Category: Butterflies

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Where Can I Buy Native Milkweed in Ventura County?

Monarch butterflies are in decline, but you can help! Native milkweed is the only food source for monarch caterpillars, making it crucial for their survival. By planting native milkweed in your garden, you’re directly supporting these iconic pollinators. This blog post will guide you on the importance of native milkweed, how to care for it, and how to create a monarch-friendly garden.

Add native milkweed to your cart today and create a haven for monarchs in your garden! Shop Milkweed Plants here.

Why Native Milkweed?

  • Essential for Monarchs: Monarch caterpillars exclusively feed on milkweed leaves.
  • Support Local Ecosystems: Native plants are adapted to your region, benefiting local pollinators and wildlife.
  • Beautiful and Diverse: Milkweed varieties offer a range of colors and textures, adding beauty to your garden.

Caring for Your Native Milkweed

  • Sunlight: Milkweed thrives in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily).
  • Soil: Well-drained soil is ideal. Milkweed is adaptable to various soil types.
  • Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Once established, milkweed is relatively drought-tolerant.
  • Maintenance: Cut back stems in the fall or early spring to encourage new growth. Avoid pesticides!

Creating a Monarch-Friendly Garden

  • Plant in Groups: Plant at least 2-3 milkweed plants together to provide enough food for monarch caterpillars. A larger patch of 5-10 plants is even better.
  • Choose Native Varieties: Select milkweed species native to your specific region. This ensures the best support for local monarch populations. You can find native milkweed at [your website].
  • Add Nectar Plants: Plant other native flowers that provide nectar for adult monarchs, such as asters, coneflowers, and goldenrod.
  • Avoid Pesticides: Pesticides can harm or kill monarch caterpillars and butterflies.

Ready to make a difference?

Add native milkweed to your cart today and create a haven for monarchs in your garden! Shop Milkweed Plants here.

I hope this helps! Would you like me to make any adjustments, such as including specific native milkweed varieties for Somis, California, or adding details on where to purchase companion nectar plants?

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At Risk Monarchs: Why These Butterflies Need Us Now.

at risk monarchs

Let’s talk about one of the most iconic and beautiful creatures in our gardens—the Monarch Butterfly.

Monarch Butterfly on a flower.

Monarch Migration

Did you know that Monarchs have a fascinating migration pattern here in Southern California? Each year, they travel thousands of miles, from as far as Canada, all the way down to Mexico. Many of them stop right here to rest and feed on nectar plants. But this incredible journey is under serious threat.

three monarch butterflyes

Population Decline

In recent years, Monarch populations have plummeted. Habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change have pushed them to the brink of extinction. In fact, they’re now considered endangered. If we don’t take action, we could lose them forever. Imagine a world without Monarchs—their stunning orange wings no longer filling the skies, no more magical migration to witness. It’s up to us to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Monarch butterfly on a flower

How can I help the Monarch Butterfly?

It’s simple—plant native milkweed and nectar-rich flowers in your garden. Monarchs rely on these plants for survival. And please, avoid using harmful pesticides that can kill butterflies and other pollinators. Every small step you take can make a huge difference. Your garden could become a crucial stop on their journey, helping them rest and refuel.

Where Can I Buy Milkweed in Ventura County, California?

milkweed 1 gallon
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Milkweed – 1 Gallon

Looking for a head start in your pollinator garden? Our 1-gallon second-year milkweed plants are mature, well-rooted, and ready to bloom this season—no waiting required! These robust plants are already established and strong enough to draw in monarchs and other native pollinators right away. Perfect for instant impact, they’re a great choice if you want to see butterflies sooner and skip the seedling stage.

first year milkweed
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Milkweed – 3 inch

Just starting your pollinator patch or planting on a budget? Our 3-inch milkweed seedlings are an affordable way to add this essential butterfly plant to your garden. These healthy young starts are easy to transplant and grow quickly with the right care. They’re perfect if you’re planning ahead, expanding your garden, or looking to watch your plants grow from the ground up.

Let’s work together to protect the Monarch Butterfly. Their future is in our hands, and we have the power to keep their incredible migration alive for generations to come.