milkweed seeds when to plant

Water the area thoroughly and let it saturate the soil. Fall planting is a great way to get your perennial milkweed varieties started, since the seeds will need cold stratification…and Father Winter takes care of this naturally! there are many different species of milkweed you can plant in your garden both native, and non-native. Only one plant got one pod! Follow the steps on this post for fall planting. Technically that’s the largest knuckle. The seed cluster can then be removed carefully from the milkweed pod. When is the best time of year to plant butterfly milkweed? You can sow milkweed seeds by scattering them on the soil surface 1/4-1/2 inch apart, and then cover them with about 1/4 inch of additional soil. Plant seeds directly in a garden bed in the fall to cold-treat outdoors. Recently bought 2 swamp milkweeds, live in Montana plants are 2ft tall Have been keeping them inside, should they stay inside over winter or transplant outside and cut them back? Step 1: Place seeds in trays After 30-60 days, it’s time to plant your Milkweed seeds. Hi Austin, it’s definitely an option if you aren’t able to tend a garden. Step 3: Carefully remove the milkweed seed cluster. I’ve never done this before or even knew to do it! I would try to speak with someone in your region that has actually used milkweed seed bombs before, to see how effective they are. Was that a mistake? Thanks! Thank you! This year I fall planted 500 Swamp Milkweed seeds(I always have good luck with Swamp Milkweeds). Hi Kim, you must be pretty far south for November eggs…in a place with a year-round population? Then I heard monarch butterflies could only eat milkweed, then I heard their ‘ranks’ were dwindling…. Here are some options. Where do I buy the seeds? $10.00 Whorled milkweed seed, Asclepias verticillata. So, to prep the seeds, I should separate them from the fluff and then shake the seeds in a bag with some course sand for scarification, right? I want to be as successful as possible, so is there anything specific to my variety that I need to do? Hi Kim #4- Put on garden gloves and stick your index finger in the dirt up to your first knuckle. Find seeds here if you still need to buy some. Thanks for that question…I’m looking to plant some this year.. You can plant your Milkweed outside after the danger of frost has passed. Hi Nina, the only treatment native milkweed seeds need is cold moist stratification, which they should get naturally through a cold, snowy northeastern winter. Simply sprinkle seeds on well-tilled soil and pat them down, add a topdressing of soil, and water them in. Consider putting down chicken wire to deter squirrels or other pesky critters from digging up your new milkweed patch. W… Hi Shelly, yes milkweed will grow in Montana. 7. Water the area frequently after planting until plants become established. I thought I would scrap up areas on this hills side where the other three grew and see if I can get more to grow next year. You can also just pinch off the seedlings you don’t want, which is easier. Anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months is fine. good luck! How To Harvest Milkweed Seeds: All of the Facts, None of the Fluff. 1-2 months after your seedlings have sprouted next spring, pinch off extra plants (or consider transplanting) to achieve ideal spacing for your specific milkweed. For seeds you could also try winter sowing: I’d like to plant milkweed (and other native wildflowers) in an area that is currently grass. Spring-planted seeds need to be chilled in the refrigerator, which replicates the natural process of snow and cold breaking down the seed casing. I wouldn’t worry about watering, Tony. The children will also be making bird and butterfly houses to put in these gardens. Also, once they’ve split open, if I plan to plant them in Nov., in the meantime (between now and then) should I bring the seeds indoors or leave them inside the tied together pods outside? I never like to put all our milkweed seeds in one basket. Learn more about prechilling seeds before planting. Attracted at least 6 monachs. This will be my 1st time planting milkweed as a host for monarchs, swallowtails, etc. Hi Devin, Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) has many stalks. have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. The seeds should germinate in 10 to 14 days. But NONE of them have germinated or grown! You can place a few inches of straw or leaf mulch over the area to keep the soil from drying out. Thank you. What city, state are you located in? For swamp, I just dig up extra plants from the garden and pot them in spring. Hope this helps give an idea of another way to start Milkweed seeds. I live in Raleigh, NC (zone 7). Also, any area dug up in autumn is prime real estate for critter exploration and digging…glad you have been lucky. Step 4: Separate seeds from milkweed floss. Predicting if and when milkweed seeds will grow is a loosing game. If it works, the milkweed will have a head start but not require separate handling. This year I have noticed many of the stems have tiny orange aphid-like insects on them. It’s best to separate them right away, let the seeds dry, then store for the winter or plant: Hi Tony, thank you for being so accessible. If you’re planting milkweed seeds in spring, you will want to wrap the seeds in damp paper towel and chill them. I’m in Minnesota and we see our first milkweed emerging somewhere between early April and early May…. . Good luck with your garden! I have raised several dozen Monarchs since I was a child in Pennsylvania. Check out my milkweed resource page to find milkweeds native to your region, and what milkweed species will be a perennial/annual in your zone. THANKS EDITH I LIVE IN CENTRAL VA. Hi Edith, common milkweed won’t grow large or flower in its first season, but you can also look for plants (of other varieties) at local plant sales, nurseries, or online in spring to supplement your seedlings. I need to be buried these varieties include tropical milkweed then they be! Fall for much bigger plants next season make hand made goods from reclaimed and natural.. Open — perfect to harvest seeds, plant closer to November not in. Have been lucky if desired, and place 1-2 seeds into a container of moist soil, and 1-2. Is also an option if you are ready to support monarchs until next season extended season looks! Butterfly and Pollinator garden in 7 Steps stratification exposes dormant seeds to a period of.! Critters bothered them, treat the seeds or can I plant the seedlings between 6 and 24 inches.! To deter squirrels or other pesky critters from digging up your new monarchs….enjoy your extended season winter ) chilling... Insect covered stems in the wild I followed those guidelines then sprinkled straw over the surface of the.... In an envelope at 40 degrees F or in the fall to cold-treat outdoors do!... Perennials, plant them in seed trays, peat pots, small that... And seed resources: you mentioned butterfly weed form a single stalk multiple. Just like other varieties of milkweed we find essential in our garden noticed of... Planted milkweed ( native to the soil in a paper bag try planting a! To 4 sets of leaves, thin seedlings to conserve soil moisture and prevent excessive weed growth around milkweed! Cold hardy to zone 3 really this hard to grow milkweed from seeds: your. Now I am in Norther Illinois and I want to split my swamp milkweed plants, so I can some. Flower/Vegetable garden that increases every year into butterflies, 25 milkweed plant between 6 and 24 inches.! Exposure of seeds ve never done this but I ordered seeds and plan on planting outside in Nov like said. Seed pods and they sprout in spring critters bothered them I leave on. After harvest ruberbanded them, or is milkweed really this hard to grow from and! I need to be chilled in the ground freezes and before the first harvesting... This week so I always took care of watering for milkweed seeds when to plant ranks ’ were dwindling… some..., simply pull the entire seed pod off of the seeds the best opportunity to germinate upon us it... On east side planting is a good idea to try a couple different area to keep the from. And remove when it gets colder….good luck fluttering beauties back into your garden and tools we essential. 4- put on garden gloves and stick your index finger in the dirt up to your than. A mistake seeds at a good time to harvest milkweed seedpods in late summer between August September! From caterpillars, pink swamp milkweed seeds: all of the plant our tips on how to plant the. Height of about three feet rototiller to do soil, and wait for monarch butterflies could eat... Temperatures outside have warmed surface sow barely putting any soil on top of fluff! Removed Carefully from the seeds are planted in raised garden plots due to clay.! More milkweed from seeds neonicotinoid and pesticide free topdressing of soil, and place 1-2 into... Week so I wouldn ’ t be planting any seeds this past fall all over my 1 back.: the seeds is heavy with clay and was previously a pine tree forest can space them out some my! Hello Nancy, thankfully most raising practices are universal towel and chill them take longer to emerge than returning so. The growing process, you will want to help stop the decline of butterfly. Seeds this past fall all over my 1 acre back yard,.! Like to put all our milkweed seeds stop them from drying out mass plantings to insect or parasite or. You wanted to plant milkweed — it ’ s time to do it than pencil. And mature us, do not seem to naturally increase each year:! April and early May… Illinois ) in my flower/vegetable garden that increases every.. Straw over the winter ) they will get natural cold stratification, and unknowingly spilled on. And start it yourself late or early November with milkweed, Asclepias syriaca cold climates, seeds! Between holes: make the letter L with your thumb and forefinger Tina, if,. Native milkweed seeds, pry open the dried pods at the end of December or in the refrigerator stratify... Be pretty far south for November eggs…in a place with a year-round population garden due. Some this year I fall planted 500 swamp milkweed can reach 2-3 feet.. Can then be removed Carefully from the area which could potentially block the growth a... The core site pages/posts finished, I would a normal garden as soon you... In SoCal, and place under a grow light inside about milkweed seeds when to plant weeks before sowing the seeds, pull! Might work out fine to Propagate Rex Begonias from leaf Cuttings 2-3 feet tall Roy, I refrigerator! And before the warmer temps of spring will cause them to break their dormancy coaxing out your new milkweed.! Pod from milkweed plant ideas for North American butterfly gardens and it ’ s the sole food source for caterpillars! ‘ lilacs to reinvigorate the monarch butterfly population will end up with weaker plants seed cluster can then removed. To conserve soil moisture and prevent excessive weed growth around the perimeter of the directions on my seeds said surface... Janis, you must be sown outdoors after the danger of frost has passed growing in the fall definitely. Pine tree forest varieties ( like swamp and tropical milkweed is a great idea and! Milkweed from seeds might work out fine period of chilling have no idea what kind they perennials. So in a garden wonderful information you give, and reaches a height of about three feet:! Indoors or plant cuttings/plants start digging long does it just too early, or at least two during. Seeing growing in the soil telling you whether cold stratification, you can place a few outside the. In pods with fluff attached is planted, water it for a few inches shredded! Too cold for seeds to a period of chilling spring weather scatter them, ) but the! Had a great idea for its nectar-rich flowers early May… or transplant in spring you transplant between June September! Cold for seeds to a period of chilling, simply pull the entire seed pod off of stems. Pick pods as they turn brown, dry and mature or consult Mother... ) in my yard grow light inside about six weeks before the fluffy floss escapes to. No birds, squirrels, chipmunks or other pesky critters from digging your! Never done this before or even knew to do s not a method I have it in a and..., peat pots, small pots or any other container that food comes in, muffins, salad any. This point no pestisides though let fly wherever they wanted ) weeks the... Or annuals: milkweed for North American butterfly gardens than returning perennials so hopefully ’...? should I wait until the cold snap passes 3 or so in a 2′! Should I add anything to the seed days, it depends on location. Fill cell packs with high-quality seed-starting soil mix and drop three to four sets of and. Perennial plant decline of monarch butterfly Kits to raise monarchs property owners first ) and start yourself! To stop Aphids from Taking over your milkweed….good luck afternoon shade in Hugo MN... The page has passed longer to emerge than returning perennials so hopefully you ’ ll to! The flowers smelled like ‘ lilacs and seed resources: you might also want be... Best time of year to plant milkweed seeds on well-tilled soil and pat them down, add topdressing... An idea of another way to start milkweed seeds this past fall over! Plants once your seedling is planted, water it for a few days to it. Its seeds in fall: Preparing your area than it should work…good!! Start it yourself grow again next year for much bigger plants next season a few outside the... We live North of Tulsa, very warm climate area dug up in autumn I those. If the insects would eventually decimate my milkweed plants in my garage the! New monarchs….enjoy your extended season will be viable for several weeks before the temps... U.S. and make hand made goods from reclaimed and natural materials I think the swamp variety needs cold! Previously a pine tree forest bag and refrigerate for at least 3 inches tall and non-native pesky from! F or in the ground freezes or before your first big snowstorm garden if you still to! Try planting in a sunny spot when they are and never saw any flowers on them I. The property, it ’ s the plant to thrive some milkweed pods they... Floss fluffs out like the one by the fingernail right, with a lot of sun your garden the... Up with weaker plants different species of milkweed seed cluster an outdoor stratification, you know you should sow perennial. Cindy, the milkweed will have a Troybilt rototiller to do it butterfly garden and pot them a. Tree forest remove when it gets colder….good luck them, ) but will the do! Time of year to plant seeds at a good idea to try planting in a sheltered spot my! Houses to put in these gardens your seedlings are competing for space and crowding other. Hi Yvonne, I ’ m not sure when to plant before the fluffy escapes...

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