{"id":1082,"date":"2014-04-07T20:23:52","date_gmt":"2014-04-07T20:23:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/?p=1082"},"modified":"2014-05-05T20:05:06","modified_gmt":"2014-05-05T20:05:06","slug":"milkweeds-for-monarchs-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/?p=1082","title":{"rendered":"Milkweeds for Monarchs \u2013 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Barb Elliot<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe lowest numbers of Monarchs ever recorded\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMonarch migration at risk of disappearing\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is the devastating news about Monarchs over-wintering in Mexico. These Monarchs migrated last fall from eastern portions of the U.S. and Canada to reach their historic Mexican wintering grounds. Each year scientists count the number of acres of trees where the Monarchs cluster during their winter stay in Mexico. This winter Monarchs covered just 1.7 acres — a significant decline from the previous low of 2.9 acres.<\/p>\n

\"Male<\/a>

Male Monarch in Barb’s yard. Photo \u00a9 Barb Elliot<\/p><\/div>\n

Loss of milkweed is the primary reason for the steep decline in Monarch numbers. Milkweeds are the only plant Monarch caterpillars can eat. Millions of acres of milkweed habitat have disappeared in the mid-west due to the use of genetically modified (GMO) corn and soy crops. Farmers spray their fields with Roundup, and the crops survive. However, this herbicide kills the other plants like milkweed that previously grew in and around crops. Since these Roundup Ready crops came into use over the last 15 years, almost 80% of milkweeds in the mid-west have disappeared. Monarch population decreases have correlated in lock step with the loss of milkweed. \u00a0Milkweed habitat\u00a0is also lost due to development and mowing of roadsides. Extreme weather over the past few years in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada has also contributed to Monarch losses. Cold snaps, heat waves, droughts and heavy rains have also taken a toll on the Monarchs and milkweeds.<\/p>\n

\"Monarch<\/a>

Monarch laying egg on Butterfly Milkweed. Photo @ Barb Elliot.<\/p><\/div>\n

As a result, last summer we Monarch-lovers saw few, if any, Monarchs. With these steep declines, we\u2019ll surely see even fewer this summer. However, Monarch experts say that the Monarch population can bounce back \u2013 probably not to the high levels of the 1990s, but to a lower \u201cnew normal\u201d. To improve their numbers, Monarchs need MORE milkweed.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where we come in. We Monarch-lovers must plant more milkweeds this year. The Monarchs, fewer in numbers now, will need quantities of milkweeds to find the plants easily and lay their eggs.\u00a0Also, milkweeds are very important plants in the web of life and provide high quality nectar for a variety of other important pollinators.<\/p>\n

\"Monarch<\/a>

Monarch caterpillar on Barb’s Swamp Milkweed. Photo \u00a9 Barb Elliot.<\/p><\/div>\n

Let\u2019s keep the welcome mat out for Monarchs! To that end, we are selling Butterfly Milkweed and Swamp Milkweed this year for only $2 a plant. Plant some milkweeds to help the Monarchs. If you already have some, plant even more! Plant them in containers, too. Talk to family, friends, and neighbors about the need. Get permission to plant them at a community park, church, business, roadway, or open space, too.<\/p>\n

Now is the time for YOU<\/strong> to help the beautiful Monarchs survive for generations to come.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Milkweed Sale Information<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n

Cost:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 <\/b>$2 per plant.\u00a0 Cash only. \u00a0Money collected above our actual costs will be donated to Monarch Joint Venture<\/a>,\u00a0a partnership of organizations working to conserve the monarch migration.<\/p>\n

Plants Description:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> Plants are landscape plugs with well-developed (about 5\u201d) root systems.\u00a0 When in bloom, they look like this:<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0Butterfly Milkweed \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Swamp Milkweed \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>(Asclepias tuberosa) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 (Asclepias incarnata)\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Butterfly<\/a>

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Swamp<\/a>

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) Photo \u00a9 Barb Elliot.<\/p><\/div>\n

A<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span><\/p>\n

Minimum Order:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong> 5 plants of one species only.\u00a0 That is, 5 Butterfly Milkweed or 5 Swamp Milkweed. Not 3 of one species and 2 of the other.<\/p>\n

Number of Plants:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 Plants will be sold in multiples of 5 per species only, e.g. 10, 15, 30<\/p>\n

Maximum Order:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 None. \u00a0However, supplies depend on availability from our wholesaler.\u00a0 Plants will be reserved based on the order in which orders are received.<\/p>\n

Order Deadline:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> Orders must be received no later than April 30, 2014.<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Pickup Date & Time:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span> Saturday, May 31st<\/sup>, 2014 – 10 AM to 3 PM. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Sorry, no alternate pickup times can be arranged.<\/p>\n

Pickup Location:<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0Roberts Elementary School, 889 Croton Rd, Wayne, PA 19087 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 For Directions, click here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

General Planting Recommendations:<\/strong><\/span>
\n1. Plant in clusters, preferably at least 5 plants per cluster to attract passing Monarchs.
\n2. Plant 12\u201d apart.
\n3. For more detailed planting instructions and other ways to help Monarchs, click title: \u00a0Planting and Caring for Your Milkweeds<\/a>.*\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If you have any problems ordering or questions, send an email to info@backyardsfornature.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Order Confirmation:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span> You will receive a confirmation email within 7 days from info@backyardsfornature.org<\/a>.\u00a0 Please set your email filter to accept email from this address.\u00a0 If you do not get a confirmation email within 7 days<\/b>, send an email to:\u00a0 info@backyardsfornature.org<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Barb Elliot   \u201cThe lowest numbers of Monarchs ever recorded\u201d\u00a0 \u201cMonarch migration at risk of disappearing\u201d This is the devastating news about Monarchs over-wintering in Mexico. These Monarchs migrated last fall from eastern portions of the U.S. and Canada … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[27,15,10,59,60,20,18,57,5,58,23],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1082"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1082"}],"version-history":[{"count":61,"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1082\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1196,"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1082\/revisions\/1196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backyardsfornature.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}