Monarch way station

Pick a spot ideally 100 square feet or more and sunny. I’m doing raised beds because we have utility lines running through this area and I can’t dig into the ground.

Pick out some native milkweed so that you are providing the one plant they monarch butterflies will lay their eggs on and that monarch caterpillars will eat.
The book, “100 Plants to Feed the Monarch” by Xerces Society and the @prairiemoonnursery website are great resources for identifying native milkweed for your area.

and flowering nectar producing plants to feed the monarch adults and the monarch caterpillars

It’s ideal to pick a range of plants that flower from spring until fall, depending on when the monarchs come through your area, they may need a fall source of food or a spring source of food or both

You can grow from seed or you can purchase plants if you’re going to purchase plants I highly recommend purchasing them from a place that you know does not spray neon nicotine

Step three and this is one of the most important do not spray anything on your monarch Way station no pesticides no fungicides no herbicides nothing. You want to keep those plants safe for the monarchs and other pollinators.

How big should it be? ideal is at least 100 square feet, but there is no minimum to be certified and the total area can be split among several sites at your space. Mine is currently 52 square feet in one spot and 300 square feet in another.

Does it provide shelter? Plants should be relatively close together, but not crowded…still figuring this out, but putting plants a bit closer than recommended on their tags.

Food for caterpillars? Milkweed in your way station is a must as it is the only plants monarch caterpillars will eat. At least 10 milkweed plants is recommended.

Food for adult Monarchs? Adult butterflies need nectar sources to fuel them on their journey. Planting several nectar plants, both annual and perennial that bloom at different times during the Monarch migration is important. Some good options are mountain mint, anise hyssop, penstemon, asters, etc.

Water source: The materials online do not mention a water source, but I have added one to my way station.

I used the book “100 Plants to Feed the Monarch” by Xerces Society to help with what to plant in my way station. link in profile

For more Waystation information, including how to certify your space and order a sign, visit @monarch_watch

[staceyallard]

Beautiful! Can you tell me what the small terra cotta pots upside down on stakes are for? I’ve seen them 100 times in other people’s gardens but don’t know the purpose. I even googled it but got no answers.. 🤷🏼‍♀️ thank you! 😊