Image by Judy Beth Morris on Unsplash. Monarch butterfly taking in some nectar from a butterfly bush cluster and a blurred background.

Image by AJ Joy of a monarch caterpillar eating its way through a milkweed leaf.

🦋Only ONE monarch at Goleta’s Butterfly Grove today

Storm damage has been rough, but habitat restoration is happening there - preparing for new native trees and plants

🌿At your home, please plant a native plant if you can - it truly helps
#PollinatorGarden #GrowNativePlants #MonarchMilkweed

Monarch butterfly on narrow-leaf milkweed

🌱 Milkweed care cycle:

🌧️ Fall/Winter – Sow seeds, mulch, let rain work
🌸 Spring/Summer – Host caterpillars, aphids, ladybugs & life
🍂 Fall – Collect seeds, prune, prep

Each year, your patch grows stronger—fueling monarchs & native beauty🦋🌿
#PollinatorGarden #MonarchMilkweed #GrowNativePlants

Milkweed seeds bursting from pod, ready to take flight

🌿Starting native milkweed from seed?

Many need cold stratification first:
❄️ Mix seeds with damp sand/paper towel
📝 Label & seal in a bag
🥶 Refrigerate (35–40°F) for 30–45 days

Then plant in pots or your garden! 🌱

(Don’t freeze—can damage seeds unless fully dry)
#MonarchMilkweed #GrowNativePlants

Caring for Milkweed: From Seeds to Butterflies and Back Again A season-by-season guide to growing healthy, monarch-safe milkweed

Hello, Bluesky!!

If you want to help Monarchs by planting Milkweed, check out my latest Substack article.

Caring for Milkweed: From Seeds to Butterflies and Back Again
open.substack.com/pub/ginaradu...
#GrowNativePlants #Milkweed #MonarchMilkweed #TheNativeGuild

Narrowleaf Milkweed along a fence in bloom

Success!🌿

A Monarch Butterfly is frequenting this patch, but she won't let me get a good picture😜

I'm thrilled to witness the entire life cycle process and will let you know if/when I find an egg or larvae. Yay!!✨
#TheNativeGuild #MonarchButterfly #MonarchMilkweed