Grow, Milkweed!

Ha! It only took me a month to purchase milkweed seeds and then another month to plant them. I'm on my way to helping save the monarch butterflies. The butterflies in our region have started their way back to Canada, but maybe the milkweed will be in bloom when they return in the fall.

Rather than planting the milkweed seeds in the ground, I sowed the seeds into egg shells and little pots. Yup, I actually saved eggshells the last time I made scrambled eggs. Remembering the shells this morning was my incentive to plant the seeds today.  It's a good thing the Mama was busy in another part of the yard. I can imagine her shuddering at my haphazard way of sprinkling the seeds into the soil rather than the orderly fashion that she would do. I did talk to the seeds and wished them well, as the Mama does.

When the seedlings get big enough, I'll either transplant them to the ground or bigger pots. Maybe by then I can get the Mama to let me have some space in the front yard. The plants are supposed to grow three feet high in full sun. I don't know how she's going to feel about that. If the flowers are very pretty, the monarchs will have food for years to come.

Are you interested in growing milkweed to help save the monarch butterflies? There are different types of milkweed, so it's important you plant the milkweed that suits your area. If you live in Central Coast California, check out Douglas–Michel Butterfly Plants. For other areas, check out the milkweed seed finder page at The Xerces Society website.