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

St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Sales and Swaps

Plant Sale graphic with colorful flower art

Free Heirloom Seeds. Please follow all instructions.

Going on Now: Missouri Conservation Annual Tree Seedling Sale. Orders ship out in Spring. Rose Mallow, a native hibiscus with large flowers , one of Missouri’s tallest perrenials (up to 8 feet) is still available. Also available: Bundles- Edible, Nuts, Wildlife- and Aromatic Sumac, Bald Cypress, Black Walnut, Cottonwood, Deciduous Holly, False Indigo, Gray Dogwood, Hackberry, Kentucky Coffeetree, Mixed Hickory, Norway Spruce, Ohio Buckeye, Pin Oak, Redbud, River Birch, Sandbar Willow, Shumard Oak, Silky Dogwood, Silver Maple, Smooth Sumac, Wild Plum. More Info.

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.

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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.

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 kids socks and underwear for charity.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

April Seven Pines Garden Club Plant Sale

April UCity in Bloom Plant Sale

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

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

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.

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

May Garden Club of Lebanon, Illinois, Plant Sale. 2025 Info. Check back in February for 2026 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

8:30 am to Noon May 9th Webster Groves Women’s Garden Club Plant Sale at First Congregational Church parking lot

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

May 9th Mississippi Valley Garden Club, Illinois, Plant Sale in Godfrey

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

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

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

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

9 am to 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.

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.

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

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

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

More Developer Money to Nexus PAC

Man with giant green money bag

Nexus PAC received a $10,000 contribution on January 12, 2026, from developer Paric Holdings. The PAC is the legal money laundry for lobbyists at Nexus Group.

Some redevelopments in St. Louis City involving Paric include The Victor (Butler Brothers Building), One Cardinal Way luxury apartments,  Alexander Lofts luxury lofts, all in Downtown, and Robert Place Lofts (Enright School) and adjacent luxury homes in  Visitation Park. I believe all the projects involved corporate welfare.

The PAC is run by attorney Matthew McBride, who serves on many St. Louis City economic development boards that authorize corporate welfare.

Since 2023, Paric has sent $100,000 to Nexus PAC for redistribution, legal money laundering.

This is another update to Sinquefields Donate to Nexus PAC. Again. There is a running list of donors and beneficiaries (both St. Louis City and around the state and other state), at that link.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Purple Milkweed
Orange Butterfly Weed with bee enjoying nectar
Milkweed Ice Ballet
Very tall Purple Milkweed, shrub-like in garden, with bees
Spider Milkweed

Plant of the Week: Butterfly Weed & Milkweed. They need cold stratification. Now is the time to start your seeds by sowing indoors and chilling in your refrigerator, winter sow in the garden or using milk jugs outdoors.

Free Heirloom Seeds 

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. No additions this week, just clean up

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

Plan your garden with  2026 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 —

This Addictive Homemade Suet Will Keep Your Birds Returning for More. Give feathered visitors a dietary boost with Zick Dough, an energy-rich delicacy made by nature writer Julie Zickefoose (Audubon Magazine)

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

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

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 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

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

January 15th Deadline to Enter Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center (Blue Springs MO) Amazing Arthropods Photography Contest

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

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

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

6:30 pm Tuesday, January 13th, Piasa Pallisades Sierra Club Speaker Series at Old Bakery Beer in Alton, Illinois: Data Centers in our Communities. Register

Noon Wednesday, 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. Register

4 pm Wednesday, 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

10 am Friday, January 16th, Bowood Farm Class: Seed Starting Tips. $5. Register

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

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

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

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

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am Monday, January 19th, Piasa Pallisades Sierra Club MLK, Jr. Day of Service: litter clean up in Hellrung Park and neighborhood, Alton, Illinois.Register

7 Tickets remaining. 12:30 pm Monday, 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

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

6:30 pm Monday, 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

10 am January 20th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Dresser Island Conservation Area, West Alton MO.  Very flat 5.8-mile loop. 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

6 pm 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

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

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 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

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

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

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 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

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

1 pm February 7th Missouri Conservation Department craft class at Tower Grove Park: Nature Art, Needle Felt Beavers. 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

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

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

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

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 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)

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Will St. Louis Cancel Contract with Murder for Hire Defendant?

Fail Stamp

Updated again January 14th.

Also see St. Louis Hires Murder Suspect’s Company for Demo Contract and St. Louis Electeds Repped in Decision to Contract with Accused Murderer

Thursday afternoon, January 8th, a new meeting notice appeared on the City of St. Louis Public Meetings Calendar. It caught the attention of more than a few people.

The notice was for a meeting a week later. 10:30 am Thursday, January 15th, there was to be a “Special” meeting (meaning not a regular weekly or monthly meeting), Zoom only, of the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) Board. 

The meeting was changed to 12:30 pm Thursday, January 15th, at 12:19 pm Wednesday, January 14th.

The LCRA Board was the second City entity to approve a $3,692,000 contract with S. Shafer Excavating Inc for environmental remediation and demolition services at 4690 and 4700 Goodfellow Blvd, a 16.45-acre former ammunition plant site.

LCRA spent less than ten minutes on the contract at their December 16th meeting. The Illinois company is owned and run by Sammy J. Shafer Jr., whose murder-for-hire trial is set for April in Madison County. It’s alleged that Shafer Jr. was the mastermind and paid for the murder of Portia Rowland, who had planned to marry his wife, Sarah, after their divorce.

The contract killing never came up in the LCRA meeting.

We don’t know if the murder case came up at the meeting of the first City entity to approve, recommend, the contract with S. Shafer Excavating. There are no Minutes or video available online for the December 9th meeting of the City’s Substantial Awards Selection Committee.

It was there that the contract for services on the Goodfellow site was discussed, mostly in closed session, and Shafer’s company recommended. Members of the Substantial Awards Selection Committee include representatives of Mayor Cara Spencer, Comptroller Donna Baringer, and Board of Alders President Megan Green.

The Meeting Notice for Thursday’s meeting had no agenda posted as of 10:30 am Wednesday, January 14th.

Had the meeting time not been changed and Agenda added, the meeting would have been in violation of Executive Order 60 requiring Notice with Agenda be posted at least 24 hours advance.

Thursday’s LCRA Meeting Materials page has two files: one is labeled “hidden” and has a link back to the Meetings Materials page; the other is the Agenda and Minutes from last meeting.

The Minutes include information on the vote at last meeting to award the contract to S. Shaffer Excavating.

The S. Shafer Excavating contract is not on Thursday’s Agenda. However, the combination of a “hidden” file on the Meeting Materials page and the listed statutory citations for Closed, Executive Session suggests the contract might come up.

“A) Proceedings involving legal actions, causes of actions or litigation or confidential
or privileged communications with attorneys or auditors as provided by Section
610.021 (1) RSMo. and/or Section 610.021 (18) RSMo.”

“C) Proceedings to regarding sealed bids and proposals and related documents or
documents related to a negotiated contract as provided by Section 610.021 (12)
RSMo.”

But what about accountability? Who is to blame for no background check on Shafer Excavating? Is it an isolated instance at St. Louis Development Corporation, LCRA’s boss, or is this a systemwide failure on contracts?

What was the role of the Substantial Awards Selection Committee, which includes the offices of the three most powerful positions in City government, in this mess? None of them have come forward to say it was a mistake and they’ll do better. I suppose it does take time to find a scapegoat.

And where are St. Louis City Alders on this?

Silence is complicity.

How is the lack of a background check on potential contractors being fixed? Will there be a committee appointed to study the situation and issue a report absolving elected and mayoral appointed officials and identifying a scapegoat? It would not be the first.

St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales

Plant Sale art

Free Heirloom Seeds. Please follow all instructions.

Going on Now: Missouri Conservation Annual Tree Seedling Sale. Orders ship out in Spring. Rose Mallow, a native hibiscus with large flowers , one of Missouri’s tallest perrenials (up to 8 feet) is still available. Also available: Bundles- Edible, Nuts, Wildlife- and Aromatic Sumac, Bald Cypress, Black Walnut, Cottonwood, Deciduous Holly, False Indigo, Gray Dogwood, Hackberry, Kentucky Coffeetree, Mixed Hickory, Norway Spruce, Ohio Buckeye, Pin Oak, Redbud, River Birch, Sandbar Willow, Shumard Oak, Silky Dogwood, Silver Maple, Smooth Sumac, Wild Plum. More Info.

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.

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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.

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 kids socks and underwear for charity.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

May Garden Club of Lebanon, Illinois, Plant Sale. 2025 Info. Check back in February for 2026 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

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

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

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

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

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

9 am to 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.

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.

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

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

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

Nexus PAC Update. Money to Bosley Charity Intrigue.

Man with giant green money bag
Screenshot of Nexus PAC contribution to Communities First
Screenshot of 2025 nonprofit filingat Missouri Secretary of State for Communities First
Screenshot of landing page for Citizens for LaKeySha Bosley campaign account registration at Missouri Ethics Commission

January 2026 campaign finance reports are trickling in to Missouri Ethics Commission and there’s an update to Sinquefields Donate to Nexus PAC. Again.

The January report for Nexus PAC shows two contributions to St. Louis City accounts and eight to campaigns elsewhere in Missouri as well as Illinois and South Carolina.

Nexus PAC is the legal money laundry for Nexus Group lobbyists. The PAC is run by attorney Matthew McBride, who serves on many St. Louis City economic development boards that authorize corporate welfare.

Screenshot of landing page for Citizens for Brandon Bosley campaign account at Missouri Ethics Commission
Screenshot of some 2018 campaign finance expenditures using address of 1428 Salisbury

St. Louis City State Rep Nick Kimble received $500 from Nexus PAC and there was a peculiar $1,000 contribution to Communities First at 1428 Salisbury.

It’s peculiar because the $1,000 was reported given to Communities First as a campaign contribution, not a charitable donation.

The organization is registered as a nonprofit with Missouri Secretaary of State. It is not registered as a political action committee with Missouri Ethics Commission.

Communities First is a Bosley Family charity. Their website does not have any information on its Board and Staff page.

But we know from corporation records and internet searches that Lucinda Frazier is registered agent and heads the nonprofit. She is 14th Ward (and before redistricting, longtime 3rd Ward) Democratic Committeewoman and Chief Deputy Recorder for St. Louis City Recorder Michael Butler, who also serves on the Board for Communities First.

Frazier is also widow of former Alder Freeman Bosley Sr and matriarch of the Bosley political family, mother to State Rep LaKeySha Bosley, a.k.a. LaKeySha Frazier-Bosley, and former Alder Brandon Bosley.

Both LaKeySha Bosley and Brandon Bosley use the 1428 Salisbury address for their campaign committees.

LaKeySha Bosley also uses it for her address on her campaign account and works with Communities First, possibly as an employee either currently or previously.

As a state legislator, she also worked for Recorder Butler at Open Concept, his now shuttered all you can drink for one price bar.

1428 Salisbury has also been used as an address for former 3rd Ward and Bosley Family related campaign workers on MEC Reports.

In 2023, I wrote about some of Brandon Bosley’s campaign finance problems here.

In December 2025, the Missouri Ethics Commission fined Brandon Bosley nearly $50,000 for campaign finance violations.

This Week in Gardening & Nature

Cannabis seedling under grow light

Plant of the Week: Cannabis. Regulations on growing for personal use in Missouri and Illinois (only for registered medical cannabis patients)

Free Garden Seeds for Bluesky Accounts (Native, nonNative, Veggies, Herbs, Fruit)

Free Heirloom Seeds (requests will open back up this month)

If you are just looking for St. Louis Area Plant and Seed Swaps and Sales, they are here. Additions this week: Free Seeds for Bluesky accounts, 2026 Flyleaf Market Succulent & Tropical Sales , 2026 St. Charles County Library Plant & Seed Swaps

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 —

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

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

5 Houseplant New Year’s Resolutions I’m Actually Sticking to for a Healthier, More Beautiful Indoor Garden in 2026 (Homes & Gardens)

Is trouble brewing in your garden? Myths and facts about using coffee grounds in the garden. (University of Missouri Extension)

After devastating LA fires, California is drafting nation’s toughest rules for homes. In areas at risk of wildfires, homeowners would be required to clear some or all of the plants within five feet of their house (NPR)

10 tips for winter care of woody ornamentals (University of Missouri 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 —–

Volunteers Wanted. STL Neighborhood Foresters Neighborhood Tree Care Blitzes
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

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

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.

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 —–

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

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

6:15 pm Thursday, 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 Friday. January 9th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Castlewood State Park Service Day, Ballwin. Register

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

Volunteers Wanted. 7:30 am Saturday, January 10th, Piasa Palisades Sierra Club Eagle Count for the USACE, meet at Clifton Country Inn, Godfrey, Illinois. Register

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

For ages 5-12 but family welcome. 19 Tickets remaining. 10:30 am Saturday, 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 Saturday, January 10th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Intro to Winter Tree ID. Register by January 8th.

Noon to 4 pm Saturday, 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 Saturday, January 10th, Missouri Conservation Department Virtual Class: Foraging 101. Register

1 pm Saturday, January 10th, Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Winter Hike at Broemmelsiek Park, St. Charles County. 3.3 mile loop. Register

10 Tickets remaining. 1 pm Saturday, 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 Saturday, January 10th, St. Louis County Library event at Lewis & Clark Branch: Cactus Makes Perfect. Includes make & take cactus puppet craft. Register

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

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

14 Seats remaining. 1 pm Sunday, January 11th, Willoughby Farm gardening class in Collinsville, Illinois: Winter Seed Starting. $15. Register

2 pm Sunday, 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 Tuesday, 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 Tuesday, January 13th, Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum horticulture class: Pruning Trees and Shrubs. Register

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

6:30 pm Tuesday, January 13th, Piasa Pallisades Sierra Club Speaker Series at Old Bakery Beer in Alton, Illinois: Data Centers in our Communities. Register

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. Register

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

10 am January 16th Bowood Farm Class: Seed Starting Tips. $5. Register

18 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

Volunteers Wanted. 10 am January 19th Piasa Pallisades Sierra Club MLK, Jr. Day of Service: litter clean up in Hellrung Park and neighborhood, Alton, Illinois. Register

11 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

14 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

10 am January 20th Eastern Missouri Sierra Club Dresser Island Conservation Area, West Alton MO.  Very flat 5.8-mile loop. 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

6 pm 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

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

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 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

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

1 pm February 7th Missouri Conservation Department craft class at Tower Grove Park: Nature Art, Needle Felt Beavers. 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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

St. Louis Electeds Repped in Decision to Contract with Accused Murderer

St. Louis Substantial Awards Selection Committee Agenda for December 9, 2025, meeting

Updated 01/11/2026 Will St. Louis Cancel Contract with Murder for Hire Defendant?

This is an Update to St. Louis Hires Murder Suspect’s Company for Demo Contract.

It turns out that the Board for St. Louis City Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority is not the only City entity that had a say on awarding the $3,692,000 contract to S. Shafer Excavating.

The contract is for environmental remediation and demolition services at 4690 and 4700 Goodfellow Blvd, a 16.45-acre former ammunition plant site.

The company is run by Sammy J. Shafer Jr, accused of murder for hire. The alleged driver is Marty D. Shaw, Shafer Jr.’s employee. The alleged shooter is Gary D. Johnson, previously convicted of a different murder, and Shaw’s cousin.

The three are accused of the January 21, 2025, murder of Portia Louise Rowland in Collinsville, Illinois. Rowland was the girlfriend of Sarah Shafer, Shafer Jr.’s wife. She was living with her at the time of the murder. They intended to be married after Shafer’s divorce was finalized.

Shafer Jr. allegedly provided the gun used in the murder and left the $10,000 payment in an excavator at his home. His trial is set for April 27, 2026.

Before LCRA awarded the contract to the accused murder’s company on December 16, 2025, there was a December 9th meeting of the City’s Substantial Awards Selection Committee in which the contract for services on the Goodfellow site was discussed, mostly in closed session. This was the meeting where it was decided to recommend S. Shafer Excavating to LCRA.

Members of the Substantial Awards Selection Committee include representatives of Mayor Cara Spencer, Comptroller Donna Baringer, and Board of Alders President Megan Green.

The only records of the committee posted online are Agendas. No meeting materials, exhibits, etc. No Meeting Minutes. No meeting videos. A Transparency Fail.

Did no one from the Board of Estimate and Apportionment- Mayor, Comptroller, Board President- bother to do a records check on Sammy Shafer Jr. and his company?

Or did they just ignore the information readily available?

St. Louis Hires Murder Suspect’s Company for Demo Contract

Portia Louise Rowland, obituary photo
Sammy J. Shafer Jr., mugshot
Illinois Secretary of State document showing agent change for Shafer Excavating
St. Louis Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority Resolution authorizing contract with Shafer Excavating

This story has an update here dated January 11, 2026

This story has an update here dated January 5, 2026.

Portia Louise Rowland was murdered shortly after 6:06 am on January 21, 2025, in the driveway of her home in Collinsville, Illinois. She died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Sarah Shafer, her girlfriend, was in the home at the time of the murder.

The alleged murder getaway vehicle was found in St. Louis County, Missouri. The alleged driver, Marty D. Shaw, 33, Collinsville, was charged in Illinois with two counts of First Degree Murder as an accomplice in the killing.

Next, Gary D. Johnson, 44, East St. Louis, was arrested as the shooter, two counts of First Degree Murder as well as one count of Felon in possession of a Weapon. After the shooting, he allegedly changed clothes and went to a casino. Johnson had previously been convicted of a murder in 1997.

On January 25th, Sammy J. Shafer Jr., 36, Caseyville, was arrested outside his home and charged with two counts of First Degree Murder and two counts of Solicitation/Murder for Hire in the death of Rowland. It’s alleged that he paid $10,000 for the hit.

Shafer Jr., it is alleged, hired Johnson to kill Rowland, whom he considered a romantic rival. Sarah Shafer, Shafer’s wife, divorce pending, and Portia Rowland had planned to marry, according to prosecutors.

Shafer Jr. is President of S. Shafer Excavating and Demolition, a company based in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, registered with Illinois Secretary of State, File #73632633. His father, Sammy J Shafer Sr., also of Caseyville, is Secretary of the company.

On April 17, 2025, the company changed its registered agent from Shafer Jr. to Tammy Shafer, his mother.

The company is also registered with Missouri Secretary of State as S. Shafer Excavating Inc.

Shafer Jr. is scheduled to go to trial on April 27, 2026.

On December 16, 2025, the Board for St. Louis City’s Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority spent less than ten minutes rubberstamping a $3,692,000 contract with S. Shafer Excavating Inc for environmental remediation and demolition services at 4690 and 4700 Goodfellow Blvd, a 16.45-acre former ammunition plant site.

The murder case never came up at the meeting (YouTube video of meeting, Shafer contract starts at 6:55).

Three LCRA Board members voted for the contract: Sean Spencer, executive director for Tower Grove Community Development Corporation; attorney Kennard Jones; and business consultant Lori Koenig. Two Board members were absent: attorney Matthew McBride, who runs Nexus PAC, and Lindsey Evans, a senior project manager at PGAV Planners.

LCRA is one of ten boards appointed by St. Louis City’s mayor to facilitate the mayor’s economic development agenda via blighting, corporate welfare, sale of land owned by the city, under the umbrella organization St. Louis Development Corporation. The director of SLDC is also appointed by the mayor.

The Goodfellow industrial site will be cleaned up at public expense for a redevelopment. Mayor Cara Spencer and her SLDC director Otis Williams have not announced what that development will be.

I know what you’re thinking, “Innocent until proven guilty.”

Correct.

But Plot Twist. Shafer Jr. is not the only alleged connection between the murder of Portia Rowland and S. Shafer Excavating and Demolition.

The getaway vehicle was registered to Tammy Shafer, Shafer Jr.’s mother, now agent for the company. She is not a suspect.

However, suspect Marty D. Shaw, alleged driver of the vehicle, was or still is employed by the company. Shaw is also the cousin of suspect Gary D. Johnson, the alleged shooter.

Shafer Jr. allegedly provided the gun used in the murder and left the $10,000 payment in an excavator at his home.

While not a concern for Mayor Spencer, SLDC Director Williams, or the LCRA Board, it was a concern in Springfield, Illinois, which already had a contract with the company.

Either SLDC did not perform a records check on Shafer Jr. and his company or it was ignored. Here’s what I found in fifteen minutes. Some articles are now stored at Internet Archive Machine because of paywall and desire to have sources available to all.

November 19, 2025 Belleville News-Democrat: Nearly 150 on witness list for metro-east husband’s murder-for-hire trial

June 16, 2025, Belleville News-Democrat: Attorneys debate if Caseyville husband who allegedly hired hitman can get fair trial

February 14, 2025, KTVI TV: Alleged orchestrator in Collinsville murder-for-hire set for court appearance

February 5, 2025 KMOV TV: Man at center of murder-for-hire plot denied pre-trial release

February 5, 2025 Belleville News-Democrat: Prosecutor: Caseyville businessman planned murder-for-hire for months, provided the gun

January 29, 2025, Belleville News-Democrat: High-profile attorney represents man charged in Collinsville murder-for-hire case

January 28, 2025 St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Victim’s girlfriend’s husband charged in murder-for-hire scheme in Collinsville

January 27, 2025, Belleville News-Democrat: Caseyville businessman accused of hiring hitman to kill wife’s girlfriend in Collinsville