Monarch Caterpillars Munching on Milkweed
Ordering information:
Please note that the milkweed seeds are available in two different species and two different quantities. Please place your order amounts in the comment section of this post as follows:
Your Name, Your Email Address (optional), and Seed Type and Quantity.
For Example:
Pippi Longstocking, villavillakula@gmail.com
1 Packet Common Milkweed 3.50
1 oz. Marsh Milkweed 15.00
2 Packets Pink New England Aster @ 3.50 ea. = 7.00
My order total: $25.50
We are not collecting money ahead of time for the seeds. The orders are placed entirely by the honor system. Last year we did not have a single stiff and I will accept cash or check at the time of pick up. Seed pick up and information day will be Sunday, May 18th, from 9:30 to noon, at Captain Joe and Sons.
The packets of milkweed seeds (200-300 seeds) are perfect for a relatively smallish patch.
The larger ounce quantity is ideal for planting larger areas. On average, plan on 50 seeds per square foot. If your patch is 10 feet x 10 feet, that equals 100 square feet, and would require approximately 5,000 seeds.
Additionally, we are also offering pink and purple New England aster seeds. I’ve never grown New England asters from seed, but have read that they are relatively easy to start (although slow to germinate). New England asters make a beautiful border and will not only offer sustenance to southward migrating Monarchs, but in late summer also provide nectar for myriad species of bees and butterflies.
SEEDS
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Seed Packet (300 seeds) 3.50
1 ounce (4900 seeds) 12.00
Marsh Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Seed packet (200 seeds) 3.50
1 oz. (5,200 seeds) 15.00
Pink New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae variation)
Seed Packet (1000 seeds) 3.50
Purple New England Aster (Aster novae angliae)
Seed Packet (1750seeds) 3.50
* * *
Why is it so important to plant milkweed for the Monarchs? Milkweed is the only food plant of the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. The Monarch butterfly migration is in serious peril due to loss of habitat in the United States by the use of Monsanto’s genetically modified Roundup Ready corn, soybean, and sorghum crops. Global climate change is also a factor in the weakening migration. We can all help mitigate some of the destruction by planting milkweed and nectar-rich wildflowers.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is the milkweed we see most typically growing in our dunes, meadows, roadsides, and fields. It grows quickly and spreads vigorously by underground runners. This is a great plant if you have an area of your garden that you want to devote entirely to milkweed. It prefers full sun, will tolerate some shade, and will grow in nearly any type of soil. The flowers are dusty mauve pink and have a wonderful honey-hay sweet scent.
Common Milkweed and Monarch Caterpillars J-shape
Marsh Milkweed (Aclepias incarnata) is more commonly found in marshy areas, but grows beautifully in gardens. It does not care for dry conditions. These plants are very well-behaved and are more clump forming, rather than spreading by underground roots. The flowers are typically a brighter pink than Common Milkweed.
Marsh Milkweed and Monarch Butterfly
New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) is a hardy late summer perennial that grows approximately 36 inches to 60 inches. New England asters prefer wet to medium soil, grow well in full sun, and will tolerate part shade.
Monarch Butterfly Nectaring at New England Aster
Kim — I will be on the other side of the country on the 18th of May, returning late on the 19th. If I could make arrangements to pick up the seeds and pay you a couple of days after the official pick up date, I’d like to order:
Jane Mead
jwmassoc@msn.com
4 packets common milkweed @ $3.50 each — $14.00
Thank you.
No problem at all Jane. Thank you!
Thanks so much. I’ll be in touch when I get home.
Your message is spreading past Gloucester as most of the seed that I ordered are for gardeners in Boston and beyond.
Jane
Is it too late to place an order?
Donna Rudek, donna.rudek@gmail.com
1 oz. marsh milkweed at $15.00
Order total $15.00
Since I live in Central MA, can you possibly add postage?
My address is 194 North St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545
I saw you today at the Shrewsbury Garden Club – thanks again for such an inspiring talk! I’m going to see if some of the seed can go to the school gardens here. If this doesn’t work, can I order directly?
Hi Donna, It was good to meet you yesterday. Thank you so much for your positive feedback. I would be happy to ship the seeds to you and will let you know the cost with shipping when the seeds arrive (next week). Best wishes, Kim
Hi Kim,
Thanks so much! Let me know postage cost and I’ll include it and a bit more for your time and trouble. I posted your site to my facebook personal and business pages and ordered enough seed to be able to offer it to the first ten people who expressed an interest. I’m going to plant the seeds in pots as well to give to area schools. As the season progresses, I will let you know whether I see increased activity. I also purchased dill and parsley seeds.
When I first moved here (before development wiped them all out), we had a stand in the woods of lindera bezoin (spicebush) and used to see tons of spicebush swallowtails. Alas they are gone, along with many bird species, and I rarely see this shrub offered in local nurseries. Its a wonderful shrub, with electric yellow blossoms similar to cornelian cherry dogwood, early in the season. If you know of a source, pllease pass it along!
Best, Donna
PS. SO GLAD I attended the garden club meeting!!!!
Hi Kim, I haven’t heard about the cost of postage for the seeds I ordered, and I would like to pay you. Have they arrived? Let me know and thanks again for the extra work during our busy season!
Hi Kim, I so appreciate your beautiful and thoughtful art and your connection to the bigger picture.
I’ve been painting from some of the monarch chrysalis photos that I took a couple of years ago – the butterfly’s wings and body appearing from within. It’s become that much more meaningful as a metaphor.
Thanks for your affirmations of life!
Ingrid Johnson
3 oz. Common Milkweed $36
1 Packet each of Purple & Pink New England Aster $7
My order total: $43
Hi Kim,
This will be my first time to plant milkweed, and we only have a small area in the front to do it, as we will also have vegetables, flowers, etc. in the backyard. So could you please decide how much I should order and just let me know when you have a chance? Thanks! kirstin@sparx3.com
Kirstin Elaine Martin
I live in Rockport. I just learned about the Cape Ann Milkweed Project. Is there still a way to get milkweed or aster seeds? Thanks!
My Monarch Butterfly and bees are enjoying tobacco flowers, but nicotine is an insecticide. They seem fine, and it flowers when nothing else is going. Know anything about that? I too offer Milkweed seeds at my Catnip stand (good idea 4 U, 5$/oz, $/1/2 oz, plus plants and seeds). X Monsanto!
Crazy! The caterpillar is a preview on the butterfly 🙂