Have you ever considered planting milkweed plants? I know you’re probably thinking, “Are you kidding me? There are over a billion plants I could plant, why would I choose milkweed?” Well, to tell you the truth, I didn’t even know milkweed existed until a couple of months ago. That is, until I had a friend post on Facebook that she had some seeds to give away, and planting these attracted monarch butterflies. I then imagined my three daughters would be amazed by having butterflies in our own backyard. So I commented and said I was interested, and that is when we began our journey of saving the monarch butterflies.
Planting the seeds was an easy and fun activity for my two oldest daughters, ages 8 and 5 years old. Every day 
throughout the summer, the girls were excited about checking on the plants. Then finally we got to see many different kinds of insects. My oldest daughter, McKenzie, calls it our science experience. When I look back at the whole experience I think it was more than planting seeds — it was saving the monarch butterflies, enjoying nature, seeing science close up and making memories with my kids. I encourage you to experience “planting of the seeds.”
I encourage you to do this because our children’s children may grow up in a world without monarch butterflies. We could lose the monarch butterflies in our lifetime if something does not change. You have the power to change that by planting a seed and encouraging others to plant seeds in their backyard.
Here are some fun facts:
- Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweed.
- Their caterpillars only eat milkweed.
- The milkweed population has decreased over the years due to the plants being cut down.
- Monarch butterflies have been slowly disappearing.
- Milkweed flowers from June to August.
- The seeds are equipped with hairy filaments which facilitate dispersal by wind.
- Milkweed is easy to plant.
- Milkweed can survive two to 25 years in the wild.
- Monarchs can produce four generations during one summer.
- Habitat loss, and loss of milkweed, threaten monarch butterflies.
- You can help by planting seeds.
If you are interested in planting milkweed seeds you can order seeds today at www.livemonarch.com.
Please let us know if you are planning on planting seeds and saving the monarch butterflies. We would love to hear from you and see your pictures!
More links:
http://monarchjointventure.org/get-involved/create-habitat-for-monarchs/
http://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/milkweed_facts/1396/
http://www.defenders.org/monarch-butterfly/basic-facts