Photograph by Paul Mannix, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Now that it's starting to rain, and the temperature's dropping, it's easier to believe that a frost is possible before April 15. Mid-April is the generally safe time to start putting annuals like flowers, tomatoes and okra in the ground. Yes, it's all hard to fathom after a week of June temperatures in March (there are even mosquitoes flying around), but trust us. It is so. On the other hand, it's a good time to grow peas and lettuce. If you've already got lettuces sprouting, we hope they didn't bolt during the warm spell.
So, countind down toward mid-April, some classes to help you gear up for gardening season:
March 24
Bowood Gardens' Kathie Hoyer will teach you how to build a moss garden, which (in supahumid St. Louis) is a low-maintenance (not to mention romantically Gothic-looking) alternative to turfgrass. Of course, you do need a damp, shady spot, so if you live on a block with century trees, this class is made for you. Free. Time: 2 p.m. Bowood Farms, 4605 Olive, 314-454-6868, bowoodfarms.com.
March 27
Sugar Creek Gardens hosts "Let's Make a Terrarium." (For advice on making a terrarium on your own time, check out Trenna Travis' recent post on the subject.) Designs covered in the class include traditional terrariums, "fairy gardens," and contemporary terrariums. The $45 class fee includes materials, including glass containers, soil and plants. (They'll shave $10 off the class fee if you bring your own glass container.) 5 p.m., reservations required. Sugar Creek Gardens, 1011 Woodlawn. 314-965-3070, sugarcreekgardens.com.
March 29
Hillerman Nursery and Florist teaches a class on how to grow your own herbs at home...and then use them for cooking, potpourri, tea, sachets and more. Free. 6-8 p.m. Hillermann Nursery & Florist, 2601 E. 5th, Washington, Mo., 636-239-6729, hillermann.com.
March 29
Nancee Kruescheck of Meramac Community College stops by Sappington Garden Shop to teach the waggishly titled class, "Vegetable Gardening: How Does Your Garden Grow, or Does It?" The class is free, and is held at both 2 and 7 p.m. Sappington Market, 11530 Gravois, 314-843-4700, sappingtongardenshop.com.
Through March 31
If are bereft of lettuce, and in fact bereft of a place to plant it in the first place, Gateway Greening's sposnoring a "Backyard Garden Giveaway," though March 31. The winning entrant will get a 4-by-8 raised garden, delivered and installed by the fine folk at GG. To enter, go to Gateway Greening's Facebook page (facebook.com/GatewayGreening), "like" their page, and register for the contest. GG will notify the winner within five business days. For more info, go to gatewaygreening.org or call 314-588-9600.
March 31
If you've always wanted to integrate native plants into your garden but were not sure how (they are not, despite the rumors, maintenance-free), check out this class, sponsored by Missouri Department of Conservation, Shaw Nature Reserve, St. Louis Audubon Society, Wild Ones, Grow Native & Missouri Prairie Foundation, held at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Designed for both beginners and those who already have native plants in their gardens, this all-day workshop covers topics like invasive species, biodiversity, attracting pollinators and more. $15, preregistration required. 8 a,m.-4 p.m. Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center, 11715 Cragwold, 314-301-1500, http://mdc.mo.gov/regions/st-louis/powder-valley-conservation-nature-center.
And if you want to do your own research on native plants, check out the Missouri Botanical Garden's Plants of Merit website.
