Candidate Qualifications Page Updated

Photo of U.S. President Harry Truman holding up newspaper November 3, 1948, at Union Station St. Louis, with headline "Dewey Defeats Truman"

Updates have been made to this blog’s Missouri & St. Louis City Candidate Age & Residency Qualifications page.

Where to file, nominating petitions, Presidential Caucus/Primary, more, have been added.

Filing Begins February 27, 2024 and ends March 26, 2024 for the following offices affecting St. Louis City…

St. Louis City County Offices: Circuit Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer.

State legislative offices: all Missouri House seats and 5th District Missouri Senate (currently held by accused rapist Steve Roberts Jr.)

Statewide offices: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General

Federal offices: U.S. President, one U.S. Senate seat, and all U.S. House seats including 1st District seat, currently held by Cori Bush. I have supported Cori since her first run for public office, donate to her campaign, so hell yeah I am going to promote her here.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Photo of Aromatic Aster with Common Checkered Skipper on a flower.

Plant of the Week: Aromatic Aster

Fall Tree Color Reports: Missouri (Peak color in SE Mo Bootheel, past peak elsewhere) and Illinois

Missouri Prairie Foundation is selling “Leave The Leaves” signs for $20 each

It’s never too early to start planning your 2024 Garden: Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Good Reads —

Gardening by Month: November Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems (Missouri Botanical Garden)

Garden Tasks for Fall video (Seed St. Louis)

These American birds and dozens more will be renamed, to remove human monikers: “the American Ornithological Society has vowed to change the English names of all bird species currently named after people, along with any other bird names deemed offensive or exclusionary. (NPR Morning Edition)

Leave the leaves! Missouri Department of Conservation says to leave behind some of the leaves on your lawn this autumn (KY3)

(paywall) Agricultural weedkillers are slowly killing trees across Missouri and Illinois, scientists, state workers and landowners say (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

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)

Order Tree Seedlings now for shipping in February from Missouri Conservation Department

Gardening and Nature Events —

3:30 pm Tuesday, November 7th, Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Backyard Birds, Project FeederWatch. Register

9 am to 3:30 pm Wednesday, November 8th, Grow Native! Professionals Conference @ University of Missouri- Columbia. $20 per person for Grow Native! professional members (and their staff). Zoom option: $30 for non-members. Register

1:30 pm Wednesday, November 8th, Bellefontaine Cemetery Leaf Walk. 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. Register

6:30 pm Wednesday, Nov 8th, St. Louis County Library, Grant’s View Branch, In Person Class: Beginner Food Preservation. Covers Canning, Dehydrating, Fermentation, Pickling. Register

4 pm Friday, November 10th, Missouri Botanical Garden In Person Event at Visitor Center: Dr. Shahina Ghazanfar will present the 2023 John Dwyer Lecture in Biology on her book “Plants of the Quran: History and Culture.”

Noon to 3 pm Sunday, November 12th, Missouri Prairie Foundation Friends of Cuivre River State Park Grasslands Work Day, Lincoln County Mo. Register

10 am November 14th Bellefontaine Cemetery Trolley Tour: 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. $5. Register.

10 am November 15th Seed St. Louis & St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Edible Landscaping. Register

For Kids 0-7 years. 10 am November 16th Missouri Conservation Department Conservation Kids event at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center: You and me under the Canopy: Talkin’ Turkeys. Learn about some common backyard birds, then create felt ornaments to take home. Must be at least age 16. 15 Seats remaining. Register

Noon November 16th Deep Roots Kansas City Native Plants at Noon Zoom event. Register

1:30 pm November 16th Bellefontaine Cemetery Leaf Walk. 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. Register

4 pm November 16th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Backyard Bird Feeding. Register

10 am November 18th Bellefontaine Cemetery Trolley Tour: 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. $5. Register.

November 18th thru January 6th Garden Glow at Missouri Botanical Garden. Tickets

10 am November 19th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center: The Science & Art of Soapmaking. Class is full but Register for Waiting List

1:30 pm November 22nd Bellefontaine Cemetery Leaf Walk. 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. Register

4 pm November 22nd Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar: Ecology & Management of Missouri’s Woodland Communities. Register

1 pm November 24th Missouri Conservation Department Walk off the Turkey and Pumpkin Pie Hike at Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, St. Louis County. 11 Tickets remaining. Register

10 am November 28th Bellefontaine Cemetery Trolley Tour: 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. $5. Register.

6 pm November 29th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Whacky Woodpeckers. Register

1 pm November 30th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Black Bears of Missouri. Register

1:30 pm November 30th Bellefontaine Cemetery Leaf Walk. 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. Register

6 pm November 30th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Tree Saps & Syrups. Register

6:30 November 30th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Attracting Backyard Birds. Register

8 am December 2nd St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

9 am December 2nd Forest ReLeaf Christy Greenway Tree Planting, Old St. Marcus Cemetery Park. Register

10 am December 7th Seed St. Louis and St. Louis County Library Zoom Class: Tree Saps & Syrups. Register

Noon December 13th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Winter Woodpeckers. Register

10 am December 16th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Nature Art- Felt Bird Ornaments. Registration Opens November 1st. Register

2 pm December 19th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Creature Feature- River Otter. Register

10 am December 20-29th Missouri Botanical Garden holiday break fun for kids: Budding Scientist- Celebrate Urban Birds. $3 each child. Register

1 pm December 20-29th Missouri Botanical Garden holiday break fun for kids: Budding Scientist- Celebrate Urban Birds. $3 each child. Register

January 27th 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.

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

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Snapdragons. White with purple edges and yellow centers.

Plant of the Week: Snapdragons

Seed St. Louis Shallot Sale. Order Online by Thursday for Saturday, October 14th Pick Up at Carriage House, 3815 Bell Ave. Shallot Grow Guide

Fall Tree Color Reports: Missouri and Illinois

Good Reads —

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

October Garden To Do List (P. Allen Smith)

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)

Order Tree Seedlings now for shipping in February from Missouri Conservation Department

Gardening and Nature Events —

Volunteers Wanted. Plant It Forward @ Tower Grove Park 9 am to Noon Tuesday, October 10th and 9 am to Noon Thursday, October 12th

10 am Tuesday, October 10th, Bellefontaine Cemetery Trolley Tour: 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. $5. Register.

10 am Wednesday, October 11th, Bellefontaine Cemetery Arboretum Walking Tour. 2 Hour Horticulture guided tour. Register

4 pm Wednesday, October 11th, Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar- Dicamba and 2,4-D; Old Herbicides Causing New Problems. Register

1:30 pm Thursday, October 12th, Bellefontaine Cemetery Leaf Walk. 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. Register

2 pm Thursday, October 12th, Seed St. Louis & St. Louis County Public Library Zoom Class: Container Gardening. Register

6 pm Thursday, October 12th, Seed St. Louis Great Fall Wrap Up Zoom Event. How best to clean up and prep your garden, what to compost, what to throw away. How to clean up the area around your garden in order to look tidy while still supporting our local bees and other insects. How to prep your soil for next spring. Register

10 am October 28th Missouri Conservation Department Beginner Watercolor Class at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, Kirkwood: Watercolor Painting: Fall Leaves and Trees. 6 Seats remaining. Register

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am Saturday, October 14th, Forest ReLeaf Beckett Park Memorial Tree Stewardship Day, Lewis Place Neighborhood. Help honor 25 families and their loved ones lost to gun violence by caring for trees planted in their memory. Register

8:30 am Sunday, October 15th, St. Louis Audubon Society Youth & Family Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

5-7:30 pm October 16th Missouri Conservation Department Fishing Lessons 1 & 2 (gear, casting, fish handling, knot tying, baiting) at Forest Park Fish Hatchery. Gear provided. 13 Seats remaining. Register

2 pm October 17th information session at Bellefontaine Cemetery, Hotchkiss Chapel: What is Green Burial? Register

Volunteers Wanted. Plant It Forward @ Tower Grove Park 9 am to Noon October 17th, 9 am to Noon October 18th, and 9 am to Noon October 19th

3:30 pm October 18th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Trees- Fall Color. Find out what causes leaves to change color, which plants have the showiest color, and some great places to visit this fall. Register

For Kids 0-7 years. 4 pm October 19th Missouri Conservation Conservation Kids event at Tower Grove Park: You and me under the Canopy- Sly Critters. Register

1:30 pm October 20th Bellefontaine Cemetery Leaf Walk. 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. Register

3 pm October 20th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Birds of Missouri. Find out great places in Missouri to view Fall migration and for winter birdwatching season. Register

9 am October 21st Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Where Can I? — Birdwatch. Register

10 am October 21st Bellefontaine Cemetery Trolley Tour: 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. $5. Register

1 pm October 21st Missouri Prairie Foundation Members Field Trip: Bellefontaine Cemetery Fall Tree Walk

6-8 pm October 21st Stargazing at Tower Grove Park

2-5 pm October 22nd Fall Frolic at Tower Grove Park with Missouri Conservation Department. Discover all the flora and fauna that live in St. Louis region through autumn-centric activity stations and wildlife encounters.

10 am October 24th Bellefontaine Cemetery Trolley Tour: 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. $5. Register

6 pm October 24th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Bats of Missouri. Register

4 pm October 25th Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Class: Show Me Tarantulas! The Ecology of Aphonopelma hentzi in Missouri Glades. Register

9 am October 26th information session at Bellefontaine Cemetery, Hotchkiss Chapel: What is Green Burial? Register

3-6 pm October 28th Missouri Conservation Department Dutch Oven Cooking Class at Tower Grove Park. Bring law chairs. Must be at least 7 years of age. 12 Seats remaining. Register

1:30 pm October 31st Bellefontaine Cemetery Leaf Walk. 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. Register

9 am November 1st Missouri Conservation Department Project FeederWatch Virtual Kickoff. Help Cornell Lab track birds. Register

1:30 pm November 2nd Bellefontaine Cemetery Leaf Walk. 2 Hour Horticulture & History guided tour. Register

7:45 am to Noon November 4th Bellefontaine Cemetery Coyote Crawl 5K and Head for the Hills 10K Run/Walk. Register

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

Volunteers Wanted. 9 am November 4th Forest ReLeaf North Riverfront Fall Tree Planting, North Entrance @ North Riverfront Park. Register

3:30 pm November 7th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Backyard Birds, Project FeederWatch. Register

9 am to 3:30 pm November 8th Grow Native! Professionals Conference @ University of Missouri- Columbia. $20 per person for Grow Native! professional members (and their staff). Zoom option: $30 for non-members. Register

Noon to 3 pm November 12th Missouri Prairie Foundation Friends of Cuivre River State Park Grasslands Work Day, Lincoln County Mo. Register

4 pm November 16th Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Backyard Bird Feeding. Register

10 am November 19th Missouri Conservation Department In Person Class at Tower Grove Park, Stupp Center: The Science & Art of Soapmaking. Registration Opens November 1st: Register

6 pm November 29th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Whacky Woodpeckers. Register

9 am December 2nd Forest ReLeaf Christy Greenway Tree Planting, Old St. Marcus Cemetery Park. Register

10 am December 16th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Nature Art- Felt Bird Ornaments. Registration Opens November 1st. Register

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Persimmon Tree

Tree Specific Events —

3-6 pm Friday, October 6th, Forest ReLeaf Native Tree Giveaway at Scott Joplin House, 2700 Samuel Shepard Dr

1 pm October 21st Missouri Prairie Foundation Members Field Trip: Bellefontaine Cemetery Fall Tree Walk

Nonprofits: Order Free 3 Gallon Native Trees & Shrubs from Forest ReLeaf and Project CommuniTree

Order Tree Seedlings now for shipping in February from Missouri Conservation Department

Fall Color Reports: Missouri and Illinois

Good Reads —

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

October Garden To Do List (P. Allen Smith)

How long does spaghetti squash last? Everything you need to know (Food Champs)

Brussels Sprouts, Prolong Fall Harvest (University of Missouri County Extension)

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)

How to Divide and Transplant Perennials in Fall (P. Allen Smith)

Missouri colleges expand cannabis programs to prepare students for ‘green jobs’ (Missouri Independent) Info on St. Louis Community College Horticulture program which includes three cannabis related classes

General Gardening and Nature Events —

Volunteers Wanted for Plant It Forward @ Tower Grove Park 9 am to Noon Tuesday, October 3rd and 9 am to Noon Thursday, October 5th

1:30 pm Tuesday, October 3rd, Leaf Walk Horticulture & History Guided Tour at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Register

4:30 pm Tuesday, October 3rd, Seed St. Louis Fall School Gardener Meet-Up with Perennial Plant & Seed Swap at Mallinkcrodt School, Lindenwood. Register

1 pm Wednesday, October 4th, Arboretum Walking Tour at Bellefontaine Cemetery. Register

1 pm Friday, October 6th, Missouri Conservation Department Online Class- Wild Edibles, May the Forage be With You. Register. Also see Jan Phillips “Wild Edibles of Missouri” pdf

Friday, Saturday, Sunday, October 6th-8th, Missouri Botanical Garden Best of Missouri Market. I know Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will be there but unsure about others.

8 am Saturday, October 7th, St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk at Forest Park. Register

9 am to Noon Saturday, October 7th, Seed St. Louis Garlic & More Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell: Hardneck Garlic ‘Music’, Softneck Garlic ‘Inchelium Red’, Red Shallots, Walking Onions plus row cover, hoops, sod staples. Seed St. Louis Planting Guides: Softneck Garlic, Hardneck Garlic, Shallots

Volunteers Wanted for Plant It Forward @ Tower Grove Park 9 am to Noon Tuesday, October 10th and 9 am to Noon Thursday, October 12th

4 pm October 11th Missouri Prairie Foundation Webinar- Dicamba and 2,4-D; Old Herbicides Causing New Problems. Register

6 pm October 12th Seed St. Louis Great Fall Wrap Up Zoom Event. How best to clean up and prep your garden, what to compost, what to throw away. How to clean up the area around your garden in order to look tidy while still supporting our local bees and other insects. How to prep your soil for next spring. Register

8:30 am October 15th St. Louis Audubon Society Youth & Family Beginner Bird Walk at Tower Grove Park. Register

9 am to 3:30 pm November 8th Grow Native! Professionals Conference @ University of Missouri- Columbia. $20 per person for Grow Native! professional members (and their staff). Zoom option: $30 for non-members. Register

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

Upcoming St. Louis Area Plant Sales

yellow with orange center daffodils with test: Blooming Soon! Bulb Sale, Order Today, BrightsideSTL.org/online-store

Nonprofits: Order Free 3 Gallon Native Trees & Shrubs from Forest ReLeaf and Project CommuniTree

Order Tree Seedlings now for shipping in February from Missouri Conservation Department

3:30-6:30 pm September 21st, Grow Native! Native Plant Sale at St. Louis Community College @ Meramec. Vendors include Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling, Ozark Soul, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, River City Natives.

3:30-6:30 pm September 28th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale @ Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County. Vendors include Gaylena’s Garden, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, Papillon Perennials, River City Natives.

September 29th Deadline to Order Daffodils and Tulips from Brightside St. Louis Blooming Soon Sale. Pick Up will be October 6th-7th at Forest Park Greenhouse (or mailed if you want to pay for that option.

10 am to 2 pm October 1st St. Louis Audubon Society Bring Conservation Home Native Plant Sale at Tower Grove Park. Vendors include Forrest Keeling, River City Natives, Missouri Wildflowers Nursery, Papillon Perennials.

3-6 pm October 6th Forest ReLeaf Native Tree Giveaway at Scott Joplin House, 2700 Samuel Shepard Dr

October 6th-8th Missouri Botanical Garden Best of Missouri Market. I know Missouri Wildflowers Nursery will be there but unsure about others. No vendor list yet. Also not sure whether St. Louis City & County residents get the usual free admission on Saturday morning (because City and County taxpayers publicly finance MoBot). Admission fee may apply.

9 am to Noon October 7th Seed St. Louis Garlic & More Sale at Carriage House, 3815 Bell: Hardneck Garlic ‘Music’, Softneck Garlic ‘Inchelium Red’, Red Shallots, Walking Onions plus row cover, hoops, sod staples.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Blue Sage

Order Brightside St. Louis Daffodil & Tulip Bulbs Online for October Pick Up: Carlton Daffodil Bulbs 30 @ $15; Midwest Mix Daffodil Bulbs 30 @ $17; Brightside Red Tulip Bulbs 30 @ $17; Pink Impressions Tulip Bulb: 30 @ $17

St. Louis Area Upcoming Plant Sales List– Native Plants, Pretties

Download the Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Sept 1st Deadline to enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources 2023 Photo Contest Categories: Natural Resources; Unique Places: state parks and historic sites; People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors.

—– Good Reads

Tips on Storing Tomatoes from University of Missouri County Extension Service

Noticing leaves and stems disappearing on your tomato or tomatillo plants? You’ve got hornworms and here’s some advice from Missouri Botanical Garden

Turn up the flavor and nutrition by planting turnips

August-September is prime time for iris division and planting. More information on iris from Greater St. Louis Iris Society

———- Events

Noon Tuesday, August 15th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Outdoor Skills- Reading the River. Learn the fundamentals of how to travel down a waterway safely. Register

4 pm Wednesday, August 16th Grow Native! Webinar: Learning to Grow Native- Four Seasons of Transformation in a Residential Landscape. Register

5:30 pm Thursday, August 17th Sunset Stroll @ Bellefontaine Cemetery: 2 Hour Horticulture & History Guided Waking Tour. Register

10 am Saturday, August 19th Seed St. Louis Tasting the Rainbow Class: Garden Recipes for Kids at Bell Garden. Register

10 am Saturday, August 19th Bellefontaine Cemetery Trolley Tour: 2 Hour Guided Horticulture & History Tour. $5. Register

11:30 am Saturday, August 19th Seed St. Louis Tomato Tasting & Potluck at Bell Garden. Register

5 pm Saturday, August 19th Missouri Prairie Foundation Annual Dinner & Auction, Stoney Creek Hotel, Columbia. Tickets

August 26th Washington County 14th Annual Home Grown Farm Tour

8 am August 26th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk @ Sunset Greenway, Florissant, St. Louis County. Register

9 am to Noon August 26th Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

10 am August 26th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Native Plants- What’s Blooming? Register

Noon to 5 pm August 27th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

2 pm August 29th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Creature Feature- Kingsnakes. Register

6:30 pm August 29th Mid Continent Public Library (Kansas City area) Zoom Event: Monarch Mania. Register

August 30th to September 4th Greater St. Louis Daylily Society Online Sale & Auction

4 pm August 30th Grow Native! Webinar: Soft Landings- Providing Year-Round Sanctuary for Pollinators. Register

6 pm August 31st Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Season Extension and Winter Gardening. Register

8 am September 2nd St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk @ Forest Park. Register

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

8 am September 9th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk @ Mississippi Greenway, Cliff Cave Park, St. Louis County. Register

10 am to 2 pm September 9th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Wild Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park, St. Louis County

10 am to 5 pm September 16th Old North St. Louis House & Garden Tour + Arts Festival at Crown Square. Tickets

2 pm September 16th EcoTones Urban Prairie Concert at Bellefontaine Cemetery. $10-$50. Tickets

5:30 pm September 18th Missouri Prairie Foundation Guided Hike of Deer Lake Savanna in Forest Park. Register

3:30-6:30 pm September 21st Grow Native! Native Plant Sale at St. Louis Community College @ Meramec

8 am September 23rd St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk @ Meramec Greenway, Al Foster Trailhead, Wildwood, St. Louis County. Register

6 pm September 28th Kiener Plaza Tree Walk & Talk with Forest ReLeaf

3:30-6:30 pm September 28th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale @ Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County

1 pm October 21st Missouri Prairie Foundation Members Field Trip: Bellefontaine Cemetery Fall Tree Walk

9 am to 3:30 pm November 8th Grow Native! Professionals Conference @ University of Missouri- Columbia. $20 per person for Grow Native! professional members (and their staff). Zoom option: $30 for non-members. Register

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

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Plant of the Week: Obedient Plant (False Dragonhead)

New St. Louis Area Upcoming Plant Sales List– Vegetable Seedlings, Native Plants, Pretties

Order Brightside St. Louis Daffodil & Tulip Bulbs Online for October Pick Up

Download the Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar

Gardening by Month from Missouri Botanical Garden: August Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems

Know a great tree steward? August 7th Deadline to submit Nominations for Arbor Award of Excellence

Sept 1st Deadline to enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources 2023 Photo Contest Categories: Natural Resources, Unique Places: state parks and historic sites; People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors.

—– Good Reads

Noticing leaves and stems disappearing on your tomato or tomatillo plants? You’ve got hornworms and here’s some advice from Missouri Botanical Garden

August-September is prime time for iris division and planting. More information on iris from Greater St. Louis Iris Society

Do You Deadhead Zinnias?

August issue of Missouri Conservationist magazine features Bellefontaine, Calvary, and Greenwood cemeteries of St. Louis: Resting in Peace with Nature. Bellefontaine Cemetery has suspended tours due to early July storm damage.

Interested in Bees? Download USDA Forest Service’s Bee Basics, An Introduction to Native Bees

Tips on harvesting Sunflowers for planting next year.

———- Events

15 Seats remaining. For Children Ages 3-6. 10 am Tuesday, August 8th Missouri Conservation Department event at Tower Grove Park: Conservation Kids- Nature Scavenger Hunt. Register

7 pm Tuesday, August 8th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Introduction to Missouri’s Caves and Caving. This class is a requirement for August 9th field trip to Cliff Cave, Cliff Cave County Park, St. Louis County. Registration for that is closed but I thought the Zoom Class on its own might be of interest to some. Register

6 pm Thursday, August 10th In Person Event @ Carpenter Library, Tower Grove South: Forest Park Owls, Hunting & Feeding with naturalist Mark H.X. Glenshaw

1 Ticket remaining. 6:30 pm Thursday, August 10th Missouri Conservation Department “Calling All Owls” In Person Event @ Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit, Franklin County. Register

12 Seats remaining. 10 am Friday, August 11th Missouri Conservation Department Nature Art In Person Class at Tower Grove Park: Nature Crocheters, Session 1. Prior experience not necessary, but bring a size 5 mm, 5.5 mm, or 6 mm crochet hook. Future Sessions: October 14th & November 18th. Register

9 am Saturday, August 12th Seed St. Louis Fall Plant Sale. $3.50 4-pak Vegetable Seedlings (bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, kohlrabi, heat tolerant lettuce) + seed packets. Please bring your own tray or box for your plants.

9 am to 5 pm Saturday & Sunday, August 12th & 13th, Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

6:30 pm August 12th Nature Night Film Series at Tower Grove Park: Over the Hedge. + Raptor Basics Show with live birds from World Bird Sanctuary. + Educational activities and crafts sponsored by U.S. Forest Service, Missouri Conservation Department, St. Louis Zoo, Tower Grove Park, St. Louis Public Library, Wild Bird Rehab, more

Noon August 15th Missouri Conservation Department Zoom Class: Outdoor Skills- Reading the River. Learn the fundamentals of how to travel down a waterway safely. Register

4 pm August 16th Grow Native! Webinar: Learning to Grow Native- Four Seasons of Transformation in a Residential Landscape. Register

10 am August 19th Seed St. Louis Tasting the Rainbow Class: Garden Recipes for Kids at Bell Garden. Register

11:30 am August 19th Seed St. Louis Tomato Tasting & Potluck at Bell Garden. Register

August 19th Missouri Prairie Foundation Annual Dinner & Auction, Stoney Creek Hotel, Columbia. Tickets

August 26th Washington County 14th Annual Home Grown Farm Tour

8 am August 26th St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk @ Sunset Greenway, Florissant, St. Louis County. Register

10 am to 2 pm September 9th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Wild Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park, St. Louis County

10 am to 5 pm September 16th Old North St. Louis House & Garden Tour + Arts Festival at Crown Square. Tickets

2 pm September 16th EcoTones Urban Prairie Concert at Bellefontaine Cemetery. $10-$50. Tickets

5:30 pm September 18th Missouri Prairie Foundation Guided Hike of Deer Lake Savanna in Forest Park. Register

8 am September 23rd St. Louis Audubon Society Beginner Bird Walk @ Meramec Greenway, Al Foster Trailhead, Wildwood, St. Louis County. Register

3:30-6:30 pm September 28th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale @ Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County

1 pm October 21st Missouri Prairie Foundation Members Field Trip: Bellefontaine Cemetery Fall Tree Walk

9 am to 3:30 pm November 8th Grow Native! Professionals Conference @ University of Missouri- Columbia. $20 per person for Grow Native! professional members (and their staff). Zoom option: $30 for non-members. Register

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

Upcoming St. Louis Area Plant Sales

(Corrected) 9 am to 5 pm Saturday & Sunday, August 12th & 13th, Greater St. Louis Iris Society Plant Sale @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Average Price $5-$8. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Order Brightside St. Louis Daffodil & Tulip Bulbs Online for October Pick Up

Download the Seed St. Louis Planting Calendar.

Hey, St. Louisans: Need seeds for planting now and Fall/Winter harvesting? Check out the 50 Cent to $1 deals at Seed St. Louis

9 am August 12th Seed St. Louis Fall Plant Sale. $3.50 4-pak Vegetable Seedlings (bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, kohlrabi, heat tolerant lettuce) + seed packets. Please bring your own tray or box for your plants.

Noon to 5 pm August 27th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

August 30th to September 4th Greater St. Louis Daylily Society Online Sale & Auction

10 am to 2 pm September 9th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale at Wild Bird Sanctuary, Valley Park, St. Louis County

3:30-6:30 pm September 28th Missouri Prairie Foundation Native Plant Sale @ Roeslein & Associates, St. Louis County

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

So Many Free Features On Spoutible

The thing about Spoutible that I don’t like is that you, you, and you, are not on there yet.

Spoutible needs St. Louis Twitter. We need you there talking about St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois- the politics, history, neighborhoods (and the institutions, groups, and small businesses that anchor them), gardening, sportsball, heroes and villains, the fabulous food and drink, the unmatched generosity, the fierce feuds, The Arch effect, dogs and cats, AND race.

As Twitter dies a death by a thousand cuts at the hand of Elon Musk, consider moving to Spoutible.

Whenever you get tired of the other platforms not giving you what you need or want, or for free, consider moving to Spoutible.

I’ll be there ( @ greatstateofstlouis) to help you navigate, tho it is extra super easy to use and you probably won’t need help.

Sign Up for Spoutible

Download Android App or iOS App (looks really good on iPad btw)

Spoutible is Free. There may very well be subscription services at fee in the future, but you will always get- at no charge…

Current Features: FREE and always will be

Bot Sentinel Scores
Algorithm-Free Timeline (you decide what comes into your Timeline, you can mute repeats)
Fifteen-Minute Edit Button
Encrypted DMs (no limits)
Free Monetization Button (add your own tip account, or your favorite charity/GoFund)
Two-Factor Authentication
Anti-Abuse Tools
Polls
Dark Mode
Enhanced Blocking (Blocked accounts can’t reply to users replying to your threads)
Add Upload GIFs and Videos
Add up to Ten Photos per spout (post)
Enhanced Pinned Spouts (Pin spouts of any users to your profile.)
Enhanced Threading (A series of autonumbered spouts linked together to form a cohesive conversation.)
Collaborative Threading (Up to four people can contribute to a thread.)
Verification

Coming Soon – More FREE features

Improved Search (Might be ready last week of July)
Pinned Replies
New Bot Sentinel Algorithm and Labels
Improved Making Waves Algorithm (Trending)
Interest-based Connections
Customizable Timelines Based on Topics
AI Assistant (Schedule spouts, response suggestions, and curating content.)
Sentiment Filters (Filter spouts on your timeline based on sentiment.)
Cross-platform Posting
Pods (Live audio and video chat feature that allows users to host and participate in real-time conversations.)
Group DMs

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Close up of yellow with red center accent partridge pea flowers with fern-like leaves growing in garden

Garden path overgrown with yellow flowering partridge pea plants with fern-like leaves

Plant of the Week: Partridge Pea

Looking at you, St. Louis City. Boston is having their 27th annual Mayor’s Garden Contest. Prizes! Multiple year winners enter Hall of Fame, can’t enter again but serve as contest judges.

The massive fire which destroyed Skate Liborious also destroyed New Roots Urban Farm. All donations to help rebuild the farm are appreciated: GoFund for New Roots Urban Farm

Gardening By Month- July- from Missouri Botanical Garden: Tips & Tasks, Pests & Problems

July Gardening To Do List from P. Allen Smith

It’s Sunflower Season at Columbia Bottom Nature Conservation Area

Current Exhibits thru August 6th at Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Grand Center- Faye HeavyShield’s Confluences and The Nature of Things: Medieval Art and Ecology, 1100-1550

Know a great tree steward? August 7th Deadline to submit Nominations for Arbor Award of Excellence

Sept 1st Deadline to enter Missouri Department of Natural Resources 2023 Photo Contest Categories: Natural Resources, Unique Places: state parks and historic sites; People Enjoying Missouri’s Outdoors.

What Milkweed is Deer Resistant?
———-

In the News…
+ Free read via my WaPo subscription: Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ taint nearly half of U.S. tap water, study estimates. The research adds to the evidence that PFAS chemicals are as pervasive as they are long-lasting in the environment
+ From KCUR NPR: A Kansas gardener is suing for the right to sell honey and fruit from her Ottawa yard
+ From Prevention Magazine: The 12 Best Mosquito Repellent Plants to Try in Your Garden
+ Free read via my WaPo subscription: Why fireflies are going extinct and what you can do about it
———-

4 pm Thursday, July 13th Seed St. Louis Happy Hour for Educators & Parents of School Gardeners at Civil Life Brewing, Tower Grove South

6 pm Thursday, July 13th Seed St. Louis Zoom Class: Summer Care of Orchard Trees, Vines, and Cane Fruit. Register

6:30 pm Thursday, July13th Missouri Conservation Department Online Class: Invasive Species Series- Wintercreeper. Register

10 am Friday, July 14th Kids event at Tower Grove Park: Children’s Performance Series- EcoTones, Beings of the Air Trio Concert

5:30 pm Friday, July 14th Horticulture & History Tour at Bellefontaine Cemetery: Sunset Stroll. Register

6:30-9:30 pm Saturday, July 15th Tower Grove Park Nature Night Film Series: A Bug’s Life. Includes educational activities & crafts via The U.S. Forest Service, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Butterfly House, Great Rivers Greenway, Tower Grove Park, The Mighty Cricket, The Dunlap Lab at UMSL, St. Louis Wildlife Project, Webster Groves Nature Study Society – Entomology Group, Show-Me Green Schools

7 pm Saturday, July 15th Missouri Conservation Department event at Shaw Nature Reserve, Gray Summit, Franklin County: Evening Hike- The Sights & Sounds of Shaw Nature Reserve. 9 Tickets remaining. Register

4 pm July 19th Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Master Class: Moths in and Around Grasslands. Free for MPF dues-paying members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

6:30 pm July 20th Missouri Conservation Department Online Class: Invasive Species Series- Bush Honeysuckle. Register

10 am to 3 pm July 22nd Green Living Festival at Missouri History Museum

July 29th & 30th Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society Annual Show & Sale. This year at I-70 Business Center, 8195 Lackland Road

4 pm August 2nd Missouri Prairie Foundation Zoom Master Class: Native Grasses and Sedges-Smart Choices for Native Landscape Design. Free for MPF dues-paying members and Grow Native! professional members. $15 for non-members. Register

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

August 5th Green Living Festival at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

August 19th Missouri Prairie Foundation Annual Dinner & Auction, Stoney Creek Hotel, Columbia. Tickets

9 am to Noon August 26th Webster Groves Herb Society Display at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Noon to 5 pm August 27th Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Auction @ Missouri Botanical Garden. Entrance included with Garden Admission. Garden Admission is FREE to St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents 7 am to Noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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

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

10 am to 5 pm September 16th Old North St. Louis House & Garden Tour + Arts Festival at Crown Square. Tickets

9 am to 3:30 pm November 8th Grow Native! Professionals Conference @ University of Missouri- Columbia. $20 per person for Grow Native! professional members (and their staff). Zoom option: $30 for non-members. Register

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