd Craft Project for K-3 Kids at Machacek Library, Lindenwood: Paper Plate Bird Feeder

6 pm Jan 12th Seed St. Louis Webinar Seed Starting. Register

6 pm Jan 26th Seed St. Louis Webinar: Tree Saps & Syrups. Register

Register for 8 am to 3 pm Feb 11th Seed St. Louis Community Agriculture Conference, In Person and Virtual. $15 but scholarships available. Keynote Presentation: Soul Farmer, Tyrean “Heru” Lewis. Sessions: Growing Mushrooms at Home, Help Pollinators & Increase Your Harvest, Wild Edibles of Missouri, Growing Microgreens 101, Schoolyard Animal Husbandry, Free Plants in the Kitchen Garden, Lacto Ferment Your Garden Produce for Better Gut Health, What is Therapeutic Horticulture?, Land Trust Garden Update

Join us Sundays on Twitter for #GardenSunday with host @stl7thward to interact with other outdoor and indoor gardeners and nature enthusiasts, ask questions, give answers, share photos.