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MILKWEED NOW FOR
MONARCHS TOMORROW
“Monarch butterfly populations are declining due to loss
of habitat. To assure a future for Monarchs, conservation
and restoration of milkweeds needs to become a priority.”
– By Suzanne Soto-Davies
– Chip Taylor, Director, Monarch Watch
The number of Monarch butterflies may be at a record low,
but Fall is the perfect season to get a head start on supporting
next year’s Monarch population, because most milkweed
requires a cold stratification process (a period of moist cold)
which helps seeds germinate.
Milkweed is the monarch’s only food plant, and the place
where they lay their eggs, so planting milkweed is key to the
Monarch’s survival. The best time of year for fall planting is
late October through November.
What to plant
The Monarch Watch non-profit organization (monarchwatch.
org) recommends that in order to create a habitat for Monarchs,
you need to provide milkweeds for the larvae, nectar plants
for the adults, and sufficient vegetation to provide shelter.
There is a strong need for creating “Monarch Waystations”
(habitats) in home gardens, at schools, businesses, parks, zoos,
along roadsides, and even on unused plots of land.
The standard Monarch Waystation Seed Kit ($16 usd) is
designed to enable anyone to create a habitat suitable for
monarchs, within the context of a traditional garden. Included
in the kit is a nine variety pack of nectar and monarch host
plants (with each individual packet of approximately 30-80
seeds) and a detailed “Creating a Monarch Waystation” guide.
Once established, these Waystation guides can be registered
on the Monarch Watch website, a certificate is issued, and an
ID is provided along with a 9x12” weatherproof sign.
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Soil Conditions
Many butterfly plants prefer well-drained soil that is rich
in organic matter, so it’s a great opportunity to use that
compost heap you’ve been cooking up all summer! Or take
the opportunity to pick some up during this fall’s “compost
drive” at your local Region.
While many sources say that a butterfly garden should receive
full sun, butterflies like both sun and shade, as do many plant
species. Remember that butterflies also prefer areas with little
or no wind, otherwise they may blow right on by!
Create a Memorial Butterfly Garden
Many butterfly gardens are created as lasting tributes
to someone special because butterflies represent positive
transformations and freedom. This is a great idea for creating
a beautiful garden that will not only be revisited yearly by
these special creatures, but one in which you could add an
engraved garden stone or other mementos.
Are you in?
Monarch Watch is a non-profit organization that conducts
research which promotes the conservation of monarch
butterflies. Waystations are community-created monarch
habitats throughout North America. By creating and registering
your own waystation, you’ll be helping the monarchs recover
from devastating population loss. We just purchased our
first Waystation Seed Kit – hope you too will join in! •
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