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How to Transplant Milkweed

4/26/2020

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Spring is a great time to transplant milkweed plants! Milkweed has a deep taproot and it is best to transplant when the plant is small and the tap root is not as deep. If you cut off too much of the taproot then it is not likely to succeed.

I found a milkweed plant growing in a bed of lettuce in my garden that had most likely been grown by seed dispersal last year. Luckily, the soil was fairly loose and it was easy to dig deep enough to get the entire tap root. If you are interested in transplanting a plant from the wild or somewhere not on your property, seek permission before doing so. In addition, make sure that you know it is milkweed before digging. Here is a clear guide on milkweed identification if you have any doubts. 

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1. It is best to transplant milkweed in the spring when the plant is small. Transplant on a day that is cloudy or during the cooler morning/evening hours. This will make it less stressful on the plant. 

2. Choose a small plant no more than 6 inches tall to transplant. 

3. Dig so you have a root ball that extends outward a few inches on all sides of the stem and at least 6 inches deep.

4. Find an area in your yard that receives full sun.

5. Once in the ground, water thoroughly. 



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5 Ways Gardening Helps Manage Stress and Improve Well-Being

4/20/2020

13 Comments

 

Gardening has long been considered therapeutic for people experiencing stress or mental health issues. In the late eighteenth century, Dr. Benjamin Rush, who was considered to be the first psychiatrist, reported beneficial effects of horticulture for people with mental health difficulties. There has been a recent revival of nature-based health solutions as our world becomes more urbanized. 

According to numerous studies, gardening can relieve stress, boost your immunity, maintain mental health and so much more! 

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Improving Physical Health

Gardening helps you meet physical activity recommendations that make you healthier and happier!
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According to a 2017 study published by the Sustainability academic journal,  gardening tasks that use both the upper and lower body meet the physical activity recommendations from the CDC and American College of Sport Medicine for moderate-intensity physical activity for older adults. Furthermore, results from the Short-Form 36 health survey showed that gardening can promote hand strength, pinch force, and overall physical health.

Reducing Stress and Providing Therapy

Did you know that fascination for your garden can actually be a restorative practice?

According to Kaplan (1989), directed attention is a limited resource that can be overloaded (causing stress) and that people need to use the alternative system, fascination, to restore it. Fascination is thought to be dominant in natural environments, such as gardens, where there are captivating stimuli to hold attention.

Nature is intrinsically healing. Simply looking out your window at nature can boost your sense of well-being! So get out there are plant those beautiful flowers so you can view beautiful butterflies fluttering outside your window as well. 
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According to research by Kaplan (2001), viewing plants and a garden through your window contributes to a feeling of well-being and satisfaction. Another study demonstrated that being able to observe nature – through view of trees from their hospital bed – had physiological and psychological healing benefits for patients recovering from surgery when compared to patients who had a view of a brick building wall (Ulrich, 1984)

Improving Memory and Cognition

Stress can actually decrease one's ability to remember things and problem solve.

According to a recent study, the restorative quality of gardens can improve cognition, memory and problem solving abilities! (Adhemar).

Boost Immunity 

Eating vegetables straight from your garden are known to increase your immune system as your body receives all those nutrients!

Brightly-colored vegetables have been noted to increase interleukin-2, a substance responsible for promoting white cell function in the immune system (Gibson, 2012). 

Promoting Mental Health and Reducing Stress

There are numerous scientific studies that have concluded that gardening can have a myriad of psychological benefits such as: reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

An article by Ulrich (1991) concludes that exposure to natural environments is one of the most important factors to stress recovery. Close contact with nature yields numerous psychological and physiological benefits, ranging from increased pain tolerance, recovery from stress and anxiety through to relaxation and enhanced wellbeing (Clatworthy, 2012). ​Domestic gardens provide regular access to sunshine and fresh air, which regulate circadian rhythms that control sleeping and eating patterns.

Citations

Adhemar, A. (2008). Nature as clinical psychological intervention: Evidence, applications and implications. MSc Thesis. University of Arhus, Denmark. 

Clatworthy, J. Gardening and wellbeing. Diss. Canterbury Christ Church University, 2012.
APA

​Dewi, Nugrahaning Sani, et al. "Community gardens as health promoters: Effects on mental and physical stress levels in adults with and without mental disabilities." Sustainability 9.1 (2017): 63.

Gibson, A., Edgar, J. D., Neville, C. E., Gilchrist, S. E., McKinley, M. C., Patterson, C. C., … Woodside, J. V. (2012). Effect of fruit and vegetable consumption on immune function in older people: a randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96(6), 1429–1436. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.039057

Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.  

Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224, 4647, 420.

Ulrich, R. S. (1991), Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A. and Zelson, M. Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 11, 3, 201-30.

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Top Trees for Attracting Butterflies

4/18/2020

64 Comments

 

In honor of Arbor Day coming up on April 24th, we thought we would talk about some of the top butterfly-supporting trees! The trees we have chosen wear multiple hats, so to speak. These trees will support more than one species of caterpillar in its development to becoming a full-fledged butterfly!

​Trees play a vital role in supporting butterflies because they provide shelter, food, and water! If you look at the Oyamel Fir forest in Mexico or the Eucalyptus trees in California in the winter, you will notice that Monarchs spend most of their time on these trees. 


Something to consider when planting trees to support pollinators is that butterflies will lay their eggs on the leaves of these trees and the leaves may fall off so it is important to not immediately rake these leaves up!

Oak (Quercus spp.)

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Oaks might arguably be the most valuable host tree for butterflies because they support so many different species of butterflies.

Butterflies that consider Oak trees a host plant are : Striped Hairstreak, Banded Hairstreak, Mourning Cloak, Edwards Hairstreak, Red Banded Hairstreak, White M Hairstreak, and Horace's Duskywing.

Distribution: Oaks include any of about 450 species of ornamental and timber trees and shrubs  distributed throughout the north temperate zone and at high altitudes in the tropics.
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Mourning cloak caterpillar and chrysalis.

Cherry Tree (Prunus avium)

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Not only are Cherry trees a beautiful blooming tree but they also host a huge variety of butterflies and moths including: the American Snout,  Red-spotted Purple, Spring Azure, Viceroy, Coral Hairstreak, Hummingbird Clearwing, Cecropia Silk Moth, and White Admiral. 

​Distribution: Though not native to North America, most of the sweet cherry crop in North America is grown in the Pacific Coast states and in Michigan and Ontario.
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Viceroy caterpillar.

Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana )

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Sweetbay magnolias are a host tree for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Palamedes Swallowtail,  Sweetbay Silkmoth and Spicebush Swallowtail. In spring,  sweetbay magnolias produce a profusion of creamy white flowers that carry a light lemon scent. 
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Distribution: Sweetbay grows along the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains from Massachusetts south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Tennessee.
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Spicebush swallowtail caterpillar.

Elms (Ulmus spp.)

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Elms are a host plant for several butterflies such as the Question Mark, Eastern Comma, Hackberry Butterfly, Tawny Emperor, and Mourning Cloak.  
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This tall, popular much-loved Elm tree has beautiful lustrous green leaves throughout the summer that change to a lovely shade of yellow in the fall.  Dutch elm disease has been fatal to many elm trees in the past and with new Elm varieties on the market, saving the Elm trees will bring back a part of American history that has been missing from our landscapes. Planting Elms are essential to the conservation of trees and to many butterflies that rely on them as a food source.

Distribution: Elm trees are a species native to eastern North America, naturally occurring from Nova Scotia west to Alberta and Montana, and south to Florida and central Texas. 
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Tawny Emperor caterpillar.

Willows (Salix spp.)

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Yes, beautiful Willows provide food in the larval stage for the Striped Hairstreak, Compton Tortoise Shell, Northern Pearly Eye, Cecropia Moth, Mourning Cloak, Red-spotted Purple, and Viceroy butterflies.

​Willows are fast growing and will tolerate many soil types. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes. These trees are an important host plant to butterflies and are an impressive addition to your landscaping.

Distribution: Willows originated from China, but can be found throughout the northern hemisphere (Europe, Asia and North America). Willow inhabits temperate areas that provide enough moisture and direct sunlight. They are often found near the lakes and ponds or planted in gardens and parks because of its ornamental morphology.
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Cecropia moth caterpillar. This is the largest moth in North America.

Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

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Is there a perfect tree? Consider the magnificent Hackberry tree, Celtis occidentalis. Many species of butterflies consider it the perfect caterpillar food plant, including the Question Mark, Mourning Cloak, Hackberry Emperor, Tawny Emperor and the darling American Snout. 

Birds also celebrate Hackberry trees as well! Winter residents such as yellow-bellied sapsuckers, wild turkeys, and mockingbirds depend on the persistent berries.

Distribution: Common hackberry is most common in the midwestern United States. It is sparingly distributed in Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, rare along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Virginia, occasional in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia, and restricted to Hemphill County in the Texas panhandle.
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American snout caterpillar.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

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The Serviceberry is a host plant for​ Red-spotted Purple and Viceroy caterpillars. Fruits are also eaten by songbirds, small mammals, and large mammals.

Serviceberry is a deciduous tree that may grow 20 to 40 feet tall. In spring, 5-petaled, white flowers mature. The small tree produces a red to purple berry that matures in the fall.
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Distribution: Common serviceberry occurs from the southern tip of Newfoundland south to the northern tip of the Florida Panhandle and west to southern Ontario and Quebec, eastern Kansas, the eastern edge of Nebraska, and southern Mississippi and Alabama.



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Red-spotted purple caterpillar.

Paw Paw  (Asimina triloba)

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Zebra swallowtail butterfly.
This is the one exception to our list of versatile host trees because it only supports one type of butterfly. However, this is the ONLY host plant for the spectacular Zebra Swallowtail. In addition, the Paw Paw fruit is often compared to bananas, but with hints of mango, vanilla, and citrus. Despite its diminutive size, it produces the largest edible fruit to North America. 

Distribution: Asimina triloba, the pawpaw, is native to the Eastern, Southern, and Midwestern United States and adjacent Ontario, Canada, from New York west to southeastern Nebraska, and south to northern Florida and eastern Texas.
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Zebra swallowtail caterpillar.
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How to Move a Monarch Chrysalis

4/11/2020

57 Comments

 

Monarchs very rarely pupate on the host plant that they hatched on. In fact, they can pupate up to 10 meters away from their original host milkweed! They look for places to pupate where they will be safe from predators and inclement weather but sometimes they don't always choose the most logical locations. Here is a list of places to look for chrysalises. 

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Why would I want to move a chrysalis?

1) It has fallen to the ground. 

Monarch chrysalises can get dislodged by wind, rain, birds, people and several other factors! In order for a Monarch to eclose safely, the chrysalis needs to be suspended in the air. The Monarchs often cling to their empty chrysalis as they uncrumple their wings and air dry them before being able to take flight. If they do not have sufficient space ( at least 1-2 inches on all sides and 4 inches below), their wings may not develop correctly and they won't be able to fly. 

2) It's in harm's way. 

Have you ever found a chrysalis in a doorway, on a car tire, on a window or somewhere you know it is unsafe? You may want to relocate the chrysalis to a safer location. 
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Two monarch chrysalises hanging in a precarious place. Photo by Maria Realme.

3) You want to watch the metamorphosis occur. 

It's okay if you want to move the chrysalis into a protected area such as a butterfly house or mesh enclosure in order to watch the beautiful process occur. Experts say that less than 10% of wild Monarchs survive outdoors due to predation. Monarchs make up for this low rate of survival by laying 300-500 eggs in their lifetimes. Watching this miracle occur is a joy for all ages and can be a wonderful educational tool for children. 
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How to Move a Monarch Chrysalis

Materials Needed:
- Dental Floss
- A Pin or Safety Pin
- Scissors

Step 1: Locate the Chrysalis and Make Sure It is Safe to Move

Fresh chrysalises are delicate and need time to harden before you can move them safely. Observe the chrysalis before moving it. Is it an opaque green or is it starting to turn transparent so you can see the Monarch inside? 

The Monarch's pupation stage is 10-14 days and the chrysalis will harden after 1-2 days. If the chrysalis is completely transparent, revealing the black and orange butterfly within, it will begin to emerge within 24 hours. If you are unsure when pupation occured, it is best to wait a day before moving the chrysalis.

​However, If you know that it is in dire danger, then move immediately with the utmost care. If a chrysalis breaks, it will ooze and the Monarch will not be able to survive this damage. 


Step 2: Remove the Silk Pad

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Photo by Rachel Liester.
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A Monarch chrysalis within 24 hours of eclosure. Photo by Matthew Losee.
Look closely at the chrysalis and use a magnifying glass if necessary. The silk pad will be attached to the surface and the black cremaster is directly below it. Very gently, loosen the silk pad by inserted the pin where the surface and silk meet. Try not to disturb the cremaster. Carefully, wiggle the pin until the silk starts to pull away from the surface. Once there is enough slack, pull the silk off of the surface with your fingers or tweezers if needed. Cup your other hand beneath the chrysalis to protect it from falling to the ground. 

Step 3: Adhere Dental Floss to the Silk Pad

  • Cut a piece of floss about 5 inches long or longer depending where you will be hanging it.
  • Tie a loose knot in center of the floss to create a small loop.
  • Slip the loop over the silk right above the black tip of the chrysalis (the cremaster)
  • Pull the knot tight but make sure it won't slip off. A double knot will make it extra secure.
  • If you ever encounter a chrysalis that is missing all the silk, you can use a tiny dab of super glue to adhere the knot.

Step 4: Hang the Beautiful Chrysalis

Grab the ends of the floss and tie around a branch, rod or other secure fixture that is at least 4 inches off of the ground and 1 inches of clearance on all sides. If you are using a mesh enclosure instead, use the pin to secure the knot to the top of the cage. 
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Step 5: Let the Butterfly Hang Out!

It takes several hours for the monarch butterfly's wings to dry properly. They may begin to flap them gently to expedite the process. Let them be and do not touch their wings at all while they are drying. This can damage the scales on them and render them unable to fly. 

Congratulations!! You just successfully moved a chrysalis and may have just save their lives!
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A freshly emerged Monarch with wings that have yet to straighten and dry. Photo by Matthew Losee.
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Butterfly Garden Necessities

3/31/2020

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🦋Provide a water source such as a bird bath, shallow dish, fountain or pond. Butterflies prefer shallow water!

🦋Place your garden in a sunny area with wind breaks. Trees or sheds provide a nice windbreak for butterflies.

​🦋Native plants are the best choices for your area because insects have evolved with them and have specialized relationships. 

🦋Plant large groupings of the same plant called “pollinator targets”. They are easier to spot from the air and easier to go from plant to plant in small areas.

🦋Keep plants that bloom throughout the growing season called successive blooming. This helps pollinators at each stage of their lives.

🦋Have some early bloomers to help with spring feed visitors as well as some late bloomers for late fall visitors.

🦋Eliminate your use of pesticides which can harm both beneficial and non-native insects.

🦋Pollinators like unkempt gardens so delay the fall cleanup until Spring!

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Common Butterflies and the Plants Their Caterpillars Eat

(Eastern) Black Swallowtail

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Host Plants: Dill, parsley, fennel, carrot

Preferred nectar sources: Golden alexanders (Zizia aptera and Z. aurea), Common Milkweed. Joe-Pye Weed, Late-flowering Boneset, Oregano, Privet, Purple Coneflower, Wild Bergamot, Zinnia

Native range: ​Most of the eastern U.S., north into Quebec, west into S. Saskatchewan, Colorado and SE. California; south to South America. ​

Common Buckeye

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Host plants: Plantains, gerardias, toadflax, snapdragons, false loosestrifes

Preferred nectar sources: Mist Flower, White Clover, Sunflower

Native range: Resident in the southern United States and north along the coasts to central California and North Carolina; south to Bermuda, Cuba, Isle of Pines, and southern Mexico. Adults from the south's first brood migrate north in late spring and summer to temporarily colonize most of the United States and parts of southern Canada. ​

Monarch

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​Host plants: Milkweed species

Preferred nectar sources: Blue Cardinal Flower, Swamp Milkweed, Butterfly Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Heath Aster, Heliotrope, Joe-Pye Weed, Lantana, Late-flowering Boneset, Marigold, Mist Flower, Mustard Greens, New England Aster, New York Ironweed, Showy Coneflower, Smooth Aster, Wingstem, Zinnia

Range: ​Southern Canada south through all of the United States, Central America, and most of South America. Also present in Australia, Hawaii, and other Pacific Islands.

Conservation status: Overwintering sites in California and Mexico should be protected and conserved.

Mourning Cloak

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Host Plants: Willow, aspen, cottonwood, elm

Preferred nectar sources: Oak tree sap

Native range: ​All of North America south of the tundra to central Mexico; rarely in the Gulf States and peninsular Florida. Also native to temperate Eurasia.

Note: Adults live 10-11 months and may be our longest lived butterfly!

​Painted Lady

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Host plants: Thistle, hollyhock, sunflower

Preferred nectar sources: Native thistles; also aster, cosmos, blazing star, ironweed, and joe-pye weed, red clover, buttonbush, privet, and milkweeds.

Native range: ​On all continents except Australia and Antarctica. From the deserts of northern Mexico, the Painted Lady migrates and temporarily colonizes the United States and Canada south of the Arctic. Occasionally, population explosions in Mexico will cause massive northward migrations.

Note: The Painted Lady makes a 9,000 mile roundtrip migration (almost twice as far as the Monarch) ​

Pearl Crescent

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​Host plants: Smooth-leaved true asters including Aster pilosus, A. texanus, and A. laevis.

Preferred nectar sources: Black-Eyed Susan,  Common Dandelion, Daisy Fleabane,  Garlic Chives, Heath Aster, Late-flowering Boneset, Marigold, Mist Flower, New England Aster, Sedum (Autumn Joy), Showy Coneflower, Small White Aster, Stiff Goldenrod, Coreopsis
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Native range: ​Northwest Territories south along the eastern edges of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountains to central Mexico, east through all the eastern United States.

​Red Spotted Purple

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Host plants: Wild cherry, oak, poplar, hawthorn, willow

Preferred nectar sources: Spiraea, privet, and viburnum

Native range: Alaska and subarctic Canada southeast of the Rocky Mountains to central Texas; east to New England and central Florida. Isolated populations in Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas south into Mexico. 
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Note: The Red-spotted Purple is a mimic of the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor).

​Regal Fritillary

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​Host plants: Violets

Preferred nectar sources: Milkweeds, native thistles, red clover, and mountain mint.

Native range: Tall-grass prairie remnants in Montana and North Dakota south to Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; rare or absent from former range east of the Appalachians.

Conservation status: Rapidly vanishing or declining in much of its range. A species of concern for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. All populations should be conserved.

Tiger Swallowtail

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​Host plants: Willow, cottonwood, chokecherry

Preferred nectar sources: Blue Cardinal Flower, Bloodflower, Garlic Chives, Butterfly Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Daisy Fleabane, Dames Rocket, Dogbane

Native area: ​Eastern North America from Ontario south to Gulf coast, west to Colorado plains and central Texas.

Viceroy ​

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​Host plants: Willow, poplar, apple, cottonwood

Preferred nectar sources: Aster, goldenrod, joe-pye weed, shepherd's needle.

Native range: ​Northwest Territories south along the eastern edges of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountains to central Mexico, east through all the eastern United States.

Conservation status: The Obsolete Viceroy has lost much of its habitat due to development and the exotic aggressive salt cedar. Restore riparian habitats in the Southwest (Moths and Butterflies of North America)

Zebra Swallowtail

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Host plants: Paw paw trees

Preferred nectar sources:  Blueberry, blackberry, lilac, redbud, verbena, dogbane, and common milkweed.

Native range: Central and South Eastern parts of the United States ​

​Red Admiral

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Host plants: Nettle family including: stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), tall wild nettle (U. gracilis), wood nettle (Laportea canadensis), false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), pellitory (Parietoria pennsylvanica), mamaki (Pipturus albidus), and possibly hops (Humulus).

Nectar sources: Dogbane, Lantana, Marigold, Mist Flower, Privet

Native range: ​​Guatemala north through Mexico and the United States to northern Canada; Hawaii, some Caribbean Islands, New Zealand, Europe, Northern Africa, Asia.
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10 Earth Day Activites for Kids

3/20/2020

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We have compiled our favorite monarch activities to do with kids this Earth Day! These activities can easily be paired with free online lesson plans to give kids an educational experience that they won't forget!

Try our Pollinator Pouches for a variety of wildflowers and milkweed! These seed pouches contain 17 different nectar-rich wildflowers and 4 types of milkweed for a complete nectar and host plant source for butterflies! 

Here are a list of Amazing Monarch Facts that will fascinate kids of all ages! 

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Milkweed Seed Balls

Submitted by Jennifer Dawson
Milkweed seed bombs are fun and easy to make and a great way to create Monarch habitat. Seed bombs are also the perfect winter project to get kids interested in gardening and the environment!

In the same vein as making seed bombs, one could also make a seed bomb out of native pollen-rich plants, so that not only can children save the monarchs, bees, and other pollinators, they can get physical while doing so. After all, many children, especially those who are neurodivergent, tend to learn better through touch. Parents of children on the autism spectrum know this fact intimately, which is why milkweed gardening may provide an additional benefit. 

Milkweed seeds can be purchased from Save Our Monarchs here. If you are a school, 4-H club, scout troop or homeschool provider click here for your FREE seeds. 
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Clay Butterflies

Here is a great tutorial by 'that artist woman' on making clay butterflies! 
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Start Milkweed from Seed

Growing milkweed from seed is a fun activity for all ages and can be taught alongside Rearing Monarchs in the Classroom or a Starting a School Pollinator Garden. 
*Note: It is best to cold stratify milkweed seeds for 30-60 days in order to increase germination rates. Plan your lessons accordingly.  

Milkweed seeds available for purchase here.

If you are a school, 4-H club, scout troop or homeschool provider click here for your FREE seeds. 
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Rear Monarchs 

In the wild, Monarch eggs and larvae have a very small chance of survival. Several studies have documented mortality rates of over 90% during the egg and larva stages. That means only 10% of eggs and caterpillars will reach adulthood!

There are many free online printables on the life cycle of butterflies. This is a great printable for a butterfly journal.  We recommend teaching a lesson on Monarch life cycles in conjunction with rearing Monarchs.  This is a great how-to on rearing monarchs in the classroom or at home. 
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Monarch Mask

Creating and painting Monarch Masks are another fun activity to make with kids while learning about the wonderful world of monarchs! 
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Butterfly Stick Puppet

Perfect for home, school, and butterfly-themed community programs, this color and cut butterfly stick puppet is an easy, inexpensive, and engaging craft for kids of all ages.

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Butterfly Squish Painting

The Butterfly Squish Painting is a very simple, easy art project that can be fun for all ages but especially K-3rd grades. 
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You can also pair art projects like this with activities such as:
​- Rearing monarchs in the classroom
- Starting a butterfly garden
- Fundraising
- Monarch tag and release program
- Bio-blitzes
- Scavenger Hunts
​
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Start a Fundraiser

Save Our Monarchs wants to partner with your school! 

We are currently working with school districts across the country that want to educate their students about the plight of the monarch, and spread the word throughout their community through various fundraising efforts and outreach.

Click here to read more about our two fundraising options. 

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Plant a Butterfly Garden

You don't need a lot of space to start a pollinator garden! A few containers or raised beds can provide a habitat for hungry butterflies and bees. Outdoor classrooms can encourage observation, exploration and  instill land stewardship values. Teachers can also build a curriculum around the garden, focusing on subjects such as: biology, environmental studies, writing, and art.

Our goal is to reach 20K schools garden in 2020 and this includes homeschool gardens!
​
More information on starting a school pollinator garden. 
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Symbolic Monarch Migration

Every year Journey North sends a flock of Monarch symbolic butterflies in the mail to schools in Mexico and they return in the Spring. 

"Join students across the globe to create symbolic monarch butterflies to send to Mexico. Children who live beside the monarchs’ winter sanctuaries in Mexico will protect the paper butterflies and return them in the spring. Through the Symbolic Migration, children are united by the monarch butterfly and celebrate its spectacular migration. They learn authentic lessons of conservation and international cooperation."

​Metamorphosis Dramatization

Submitted by Jennifer Dawson
​This last method needs no actual plants or animals – only enthusiastic children. A monarch caterpillar’s metamorphosis is one of the most dramatic events in the animal world, so why not dramatize it? Children can be induced to put on a play wherein a monarch caterpillar transitions into a monarch butterfly. This can be done with a class of students or at home with parents playing some of the roles. A personalized approach to monarch awareness can be more effective than one that is theoretical.
Monarch butterflies are iconic creatures that many children will feel privileged to learn about. However, they are currently experiencing a population crisis. With the knowledge gained from guest speakers, milkweed planting, and metamorphosis dramatizations, such children can join the fight to save the monarchs.
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​

Get creative and think up your own activity! Please send any Monarch activity ideas to becki@saveourmonarchs.org and we will keep adding to the list. Thank you for reading!

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7 Ways to Support Monarchs From Your Own Backyard

3/18/2020

2 Comments

 

Although many of us are spending more time at home due to the health crisis, ​there are still many ways you can support the monarchs without leaving your backyard. Now is the perfect time to start brainstorming your beautiful butterfly garden, planting milkweed and collecting data to help with citizen science projects!

During these trying times it is more important than ever to engage in activities that bring joy and hope to others. The monarchs are heading north now and we hope that everyone will greet them with milkweed to lay their eggs and wildflowers to fuel their flight! We thank you all for your efforts!

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1. Plant Pollinator Habitat Wherever You Can

By starting a butterfly garden, you are providing necessary sustenance for Monarchs along their long migration route and providing them with breeding grounds so that successive generations of Monarchs are able to complete their migration route to Mexico. The need for host plants and nectar plants applies to all Monarchs as well as other butterfly populations.
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2. Teach Children About Monarch Conservation

There are a variety of fun activities to engage kids in monarch conservation and biology! Remember that you are educating the next generation of monarch conservationists!

One great way to engage children in Monarch conservation is to plant a garden at school or at home! Save Our Monarchs has provided seeds for over 6,000 school gardens and our goal is to install 20,000 gardens in 2020! Help us to reach our goal by getting your free seeds today!
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3. Rear Monarchs from Home

In the wild, Monarch eggs and larvae have a very small chance of survival. Several studies have documented mortality rates of over 90% during the egg and larva stages.
That means only 10% of eggs and caterpillars will reach adulthood! 

Not only is this a fun activity for the whole family but you are helping out an entire species!
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4. Start Your Milkweed Indoors

Starting seeds at home is a cost-efficient and fun way to get a head-start on the gardening  season! With a little bit of planning, it will also ensure that you have milkweed plants growing outside when the monarchs migrate through your region. Starting your seeds in a controlled environment allows you to make adjustments to soil, temperature, and moisture for best germination results.

You can also refer to our  blog post on How to start Milkweed seeds indoors to get started!​ It's not too late to buy seeds!
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5. Participate in a Citizen Science Projects

Becoming a citizen scientist is fun and allows you to virtually connect with other nature enthusiasts, naturalists and conservationists. Citizen scientists from around the country log data and observations which is vital to understanding the monarch migration, biological cycles and why they are disappearing. 

6. Support Organizations Working to Sustain Monarchs

Make a donation to your favorite monarch or pollinator conservation program. Many programs are donation-based and are fighting to save our monarchs. 

7. Conduct Your Own Research​

There are many resources out there about monarch conservation and butterfly gardening. Doing your own research will stir up questions and allow you to educate other on ways to help our pollinators. Your local library is a great place to start your research!


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2 Comments

How to Cold Stratify and Grow Milkweed Seeds

3/8/2020

72 Comments

 

Starting milkweed seeds indoors is a great way to ensure you will have milkweed plants ready for them when they arrive.

Cold stratification is just a fancy way of saying cold exposure and is known to increase germination rates by waking the seeds up from their dormancy cycle. 

Most Milkweed varieties need 30 days of cold exposure to break their dormancy cycle and this can easily be done in your own home. In nature, this keeps Milkweed plants from germinating at times when conditions are not favorable for growth. 
 

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Asclepias incarnata stratifying in a cold/moist chamber at the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Photo by Rebecca Chandler.

Materials Needed

  • 1 Quart Ziploc  Bag
  • Milkweed Seeds
  • Paper Towels
  • Sharpie Pen
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Step 1: Wet a paper towel and lay on a flat surface. 

Wet a paper towel and gently wring it out so it is damp but not dripping with water. Too much water may cause the seeds to mold inside the bag. 

Step 2: Sprinkle 10-20 milkweed seeds on the paper towel. 

I may be best to sprinkle the seeds onto half of the paper towel so when you fold it, the seeds will not overlap.
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Step 3: Fold the paper towel into quarters. 

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​Step 4: Place the paper towel into the bag, seal, and label. 

​Label the bag with the date and type of seed. I like to include both the common and scientific name but this is up to you. You may even want to set a reminder on your phone or calendar so you can remember to take them out in 30 days.
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Step 5: Place in the refrigerator for 30-60 days. 

​Store the mixture in the refrigerator (33–38°F) for the recommended time on your seed packet. For Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) Prairie Moon Nursery recommends 30 days of cold stratification. 

Make sure to put your seeds somewhere safe in the fridge where they will not be disturbed. I like to put the bag into a tupperware container to ensure they don't get smashed or damaged. Check on the seeds after a few weeks and if you notice the seeds starting to sprout in the bag, plant immediately!
​​Recommended Cold Stratification Periods According to Milkweed Species

Common Milkweed              (Asclepias syriaca)         30 days
Swamp Milkweed                  (Asclepias incarnata)    30 days
Whorled Milkweed              (Asclepias verticillata)  30 days
Prairie Milkweed                   (Asclepias sullivantii)    30 days
Western Sand Milkweed  (Asclepias arenaria)       60 days
Butterfly Milkweed             (Asclepias tuberosa)       30 days
Showy Milkweed                   (Asclepias speciosa)       30 days

*Note that warm weather species such as Tropical Milkweed do not need a cold stratification period. 

How to Plant Milkweed Seeds Indoors

Step 1: Place seeds in trays

​After 30-60 days, it’s time to plant your Milkweed seeds. You can plant them in seed trays, peat pots, small pots or any other container that allows for water drainage. Dampen your soil with a spray bottle full of water and place 1-2 seeds into each 2" container. Sow seeds lightly on the top of the soil. You may press in gently but they need light to germinate so please don’t bury them!

Step 2: Water seeds gently

Be gentle when watering new seedlings because they are very delicate. It is recommended to water from the bottom up by adding a half-inch of water to the bottom of a tray and placing the pots inside this tray. Some people prefer to use a spray mister to water their seedlings. 

You can check the soil moisture simply by touching it to see if it feels damp. Take care not to overwater your seeds which can lead to fungus growth. It is helpful to have a fan nearby to provide airflow and ventilation. 

Step 4: Your seeds need light!

Make sure your milkweed has enough light to grow whether that be under an artificial grow light or near a sunny window. If your seedlings start to become "leggy" expose them to more light.  The sturdier the seedling, the better!

Step 5: Plant outdoors

Milkweed seeds can be sown outdoors after the danger of frost has passed and the seedlings have grown around 1-5 inches high. To make the transition from indoors to outdoors less stressful, start by putting the seedlings outdoors for a few hours a day for up to a week before planting them outdoors. ​

Resources

The American Meadows Blog: How to Germinate and Grow Milkweed Seed.
https://www.americanmeadows.com/blog/2015/06/11/how-to-germinate-and-grow-milkweed-seed/

Prairie Moon Nursery: How to Germinate Native Seeds.
https://www.prairiemoon.com/blog/how-to-germinate-native-seeds
​
Henrikson, Bob. Gardening with Prairie Plants. Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. 
https://plantnebraska.org/plants/bloom-box/resources-for-bloom-box-gardeners.html
72 Comments

5 Steps to Planting Milkweed Seeds Indoors

3/7/2020

37 Comments

 
The Monarchs are already starting to migrate North, will you be ready for them? Unsure when the Monarchs will be coming through your area or state? Check Journey North's Migrations Map to find out!

I started cold stratifying my Butterfly Milkweed seeds at the beginning of March. 30 days have passed and they are ready to be planted!

It is worth noting that cold stratifying your seeds increases germination rates but is not absolutely necessary. The most important thing is that you get them planted. Most milkweed is a perennial in the lower 48 states so even if you are getting off to a late start, have no fear, they will come back next year and feed the next generations! 

Step 1: Gather your materials

You will need:
A clean seed tray (a baking pan works well too)
Seed cells
Sterilized seed starting mix
Milkweed  seeds
Water
​
It is best to use a designated seed starting mix because it is lighter and less dense than regular potting soil, which allows the roots to establish more easily. Milkweed is slender and doesn't need much room to grow so go ahead and plant many seeds!

Step 2: Add soil 

I like to pour a heaping amount of soil mix onto the center of my seed insert and then spread it evenly with the edge of my seed packet or anything with a straight edge. I then gently tap the bottom of the seed tray on a flat surface to let the soil mix settle just a bit.
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Step 3: Make holes 

I like to use the eraser-end of a pencil to get ¼ in holes in my soil. It’s a convenient and consistent way to get uniform sized holes. I have also sprinkled the seeds on top of the soil and then sprinkled a layer of soil over them with success. 
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Step 4: Plant your seeds

Place 1-3 Milkweed seeds in each hole. Placing multiple seeds in each hole will increase your chances of getting a seedling in each cell. Then, gently push the soil mix back over your seeds. ​
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Step 5: Water

Watering from the bottom up is the recommended method because it won’t disturb the seedlings and will also prevent over-watering. Simply pour about ½ inch of water into the tray then place the seed inserts on top. I like to use a water mister to also spray the top layer of my seed tray and then cover with a plastic lid or plastic wrap to keep the seeds moist. Remove the lid after a few days so that the seeds get air-flow and mold does not develop. 
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Lastly...

For 3-5 days, your seeds won't need light but a seed heating mat will help them to germinate. Once they sprout, immediately put them in a sunny window or under a grow light. If you wait too long they may get "leggy" from lack of sunlight or become moldy. 

If they start to look leggy, you know that they need more light. You can plant your Milkweed outside after the danger of frost has passed. Check here to find out w
hen the last frost date is for your region.

Plant the Milkweed and the Monarchs will come!
37 Comments

10 Must-Read Books for Monarch Enthusiasts

2/19/2020

1 Comment

 

Looking for ways to pass the time until Spring is here? This list of must-reads will help you to better understand Monarch behavior and habitat!
​From novels to field guides to gardening manuals to educational guides, there is something for everyone!

10. Milkweed Monarchs and More: A Field Guide to the Invertebrate Community in the Milkweed Patch
Ba Rea, Dr. Karen Oberhauser, and Michael A. Quinn 

Milkweed, Monarchs and More, was created to be a field guide and provide basic background information for volunteers in the citizen science Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, as well as monarch enthusiasts and classrooms involved in monarch studies. It covers the diverse natural community thrives in the milkweed growing along our highways and woodland edges; in our open fields, fragmented prairies and vacant lots; and in our lovingly tended gardens. The Enlarged and Updated Edition is in response to requests for a larger format-­­­­more classroom friendly for student reports and easier on older eyes.
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9. Flight Behavior
​Barbara Kingsolver

Okay, so this is not a book entirely about Monarch butterflies and it is certainly not a how-to book. However, much of the plot-line centers around the mysterious appearance of Monarch butterflies in rural town in Tennessee. Flight Behavior follows a young wife and mother on a failing farm who experiences something she cannot explain, and how her discovery energizes various competing factions—religious leaders, climate scientists, environmentalists, politicians—trapping her in the center of the conflict and ultimately opening up her world.
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8. Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America
Jim P. Brock and Kenn Kaufman

​Every gardener should have a great butterfly field guide in their library! There are several great butterfly field guides out there including :National Audubon Field Guide to Insects & Spiders, Golden Guide to Butterflies & Moths and Peterson First Guide to Butterflies & Moths. Any of these will work but I recommend Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America because it is well-written, easy to use and has a great range of illustrations. It also includes a shadowed silhouette of each butterfly to show the size. The guide breaks down how to identify butterflies correctly by size, shape, posture, flight style, and behavior. 
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7. How to Raise Monarch Butterflies: A Step-by-Step Guide for Kids (How It Works)
Carol Pasternak 

This is a great how-to on raising Monarch butterflies for adults and children alike! How to Raise Monarch Butterflies explains what threats Monarchs face today and how readers can help conserve the Monarch's feeding grounds from encroachment. It also includes vivid photos, secrets to finding monarch eggs and information on propagating milkweed. 
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6. Attracting Native Pollinators: The Xerces Society Guide, Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies
The Xerxes Society

 In Attracting Native Pollinators, you’ll find ideas for building nesting structures and creating a welcoming habitat for an array of diverse pollinators that includes not only bees, but butterflies, moths, and more. Take action and protect North America’s food supply for the future, while at the same time enjoying a happily bustling landscape.
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5. The Monarch: Saving Our Most-Loved Butterfly
Kylee Baumle

The Monarch showcases this Monarch butterfly with eye-popping photos, fun facts about a monarch’s life cycle, and things to know about the vital role that pollinators play in our ecosystem. Monarch enthusiast and nature blogger Kylee Baumle provides “action” projects for all ages, from planting milkweed and wildflowers to making butterfly watering stations and to volunteer activism.
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4. Monarchs and Milkweed: A Migrating Butterfly, a Poisonous Plant, and Their Remarkable Story of Coevolution 
Anurag Agrawal

This is a must-read for Monarch enthusiasts! In Monarchs and Milkweed, Anurag Agrawal presents a vivid investigation into how the monarch butterfly has evolved closely alongside the milkweed and how this inextricable and intimate relationship has been like an arms race over the millennia, a battle of exploitation and defense between two fascinating species. It is scientifically rich without sacrificing it's readability. Author, Anurag Agrawal, is a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Department of Entomology at Cornell University.
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3. Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard
Douglas W. Tallamy

Douglas W. Tallamy’s first book, Bringing Nature Home, awakened thousands of readers to an urgent situation: wildlife populations are in decline because the native plants they depend on are fast disappearing.  In this new book, Tallamy takes the next step and outlines his vision for a grassroots approach to conservation. Nature’s Best Hope shows how homeowners everywhere can turn their yards into conservation corridors that provide wildlife habitats. Even more important, it’s practical, effective, and easy—you will walk away with specific suggestions you can incorporate into your own yard.
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2. A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future
Benjamin Vogt 

This is a small, yet mighty, book that is a call-to-action for gardeners to start looking at our gardens with a new perspective. In A New Garden Ethic, Vogt prompts us to ask why urban gardens are so important right now and what we can do to help species on the verge of extinction. 
"Our landscapes push aside wildlife and in turn diminish our genetically-programmed love for wildness. How can we get ourselves back into balance through gardens, to speak life's language and learn from other species?"
Get a first edition, signed copy here!
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1. Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants
​Douglas W. Tallamy

​Bringing Nature Home is a absolute must-read for the passionate gardener. Douglas W. Tallamy reveals the unbreakable link between native plant species and native wildlife—native insects cannot, or will not, eat alien plants. When native plants disappear, the insects disappear, impoverishing the food source for birds and other animals.
​But there is an important and simple step we can all take to help reverse this alarming trend: everyone with access to a patch of earth can make a significant contribution toward sustaining biodiversity by simply choosing native plants. By acting on Douglas Tallamy's practical and achievable recommendations, we can all make a difference.
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    Garden Educator, Naturalist and Ethnobotanist

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NOTE: You can also receive FREE SEEDS by sending us a self-addressed stamped envelope to: 
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