Garden Club and Plant Society Meetings

We welcome newcomers to stop by, have a cup of coffee and a snack, and learn about growing roses in your yard, on your patio, or on your deck. Regular meetings are held on the fourth Sunday of the month in the student cafeteria at the Southwestern Illinois College, campus at 2500 Carlyle Ave, Belleville Illinois at 2:00 p.m. For more info, visit web site www.belleville-ars.org or contact Bob Hellmer at 618-939-5673.

Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis

Beaumont Room at Missouri Botanical Gardens. Contact (314) 952-2395 or circustaz2@sbcglobal.net.

Boone Country Garden Club (FGCM - MCD)

Meets the 1st Monday of each month at 9:30am. Visitors welcome. (636) 798-2022.

Caseyville Gardeners

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm at Village of Caseyville City Hall, Illinois Rt.157. (618) 410-4939.

Concord Garden Club (FGCM-EDC)

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each monthat 10:15 am (except July) at Christ MemorialLutheran Church, 5252 S. Lindbergh Blvd.New members and guest are always welcome.Call for reservations and information at (314) 843-6219.

Daffy-Dill Garden Club

Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month(except December) at 6:30 pm at Marion County Bank Annex meeting room at 301 W. Main St., Salem, IL. Call to confirm meeting location at (618) 548-6352.

Edwardsville Garden Club

The Edwardsville Garden Club holds monthly meetings on the 2^nd Saturday of most months.  Time of meetings is 1:00 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.  For location of meeting and other info, please contact Linna at 618-288-3566.

Design Concepts Garden Club  (MCD) 

Meets on the third Thursday each month except December and January. 11:30 am set up; 12:00 pm lunch served.  We meet at Grace Presbyterian Church, 6308 Hwy N in Cottleville.  www.gardencentral.org/midcentralmo/designconcepts/  or contact Pat Schnarr at (314) 488-5316. 

Fenton Garden Club (FGCM-ECD)

Meets the 1st Monday of every month at 1 pm at Fenton Rockwood Bank. Contact (314) 324-6006.

First Capitol Garden Club (FGCM-MCD)

Meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month (except July). Call (636) 936-0777 for info and confirmation of meeting time and place. We warmly welcome new members and visitors.

Fleur de Lis Garden Society (FGCM-MCD)

Fleur de Lis Garden Society generally holds its monthly meeting the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm at 1781 Zumbehl in St. Charles. For more information on speakers or to verify time and location, please contact Vice President, Robin Gosnell at: 636-358-3276.

Four Winds Garden Club (FGCM-ECD)

Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 12:30 pm at the AKC Museum of the Dog, Queeny Park, 1721 South Mason Road, Town & Country, MO 63131. Call (636) 391-3694 to confirm meeting information. Visitors are welcome.

Gardeners of Florissant

Meets the 1st Monday of every month at 7 pm at the Florissant Valley Christian Church at 1325 N. Hwy. 67 (Lindbergh). Contact (314) 895-4516 to confirm meeting and location.

Gardeners of St. Charles County

Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 pm at Not- for-Profit on Spencer Rd., St. Peters, MO. Guests welcome. (636) 723-2274.

Good Earth Garden Club (FGCM-ECD)

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at Eureka Elementary School, 442 W. 4^th St. in Eureka, MO. (No meeting in January.) Visitors and new members are welcome. (636) 227-0843.

Greater St. Louis Dahlia Society

The Greater St. Louis Dahlia Society meeting dates for 2009 are Jan16, Feb 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 24, Aug Picnic, September 18, November 20, and December 18.  The plant sale is the weekend of May 9-10 and our show is the weekend of September 25-27 . All meetings and events are at Missouri Botanical Garden. Contact (314) 846-6650.

Greater St. Louis Orchid Society

Meets the 2nd Friday of the month at 7:30 pm at Missouri Botanical Garden Beaumont Room. Contact (636) 296-5661 for information.

Hazelwood Garden Club

Meets the 4th Wednesday of every month (except Nov and Dec) at Hazelwood Community Center at White Birch Park, 1186 Teson Rd. Guests and new members welcome. Call (314) 921-4762 or email to karen860@sbcglobal.net.

Herbs for Health & Fun Club

Meets the 3^rd Monday of the month at Jefferson County Extension Office, Mt. Vernon, IL at 6:30 Pm with pot luck. Dues are $15.00 per year. April thru Sept. we meet 1^st & 3^rd Mondays at members gardens. See our web site for more info: http://members.midwesternherbandgardenshow.com  or call (618) 266-7968 or (618) 533-4705 for location of meeting and more information.

Highland Garden Club

Meets the 4th Thursday of every month at various locations throughout the gardening season.  Contact (618) 654-6740 or visit www.freewebs.com/highlandgardenclub.  Guests are always welcome.

Horticulture Study Club (FGCM-ECD)

Meets the 2nd Saturday of each month from 1-3 pm Call (314) 382-7651 for meeting place and details. Visitors and new members welcome.

Jeffco Iris Society

Contact (636) 274-7435 for information, confirmation of time and place. Members and Guests always welcome. FREE.

Kirkwood Garden Club

Meets the 1st Tuesday of every month (except December) at 7:00 pm. Call (314) 966-4151 or visit www.kirkwoodgardenclub.org to confirm meeting programs and locations or additional information about Club activities in the community. Guests and new members are always welcome!

Kirkwood Iris Society

Generally meets the 1st Friday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Board Room at Shriner’s Hospital on S. Lindbergh. Visitors and guests are welcome. For information, confirmation of time and place, contact (314) 961-6745.

Kress Farm Garden Preserve
Generally meets the 2^nd Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Kress Farm Garden Club in Hillsboro. Guests are welcome. Contact (636)-931-2395 to confirm meeting and directions.

Lewis & Clark Garden Club (FGCM-MCD)

Meets the last Tuesday of each month at the Weldon Spring Interpretive Center at 7 pm, except for Dec., January and June. Contact (314) 452-5374.

Maryland Heights Garden Club

Meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8 pm at Maryland Heights Community Center unless otherwise noted. Contact (314) 520- 7424 or (314) 434-1919 for information.

Men’s Garden Club of Webster Groves

Meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:30 pm. Webster Groves Recreation Complex, 33 East Glendale Rd. Contact (314) 918-9674 to confirm meeting and location.

Mid-Illinois Iris Society

Caseyville Township Community Center, 10001 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Call ((618) 538-7257 or email plhayden@charter.net for information.

Mississippi Valley Garden Club

Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm Bethalto Senior Center, 100 Central Ave., Bethalto. Contact (618) 259-6726 to confirm meeting and location.

Owensville Garden Club (FGCM-MCD)

Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm at Peaceful Valley Lake Lodge, Owensville, Missouri. Guests are always welcome.

Parkland Master Gardeners

 Meetings are usually on the 1st Monday of the month at the Farmington, MO courthouse Annex building, third floor at 6:30 pm.  We welcome any master gardener to come join us.  Our groups volunteer mission is to provide education to our local communities.  Contact (573) 749-3423 for information.

Perennial Garden Club of Clark County

Meets the first Monday of the Month at St. Paul UCC at 6:30 pm. Dues are $12 per year. Speakers, field trips, plant-sharing and community projects make up the agenda.

Richmond Heights Garden Club

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month. The Heights, Richmond Heights Community Center. Contact (314) 644-6520 to confirm meeting and location.

Ritenour Gardener Club

Meets the 3rd Monday of every month at 7 pm at Stephen Memorial Methodist Church, 2730

Walton Rd., Overland, MO. Visitors and guests always welcome. Refreshments, attendance and door prizes. Call (314) 428-2959 for info.

Rock Garden Society

Meets the 3rd Wednesday of most months from 7-9 pm in the Garden Room at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Visitors and new members welcome. Great programs, prizes and field trips. Call Sandy at (636) 463- 1698 for information.

Rose Society of Greater St. Louis

The Rose Society of Greater St Louis typically meets at 2:00pm on the third Sunday of each month, except November and December at the Missouri Botanical Garden.  Contact information for the Society is Roger Brueckman who can be reached at droseyacres@egyptian.net.

Sprig & Twig Garden Club (FGCM-ECD)

Meets the 4th Tuesday of each month (except June) at 7 pm at the Church of the Master, 1325 Paddock Dr., Florissant, MO, 63033. New guests & members welcome. Call (314) 831-7010 or (314) 837-5569.

St. Clair County Garden Club

Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 11:30am at Fishers Restaurant, 2100 West Main, Belleville, IL. Guest speakers are scheduled. Luncheon $12. New Members are welcome. To confirm meeting and location, call (618) 213-6525.

St. Louis Evening Herbalists

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:45 at Faust Park. For information, confirmation of time and place, contact Micha at (314) 434-2030. Visitors and guests are always welcome.

St. Louis Horticultural Society

Meets 6 times/year on the 3^rd Sunday of select months at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. For more information on meeting schedules, times and events, contact Jim Seithel at (314) 781-3051 or stlhortsociety@aol.com.

St. Louis Hosta Society

Go to www.stlouishosta.org for future events and SLHS information.

St. Louis Water Gardening Society

Meets monthly except December at 7 pm in the Beaumont Room at Missouri Botanical Garden. The public is always welcome. For meeting dates and speaker topics, visit www.SLWGS.org or call (314) 808-7000.

The Garden Club of Lebanon

Meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 7 P.M. at the Historic Mermaid House, 114 East St Louis St, Lebanon, IL 62254.   Contact (618) 537-4368 to confirm meeting location.  Visitors are always welcome. 

Thyme to Garden Club of Centralia, IL

Meets the 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Meetings are held at the First United Methodist Church, 413 E. Broadway, except May through August, when meetings are held at private gardens. New members and guests welcome. For information, call (618) 532-2583.

Twin Chimney Garden Club (FGCM-MCD)

Meets the 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm. Meetings are held at Sunrise United Methodist Church, 7116 Twin Chimneys Blvd., O'Fallon, MO. Club supports Bluebird Sanctuary, United Services Therapeutic Garden, and Twin Chimneys Elementary School Butterfly Garden. Goal for this year is a BlueStar Marker.  Visitors and new members welcome. (636) 240-0844.

Webster Groves Women’s Garden Association Group 15 (FGCM-ECD)

Meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 pm Welcoming new members. Call (314) 968-5004.

West County Daylily Club & MBG Daylily Society

Meets the First Friday of each month 7:30 pm at Missouri Botanical Garden Beaumont Room. Guests and new members are welcome. Call (314) 487-6588 or (314) 389-8261 for information.

Westward Hoe Garden Club (FGCM - ECD)

Westward Hoe Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 for gardeners in the Ellisville, Ballwin, and Manchester area.  For further information call 636-391-6469.

Wild Ones Natural Landscapers

Meets the 1st Wednesday of the month at 6 pm. Locations and more information at www. for-wild.org/chapters/stlouis or call Shaw Nature Reserve at (636) 451-3512.

FUN FOR KIDS

Through January 31^st

Last day to enter the “Power of Plants” contest. Individuals and groups in kindergarten through 12th grades are challenged to pick a plant that does great things and tell its tale through a creative two- or three- dimensional work of art. Visit www.mobot.org/power for complete contest information.

January 9^th

9 am—Flower Arranging. Fox 2 Children’s Garden Club. Baish & Skinner, Inc., 2721 LaSalle St., St. Louis, MO. FREE.

January 16^th

10:30 am-1:30 pm—Great Green Adventures: Winter Color Walk. There may not be many plants blooming, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find color in the Garden. Join us to search out common and not-so-common colors. Ages six to 12 with an adult. Great Green Adventures are held the third Saturday of every month. Meet outside the Children’s Garden entrance at Missouri Botanical Garden. $3 per child.

February 6^th

9 am—Fun Things to Do in the Garden. Fox 2 Children’s Garden Club. FREE. Sappington Garden Center. 11530 Gravois. (314) 843-4700.

Feb. 20^th

10:30 am and 1:30 pm—Great Green Adventures: Sweet Smells of Indoor Gardens. Enjoy the peak of camellias and fragrant olive trees in the Linnean House, and the sweet smells of early spring in the Shoenberg Temperate House. Ages six to 12 with an adult. Great Green Adventures are held the third Saturday of every month. Meet outside the Children’s Garden entrance at Missouri Botanical Garden. $3 per child.

Classes, Lectures

& Events

Now through January 3^rd

Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House. See the Victorian country home of Garden founder Henry Shaw decked for the season with wreaths, garland, floral centerpieces, greenery and a holiday tree. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday, 1 to 4 pm Closed Mondays. Missouri Botanical Garden.

9am-5pm—Holiday wreath exhibition at Missouri Botanical Garden. Featuring unique creations by some of the area’s finest floral designers. All wreaths are sold by silent auction bidding, with proceeds benefiting the Missouri Botanical Garden. Missouri Botanical Garden Ridgway Center.

9 am - 5 pm—“Gardenland Express”annual holiday flower and train show. G-scale model trains travel through a miniature landscape of live plants, surrounded by colorful poinsettias and flowers. Garden admission plus $5. Free for members. Missouri Botanical Gardens at Ridgway Center.

9 am-5 pm—“Inspired by the Garden” Holiday Trimmings at the Kemper Center. Enjoy a 15-foot balsam fir tree naturally decorated with over 50 “gourdaments” and gourd birdhouses to celebrate Garden’s 150th anniversary. New this year, vote for the “visitor’s choice” award for your favorite gourd! All decorated gourds are sold by silent auction bidding. Closed Jan. 1. Kemper Center for Home Gardening at Missouri Botanical Garden.  

Through March 14^th

10 am-3 pm-- Greening your Holiday with EarthWays: Living the Green Life. Learn about products, ideas and technology that will help your family grow greener this holiday season, including eco-friendly crafts, décor and gift-giving inspirations. Bring your camera to snap a holiday memory in a “Festively Green Family Photo Scene” and enjoy hands-on activities. Brookings Interpretive Center.

January 4^th-31^st

9am-4pm—Return of the Poinsettias. Throughout the month of January, bring your tired holiday poinsettia back to Bowood Farms and toss it into their compost bin to get a 10% discount on any houseplant! Also, bring a clean, capped gallon jug and fill it -- free -- with our Pinnacle organic plant food. Bowood Farms. 4605 Olive St. in the Central West End.

January 29^th-31^st

Orchid Society of Greater St. Louis Show. 5-9pm Fri., 9 am-5pm Sat.-Sun. Beaumont Room at Missouri Botanical Gardens.

January 30^th through March 28^th

9 am-5 pm—Annual Orchid Show. Features 800 orchids from one of the world’s premier collections. Orthwein Floral Display Hall, lower level of the Ridgway Visitor Center at Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden admission plus $5; free for Garden members. See pg. XX for details.

January 9^th

2 pm—Orchid-Extravaganza. Babs Wagner, horticulturist in charge of the orchid collection at the Missouri Botanical Garden, comes to Bowood Farms to talk about best orchids for the home gardener! Orchid types, orchid blooms, orchid care and many other orchid topics will be on the program, as will a question-and-answer session with Babs. She also will give us all a sneak peek into the workings of  the 2010 MBG Orchid Show (opening Sat. Jan. 30)! And free tickets to that show will be given away to a few lucky guests!  Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive Street in the Central West End. For more information, visit BowoodFarms.com  or call (314) 454-6868.  FREE.

February 6^th

7:30 am-3 pm—Backyard Bird Festival. Bundle up, grab your binoculars, and flock to the Missouri Botanical Garden for a bird-watching bonanza! Bird watchers of all ages can enjoy a day filled with guided birding walks, live exhibits, identification tips and informative classes for children and adults of all experience levels. Ridgway Visitor Center. Fees vary based on individual sessions. Advance registration required. Visit www.mobot.org/birding or call (314) 577-5140.

2 pm—Teaching Terrariums. Join Bowood’s terrarium specialist Leslie Sortino for a workshop on selecting and placing little plants into miniature landscapes, inside open glass containers of all types and sizes. These terrariums are great gifts for loved ones on Valentine’s Day and are simply great family projects to do indoors on a winter day. Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive Street in the Central West End. For more information, visit BowoodFarms.com  or call (314) 454-6868.  FREE.

February 9^th

6-8 pm—Having a Plan Ensures a Great Landscape. Following certain steps leads to a beautiful and satisfying landscape.  Students will learn how sun, shade, style, soil, plant selection, and placement are key ingredients to a great landscape.  Class will be held at Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 2106 E 5th St. in Washington, (636) 239-6729, and will be taught by Dave Wehmeyer. Sign up through East Central College: (636) 583-5193.

February 10^th

4-6 pm—From Your Hearts & Hands! Send a special handmade Valentine to your loved one this year! Valentines traditionally were made by hand, using scissors or a knife to cut hearts, swags and flowers and then attaching them to vellum and parchment. Bowood Farms’ own artist Laurel Norton puts a modern twist on the tradition of cutting paper when making Valentines. A registration fee of $15 includes all supplies and complimentary hot apple cider and tea. Space is limited to 10 people (12 years and older). Call (314) 454-6868, or stop by the store to register. Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive Street in the Central West End. For more information, visit BowoodFarms.com.

February 12^th-13^th

Midwest Herb and Garden Show. Featured Speaker this year Mel Bartholomew, Square Foot Gardening. Other topics covered: Home orchids, growing gourd, herbs for respiratory system, emerald ash borer, Labyrinth, re-blooming irises, sand gardens, floral crafts from flowers & herbs, blue birds, heirloom vegetables, woody plant seed propagation; herbal treats from cookbooks, oriole’s rain gardens. Over 40 vendors. All indoors. Check web site for more info: http://members.midwesternherbandgardenshow.com or call Visitors Bureau (800) 252-5464. Free. Fri hours 10am– 9pm, Sat. hours 10am– 9pm and Sunday Noon – pm.

February 13^th

9-11 am—Fruit Tree Care. Growing tree fruits in your back yard can be satisfying and rewarding. It takes only a few years to get trees into production. With some yearly care and maintenance you can produce healthier more flavorful tree ripened fruit from manageably sized trees. Learn methods of selecting, planting, pruning, spraying and other care for apples, pears, peaches, etc. St. Charles County Extension Center, 260 Brown Rd., St. Peters MO. Visit http://extension.missouri.edu/stcharles/mastergardener/classes/shtml or call (636) 970-3000 for information. Pre-registration required. $15.

February 16^th

6-8 pm—Trees & Shrubs,  The Backbone of the Landscape. What?  How?  Where?   Students will learn the benefits of choosing the right plant for the right place.   Class will be held at Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 2106 E 5th St. in Washington, (636) 239-6729. Sign up through East Central College: (636) 583-5193.

February 16^th & 17^th

9 am-4:30 pm—Gateway Green Industry Conference.  Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, IL. If you work in lawn care, landscaping, nursery, a garden center, golf course or any other grounds-related industry, you can get new ideas and research-based information at this annual trade conference.   Formerly the Southern Illinois Grounds Maintenance School, the Gateway Green Industry Conference features educational tracks for sports turf, golf, landscape, arborist, bedding plants, parks and recreation as well as public facilities.

Two nationally recognized keynote speakers will address the group. Allan Armitage, well-known professor of horticulture from the University of Georgia will present his experience with The Newest in Color on Feb. 16^th, and on February 17, Jeff Isles, Horticulturalist from Iowa State University will address These Landscape Problems Can (Should) Be Prevented. Other presenters include many of the Who’s Who of the local horticulture professional scene.

Registration for the two days is $95 for two days and $75 for one day if registration is completed by February 5.  Additional fees are required after February 5. To obtain a copy of the Gateway Green Industry Conference brochure and registration form, contact U of I Extension office at (618) 650-7050 or  http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/madisonstclair.  On-line registration is available.

February 19^th & 20^th

Kansas City Garden Symposium.

Four nationally known garden experts highlight a day full of entertaining gardening inspiration with practical tips, techniques and hands-on information, plus a pre-symposium demonstration and dinner lecture. Claire Sawyers, director of the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College and author of “The Authentic Garden: Five Principles for Celebrating a Sense of Place,” will share five ways to create a garden that is true to a specific, time, place and culture. Rosalind Creasy, author of “The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping” and a 10-volume series on the topic, will share a mouthwatering slide presentation that stresses the beauty and practicality of edible plants. Suzy Bales, author of 13 gardening books and a past garden editor for Family Circle, The New York Times and Better Homes & Gardens, will discuss “The Garden in Winter.” Although winter is a time when garden needs color the most, it is also the season least planned and planted for. Bales will show how to create complementary combinations of plants to make a winter landscape endearing.  Stephanie Cohen, author of “Fallscaping” and co-author of “The Perennial Gardener’s Design Primer,” is known as the Perennial Diva on QVC and taught perennial design at Temple University for more than 20 years. Cohen will let the dirt fly as she recommends (or rules out!) the best perennials from summer to fall. the season and are also sustainable and easy to grow.In a second presentation, Cohen will cover “Flowering Shrubs: The Perfect Low Maintenance Companions for Perennials.”

For hours, cost and other details, visit http://shop.powellgardens.org or call (816) 697-2600 x307.

February 20^th

6pm—Young Friends present Trivia Night – Garden Style. Join the Young Friends of the Missouri Botanical Garden for an evening of food, fun and general trivia. Light buffet dinner provided; cash bar. Please, no outside food or drink. Trivia begins at 7 pm. Monsanto Hall, upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center at Missouri Botanical Garden. $300 for a table of 10. Seating is limited and advance registration required. Call (314) 577-9532.

1pm--Organic Vegetable Gardening Class. Marsha Giambalvo and Melissa Mohr of Backdoor Harvest will host an intro to growing organic vegetables class at Home Eco, St. Louis' premier green-focused store. Learn how to turn that carpet of brown zoysia into a productive garden with minimal work. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required as seating is limited. 4611 Macklind Avenue, four blocks south of Chippewa in the Southampton neighborhood. For more information, visit www.home-eco.com or contact Terry at 314-351-2000.

2 pm--My Italian Garden. Get a sense of Tuscany for your own yard, from the many Italian herbs and vegetables that you can grow from seeds and transplants. They range from flat-leaf Italian parsley and basil Napoletano to Italian Roma tomatoes, Marina di Chioggia heirloom squash, Trionfo Violetto pole beans and Black Tuscan kale. Bowood’s Ellen Barredo and Kathie Hoyer show you how to grow your own Italian garden. Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive Street in the Central West End. For more information, visit BowoodFarms.com  or call (314) 454-6868.  FREE.

February 23^rd

1 p.m.—Ferns in the Landscape. Dave Robson, University of Illinois Extension Educator-Horticulture, explores the many attractive ferns that can complement the home landscape. $10. University of Illinois Extension, 621 South Belt West, Belleville. ((618) 236-4172 or visit www.extension.uiuc.edu/madisonstclair.

6-8 pm—Annuals  & Perennials:  What’s Hot and Reliable for 2010. In this workshop students will learn how to bring color to their sanctuary with hot NEW annuals and combine them with sassy chic perennials. Class will be held at Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 2106 E 5th St. in Washington, (636) 239-6729, and will be taught by Jamie Sunfield. Sign up through East Central College: (636) 583-5193.

February 25^th

6-8 pm—Small Investments, Big Returns! In this workshop students will learn how and where to start vegetable gardening.  Topics will include amending the soil, raised gardens, container gardens, and much more.   Class will be held at Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 2106 E 5th St. in Washington, 636-239-6729.  Sign up through East Central College: (636) 583-5193.

February 25^th-28^th 

Home Builders Home and Garden Show.

The St. Louis Builders Home & Garden Show is the largest consumer home show in North America. More than 600 exhibitors and 1,900 booths fill more than 400,000 square feet of America's Center and Edward Jones Dome in downtown St. Louis! The show has been in existence for more than 30 years and is the place for area consumers to see, touch, compare and buy everything they need for their homes and gardens.

The Builders Home and Garden Show is actually 5 complete shows in one - Lawn and Garden, Pool and Spa, Kitchen & Bath, Interior Design and Building Products. This year’s show features six beautiful display gardens, each highlighting the use of art in the garden. You can also register to win a custom-designed landscape in the Belgard Landscapers Challenge. And don’t miss this year’s “Balloon Garden,” a beautiful garden made entirely of balloons! Gardeners and DIYers will also benefit from the full schedule of presentations by local and national celebrity speakers, while the kids will enjoy the family fun areas. If there is something you need for your home or garden, or if you’re just sick of winter and want to walk among the flowering trees and tulips and soothing, cascading waterfalls, this is the place to be!

Tickets are $9 for adults, $4 for children 6-12, and children under 5 are free. Free Seniors admission coupons are available in the Suburban Journals, and $2 off (Thursday and Friday) and $1 off (Saturday and Sunday) coupons are available at Schnuck’s stores. Hours are 10-9 Thursday through Saturday, and Sunday 10-5. Parking is available at Laclede’s Landing and the Arch garage with free shuttle running at 5-minute intervals. For more information, go to www.stlhomeshow.com.

February 27^th

9-11 am—Backyard Grape Growing. Growing grapes in your backyard can be rewarding if done properly. Many varieties can be grown for fresh eating, juice, jelly, and wine or to provide shade and beauty in landscape. Learn how to start, train and maintain new vines and how to prune and care for existing vines. St. Charles County Extension Center, 260 Brown Rd., St. Peters MO. Visit http://extension.missouri.edu/stcharles/mastergardener/classes/shtml or call (636) 970-3000 for information. Pre-registration required. $15.

February 27^th & 28^th

Spring Gardening Blitz. The Missouri Botanical Garden offers an endless array of informative and entertaining classes throughout the year. At the Gardening Blitz, you can sample many of them in a single weekend! The Blitz packs expert advice and information into 22 popular full-length classes. Choose just one, or up to four classes, during the two-day Blitz. Topics for gardeners include organic gardening, pruning, shade gardening, lawn care, roses, orchids, top tropicals, containers, landscape design and more. Not a gardener? Take a class in watercolor painting, cake decorating, birds and birding, floral arranging or garden photography. Prices are $30 to $50 per class. For complete class descriptions and to register, call (314) 577-9441 to request a brochure or go online to www.gardeninghelp.org and click on “Classes.” Or use the form on the back of this issue.

March 6^th

8 am-3 pm--Parkland Master Gardeners Symposium--For gardeners in Missouri’s St. Francois County area of all levels of interest and ability, here’s a chance to learn some new tips, tricks and techniques from the county’s master gardeners. The keynote speaker is Chris Nejelski, Plant of Merit Coordinator for Missouri Botanical Gardens, who will discuss that program’s plant suggestions for this area. Attendees can then select from 3 of 9 other classes offered throughout the day. Something for everyone, and it only costs $8 pre-registered or $10 at the door.  Some classes are limited in size so register early. For more information, contact Ginny Smith at (573) 756-2284 or email her at vsmith@wildblue.net. Mineral Area College, Park Hills, MO.

March 6-14^th

Chicago Flower and Garden Show. Visitors will delight in the best of landscape design and  see the latest in sustainable and green products. Among the show's 25-plus gardens will be those pairing several of Chicago's acclaimed theaters with top Midwest landscapers in keeping with the 2010 show theme: "Cultivating Great Performances."  Among the theaters participating are the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lookingglass Theatre and The Goodman Theatre.

Other show highlights include more than 100 hands-on demonstrations and classes, the "Marketplace" where vendors showcase gardening, landscaping and horticulture products, including green and sustainable products and services, daily "Garden Gourmet" culinary demonstrations featuring 36 top Chicago chefs, an exhibit showcasing new plant varieties for 2010, a Children’s Activity garden, and "Horticulture Competitions" featuring houseplant, photography and window box categories.

Navy Pier is located at 600 E. Grand Avenue. Easily reached by mass transit, there will also be special discounted Navy Pier parking for show visitors for $14. Show hours are: Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and Sundays from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Weekday admission is $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-12.Weekend admission is $17 for adults but will remain $5 for children. Discounts for groups of 15 or more are also available. To purchase tickets in advance or more information, visit www.chicagoflower.com or call (773) 435-1250.

March 13^th

Weekend Gardener. Gateway Covention Center, Collinsville, IL. Get rejuvenated and ready for spring at this event sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. Twenty workshop choices include a variety of topics, among them  Roses by Diane Brueckman; Wise Use of Water and Improving Soils by U of I Extension educator Duane Friend; Miniature Landscapes and Ornamental Grasses by U of I educator Martha Smith; Container Gardening by Sandy Richter of Sandy’s Backporch, Belleville; Vegetable Gardening by Master Gardener Dave Hinton; and several other intriguing topics.         

Registration information along with the complete program with description will be available at  www.extension.uiuc.edu/madisonstclair by January 15. Seating is limited to the first 150 and pre-registration is required by March 5.  For additional information, call (618) 650-7050.  If you have disability needs, please indicate when registering.  University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.