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St. Louis Today: Your Ultimate Guide to Urban Home Gardening
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Published in House and Home on Saturday, November 29th 2025 at 10:08 GMT by St. Louis Post-Dispatch- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
A Comprehensive Guide to Home Gardening in St. Louis: What the St. Louis Today Article Tells Us
The St. Louis Today piece “Home‑gardening for the curious” (published March 12, 2024) is a deep‑dive into the city’s burgeoning gardening culture, offering readers a step‑by‑step blueprint for turning any yard, balcony, or porch into a thriving, productive green space. The article is framed around a few key themes that resonate with both seasoned growers and green‑thumb novices alike: why gardening matters today, how to tailor a garden to your local climate and space constraints, and where to find the tools, knowledge, and community support you’ll need to succeed.
1. Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start
The article opens with a short but compelling look at the recent surge in “urban homesteading” and the personal‑health, environmental, and economic benefits that home gardens bring. The author cites a 2023 poll by the Missouri Agricultural Extension that found 62 % of St. Louis residents say gardening helps them reduce stress, while 48 % say it’s a way to save on grocery bills. The piece connects this trend to the city’s own climate data—short, warm growing seasons punctuated by occasional cold snaps—and argues that with a bit of planning, most residents can grow a significant portion of their own produce, even in tight spaces.
2. Assessing Your Space
A large, practical section of the article walks readers through evaluating their available area. The author distinguishes between three “garden types” that are especially popular in St. Louis:
| Garden Type | Ideal Space | Typical Planting Focus | Key Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container | Balcony, porch, small patio | Herbs, cherry tomatoes, lettuce | Use lightweight pots, deep watering |
| Raised Beds | Any yard, 3–5 ft deep | Root veggies, berry bushes, ornamental perennials | Layer with compost, gravel drainage |
| Vertical | Small yards, window sills | Creeping vines, succulents, dwarf fruit trees | Trellises, self‑watering systems |
The article includes an interactive “Garden Planner” link (https://stltoday.com/gardenplanner) that lets you upload a photo of your plot and receive plant‑suggestion recommendations based on your local USDA zone (6b for most of the city).
3. Picking the Right Plants
St. Louis’ humid subtropical climate means that a good spring crop can be harvested as early as late April, with a fall crop arriving by mid‑October. The article gives a “Plant Calendar” that shows what to sow and transplant for each season, with particular emphasis on heat‑tolerant varieties such as:
- Summer: “Heat‑Resistant” tomato varieties (e.g., “Solar Fire”), basil, cucumbers.
- Fall: Kale, Brussels sprouts, garlic, and early‑harvest strawberries.
The article also includes links to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s online seed catalog (https://www.mobot.org/seeds) and the local St. Louis Garden Center’s seasonal sale page, where readers can buy seed packets, starter plants, and specialty tools at a discount.
4. Soil, Compost, and Water Management
The piece devotes an entire section to building and maintaining healthy soil—arguably the most critical factor in successful gardening. Key points include:
- Soil Testing: The article recommends a free test kit from the St. Louis City Water Authority (link: https://slcwa.org/soil-testing) to check pH and nutrient levels.
- Compost Basics: A side‑bar on how to start a kitchen compost bin, including a link to a video tutorial hosted by the “Green Thumbs of St. Louis” community group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/groovygreenthumbs).
- Watering Strategy: The article explains the benefits of drip irrigation and moisture‑meter use to avoid over‑watering—a common mistake in humid climates.
The piece also discusses “rain barrels” and how city residents can legally install them (link: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/permits/rainbarrels) to reduce municipal water use and capture valuable precipitation.
5. Pest Management and Pollinator Support
In a thoughtful segment on sustainable pest control, the article lists natural predators (ladybugs, lacewings) and companion plants (marigolds, nasturtiums) that can keep aphids and other pests at bay. It highlights the local “Pollinator Network” program (https://pollinators.org) that distributes free bee houses to neighborhood gardeners, encouraging pollinator‑friendly practices that improve yields and biodiversity.
6. Community Resources and Networking
One of the article’s strongest appeals is its focus on community. It features interviews with:
- Marissa L., Founder of St. Louis Gardeners’ Guild: She explains the guild’s monthly meet‑ups, seed‑exchange events, and “Garden‑in‑a‑Box” kits for beginners.
- Dr. Jonathan H., Local Agricultural Extension Agent: He discusses the city’s “Community Garden Program” and how residents can apply for a plot in one of the 12 approved sites across the city.
The article also lists upcoming events, including the “Spring Planting Fair” at the Missouri Botanical Garden (link: https://www.mobot.org/plantfair) and a free “Urban Composting Workshop” offered by the St. Louis Public Library (link: https://www.stlouispl.org/composting). Each event link opens a calendar and RSVP form, ensuring readers can easily join in.
7. A Call to Action
The article closes with an encouraging message: no matter how small your space, you can start a garden that feeds both body and community. Readers are urged to download the “Urban Gardener’s Toolkit” PDF (link: https://stltoday.com/urbanguider) that consolidates all the article’s tips, a printable planting schedule, and a budget tracker.
Bottom Line
St. Louis Today’s home‑gardening article is a practical, community‑oriented guide that combines scientific advice, local resources, and a sense of neighborhood pride. Whether you’re a first‑time planter with a balcony or an experienced grower looking to expand into a new space, the piece gives you the information, tools, and connections to make your green project thrive. By following the links to local seed catalogs, community programs, and the city’s municipal resources, you’ll be equipped not only to grow healthy plants but also to participate in a broader, more sustainable urban ecosystem.
Read the Full St. Louis Post-Dispatch Article at:
[ https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/home-gardening/article_be5ca5f9-2c14-449e-96b7-dcaa6940de7b.html ]
