Native Plant School – April 16, 2026 Native Spring Tonics and Greens at Shaw Nature Reserve Summary by Jen Sieradzki, Manager of Native Plant Horticulture for Shaw Nature Reserve Our instructor for the April 2026 Native Plant School class was Dr. Kate Farley. Kate has a PhD in cultural anthropology…
Home of Laura and Andrew Yates Wednesday, April 8th and Saturday, April 11th Photos and highlights by Donna Short Everyone was excited that it’s spring and Garden Gatherings are back! The Yates home was a perfect setting since it featured an abundance of spring ephemerals and wildflowers! Laura has been a…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Earth Day by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member April 22 is Earth Day Celebrate today by taking some time to reflect on the choices you make and how they impact the planet for good or bad. Planting native plants is an easy way to make…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Avoid compacting saturated soil by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member When soil is saturated, try to keep vehicles and foot traffic off garden beds to avoid compaction. Don’t work in the garden when soil is soft because soil compaction will occur. Soil compaction removes air…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Hummingbird arrival by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member I know the hummingbirds will be here soon when I see my coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) blooming. Hummingbirds love red tube-shaped flowers. I put out a hummingbird feeder near my kitchen window so I can watch these little…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Queen bumblebees by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member Queen bumblebees emerge looking for nectar and pollen in order to start new colonies. Early blooming flowers and shrubs give queen bees their necessary fuel for starting the next generation. Check out the Grow Native! Top 10 Native…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Arbor Day by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member April 2 is Missouri Arbor Day Find a friend to help you plant a tree or shrub. https://moreleaf.org/how-to-plant-a-tree/ On April 3rd and 4th, 2026, celebrate Arbor Day in Missouri at the Missouri Botanical Garden and receive a free Missouri…
Replacing Lawn with Native Plants at Home March 26, 2026 Native Plant School Class at Shaw Nature Reserve Summary by Jen Sieradzki, Manager of Native Plant Horticulture for Shaw Nature Reserve Instructors: Taylor Heuermann – Rainscaping Coordinator, Earthways Center – a division of Missouri Botanical Garden Jessica Griffard – Experiential Learning Coordinator, Missouri Botanical Garden Taylor and Jessica started the class by…
Maintaining Wild Tip – Cover crops by Besa Schweitzer, chapter member Cover crops can be used to repair damaged soil. Planting a temporary crop to hold soil from erosion, prevent weeds, and add organic matter can prepare a bed for the future garden. These weedy species have an important role in establishing…
Gathering highlights by Donna Short Orchids in Missouri Presented by: John Oliver For the last Winter Speaker Series event of the year we began early with a social period and various activities. Below was an opportunity to test your knowledge with a “Breaking Dormancy” quiz to identify plants by…
