Native milkweed, not the imported tropical variety, which is actually more commonly available in nurseries, and has more spectacular flowers, but is not as good for butterflies.
We have a prairie meadow with three kinds of native milkweed. Unfortunately we are surrounded by over-insecticided farms and tracts of homes sitting in stands of sterile monocultures of lawn grass. The Monarchs really need the continuous miles of wild plants that used to grow along roads and between fields but are now ‘weed’ killer sprayed and mowed out of existence. Over the decades we have seen fewer and fewer butterflies and as well as all other pollinators. Last summer I saw a total of three Monarchs. Sad, very sad.
If you have the room and the $, it’s best to plant a variety of plants to furnish nectar and host plants on which eggs are laid and catepillars eat after hatching. A small mud bath is good, butterflies use it to get salts. A rock on which they can perch and warm up helps.
Instead of banning pipelines from Canada (which after all are the safest way to transport oil), Biden should approve them on condition that the pipeline corridor be planted with milkweed. Win-win!
GreasyOldTam over 3 years ago
Native milkweed, not the imported tropical variety, which is actually more commonly available in nurseries, and has more spectacular flowers, but is not as good for butterflies.
ronaldspence over 3 years ago
Thanks for not eating them Louie??
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member over 3 years ago
I’m not on the flight path, so I don’t think it’ll help.
SheMc over 3 years ago
Strawberries, Butterflies & Louie a recipe for happy days X
arolarson Premium Member over 3 years ago
We have a prairie meadow with three kinds of native milkweed. Unfortunately we are surrounded by over-insecticided farms and tracts of homes sitting in stands of sterile monocultures of lawn grass. The Monarchs really need the continuous miles of wild plants that used to grow along roads and between fields but are now ‘weed’ killer sprayed and mowed out of existence. Over the decades we have seen fewer and fewer butterflies and as well as all other pollinators. Last summer I saw a total of three Monarchs. Sad, very sad.
bxclent Premium Member over 3 years ago
on it
greyolddave over 3 years ago
I have tried almost every year to get milkweed seeds to sprout. So far no success.
judirapelje over 3 years ago
Several in the yard!!!!
oakie817 over 3 years ago
they are as important to our food sources as are bees
mourdac Premium Member over 3 years ago
If you have the room and the $, it’s best to plant a variety of plants to furnish nectar and host plants on which eggs are laid and catepillars eat after hatching. A small mud bath is good, butterflies use it to get salts. A rock on which they can perch and warm up helps.
alison over 3 years ago
The city cited me for having “noxious weeds” and made me mow down my pollinator garden.
Durak Premium Member over 3 years ago
We have just shy of 15 acres. I mow a big chunk around the house and have trails through the woods on the rest of it.
There is a large section that I leave unmowed every year where the milkweed grows ferociously.
Govi Premium Member over 3 years ago
Louie! Milkweed is a poisonous plant, so don’t plant it where dogs, cats, etc. or herbivores might munch on it.
DenisBlanchet over 3 years ago
Instead of banning pipelines from Canada (which after all are the safest way to transport oil), Biden should approve them on condition that the pipeline corridor be planted with milkweed. Win-win!
samfran6-0 over 3 years ago
I wonder what happened to the butterflies Nate saved. Did he get them from the toad or was it too late??
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 3 years ago
Good advice. Let’s help them out.
htenhoeve over 3 years ago
and leave your dandelions for the bees
Dry and Dusty Premium Member over 3 years ago
Good evening Crew!
rgcviper over 3 years ago
A nice public service announcement about planting. Thanks, Chip.
Good Evening, Crew.