Host a Milkweed for Monarchs Event!
Host a Milkweed for Monarchs Event!
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A Monarch Caterpillar on Milkweed, and I got my photo in the local paper!
It's easy!
It's easy!
Milkweed is a plant native to North America and essential for the Monarch Butterfly. It is the ONLY plant in the world they lay their eggs on.
This means: NO MILKWEED, NO MONARCHS.
In October 2024 I planned an Milkweed Seed Giveaway in my town and it had great results!
Over 6,000 seeds were given out along with some education. These seeds have been planted throughout my community and will support the threatened pollinator and Monarch Butterfly population.
I hope you will take this idea and make it your own wherever you live!
I hope you will take this idea and make it your own wherever you live!
Below are free resources you can use for your community event!
Tips:
Tips:
I had success by tagging onto an already existing annual event in my town. Because I was giving the seeds away for free and doing something to benefit the community, the event planners gave me my table space free of charge! Be sure to ask if this is an option at local events in your area.
Autumn is the perfect time to plant milkweed seeds. They require going through the cold winter season in order to germinate and grow in the springtime. Therefore harvest festivals, halloween events, or any autumnal happening is a great place to set up and have foot traffic at the perfect time for planting. I got much more traffic by participating in an already well attended event than trying to start my own from scratch.
Talk to people! Most passersby I spoke to had no knowledge of the connection between Monarchs and Milkweed! Just saying, "I'm giving out free milkweed seeds. It's the only plant Monarch Butterflies will lay their eggs on. Would you like some?" can open up conversations that educate the public and get people excited about planting milkweed!
You don't have to be an expert. If you are on this page, you already know all you need to know to help the Monarch Butterflies!
Where do I get the Milkweed Seeds?
Where do I get the Milkweed Seeds?
First, find some Milkweed in your area.
You might know people who have it growing in their yards.
You might contact a native plant nursery in your area.
You might see it in the wild.
(When you harvest the seed pods, please don't take them all! Leave enough so the plants have a shot at reseeding themselves where they are already thriving!)
I asked a native plant nursery about it, and their property had tons of common milkweed growing all over. They were happy to let me walk the fields and fill my tote bag with the seed pods as they were drying out in September.
I also got pods from another native variety, Swamp Milkweed, from a friend who had some in her yard.
And my local elementary school has a pollinator garden the kids take care of. I inquired and the teacher was happy to let me collect seed pods from their garden to share!
How do I Clean the Seeds?
How do I Clean the Seeds?
It's pretty easy, it just takes a little time. I suggest doing this outside so your house isn't covered in white fluff (although that is kind of fun!)
Here is the best technique I came up with after lots of practice:
Grasp the bottom of the seed pod between your thumb and index finger of your left hand.
With your right hand, break open the dried pod.
You will see the white fluff neatly organized with the seeds attached towards the top of the seed pod.
Hold the seed pod over a bowl.
While continuing to hold the base of the pod and all the white fibers tightly, use your fingertips to gently scrape the seeds from the fibers. They should come right off.
See photo of open seed pods below. I hope to add a video of this next fall!
Education and Handouts
Education and Handouts
Along with each seed packet, I stapled a small piece of paper with planting instructions. You can make your own or use the one I have provided below.
I displayed info graphics with photos in simple acrylic stands on the table.
My venue happened to be a Kids Event, so I also created some coloring sheets and had a table with crayons adjacent to the seed table. I couldn't believe how many children were attracted to this activity! AND, while the parents stood by waiting for the kids to finish coloring, I had their ear to tell them about milkweed and get them excited to take seeds and plant!
Access the planting instructions, info graphics, and coloring sheets below. Feel free to use!
Planting Instructions:
KIDSFEST 2024 (1).pdfInformation Graphics:
KIDSFEST 2024 (2).pdfColoring Sheets:
KIDSFEST 2024.pdfPage updated
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