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February 13, 2018
I don't know about you, but one way I cope with winter is by planning my garden. It's my philosophy that it's never too early to be thinking about the next growing season and lately my thoughts have leaned towards how I am going to transform my property into a Monarch butterfly (and pollinator) paradise! How many of you also have this goal?
One crucial element needed for a Monarch paradise is Milkweed. Every year Monarch Watch, which operates out of the University of Kansas, both sells and gives away milkweed in their Milkweed Market which has just opened for business for 2018. Details are below!
 Monarch Watch is taking pre-orders for milkweed purchases through our Milkweed Market https://shop.milkweedmarket.org/. (Credit cards are charged at time of order.) Most species are $74 a flat of 32, and Texas species are $93.50 for a flat of 50 plants. Share a flat with another gardener, or use the plants as a fundraiser. They can resale for up to $5 a plant! These are restoration-quality plants that are trimmed prior to shipping, and because they are pesticide-free, they may carry aphids. We expect to begin delivery to most locations in early May, depending on weather. Our species selection is limited to our seed supply, so consider sending us several ounces of ripe, wild-harvested, cleaned, identified and well-labeled milkweed seeds this coming fall. We especially need swamp milkweed and butterflyweed seeds.
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Free Milkweeds for Restoration Projects Grant: “Restoration” projects are those where habitat has been disturbed and the land is being managed to return the vegetation to its natural state. (Gardens are not eligible.) We will consider projects that are two acres or larger. We have funding in place for distribution of 100,000 milkweed plugs in 2018, and we are always looking for more funding. We are currently accepting applications for Spring 2018. Recipients are responsible for shipping costs. The link to the free milkweed information page and application is provided below. Please apply or share the link with all who might be interested in large scale milkweed plantings on both private and public lands. We have distributed 320,000 free milkweeds for habitat restoration projects across the Eastern United States since the project began Fall 2015.
http://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/free-milkweeds-for-restoration-projects/
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Free Milkweeds for Schools and NonProfits: Through a separate grant, schools and educational non-profit organizations can apply for one free flat of milkweed to be planted on campus or in public gardens at the link below. Be sure to review the Sample Form prior to beginning the application.
https://biosurvey.ku.edu/application-free-milkweed-nonprofits-and-schools
http://monarchwatch.org/a/2018-sample-form.pdf
Questions? Email monarch@ku.edu.
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