Transform Your Yard into a Monarch Butterfly Haven: Get Free Milkweed Seeds Today!

The future of the monarch butterfly doesn’t look bright. Their population has been steadily dropping, with a decline of up to 90% over the years due to human activities. Last winter, the count of overwintering monarchs hit a near-record low, according to the Xerces Society. In 2020, the lowest count recorded showed fewer than 2,000 butterflies.

But there’s good news. You can help by planting milkweed, the only food for monarch caterpillars. To support this, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund is teaming up with the L.A. Parks Foundation for a milkweed giveaway in the San Fernando Valley.

About the Giveaway

Both organizations have a solid track record in plant care. The L.A. Parks Foundation operates a milkweed nursery in Griffith Park, while the Santa Monica Mountains Fund ramped up their efforts after the Woolsey Fire altered local habitats.

Deanna Armbruster, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund, shared their goal: to distribute 10,000 milkweed plants by the end of October. They’ve already given away about 6,000, so there’s still plenty available for folks eager to help.

These giveaways occur across San Fernando Valley, targeting areas with limited green spaces. Crystal Tsoi, deputy director of the L.A. Parks Foundation, noted that access to milkweed is more challenging in these areas, making this initiative crucial.

One key point: the milkweed you receive will be native to Southern California, providing the best support for visiting butterflies. Non-native plants can disrupt their migration patterns, so it’s vital to choose wisely if you purchase from a store.

What to Expect After Planting

The milkweed plants won’t be fully mature right away. Since they were planted this spring, they’ll need about a year to grow into a suitable food source. In the meantime, it’s advisable to cover them for protection and to encourage growth. Planting multiple milkweed plants close together helps caterpillars thrive, as they can quickly strip the leaves of a single plant.

Be sure to plant them before winter to let them acclimate to their new home.

Don’t have a yard? No problem! You can grow milkweed in containers. Just remember to water them more frequently, as they can dry out quickly.

Winter Care and Monitoring

If you’re new to growing milkweed, it’s normal for the plants to look a bit wilted during winter; this is their natural hibernation period. The following spring, expect butterflies to start visiting your garden within a couple of weeks after uncovering the plants.

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund offers plenty of tips and tricks to help you grow healthy milkweed.

Supporting Local Initiatives

This giveaway is backed by a grant from L.A. County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath. The Santa Monica Mountains Fund is seeking additional funds to continue these efforts into the spring.

To help, you can donate or volunteer. The L.A. Parks Foundation also provides ways to contribute on their website.

By participating in local initiatives like these, you can play a part in conserving the monarchs and helping them thrive for future generations.

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Monarch Butterfly, milkweed, Xerxes Society, Santa Monica Mountains Fund