{"id":968,"date":"2024-08-23T14:45:12","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T14:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/proxy-botanicalinterestscom.epicgardening.com\/community\/blog\/?p=968"},"modified":"2024-08-23T14:45:13","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T14:45:13","slug":"milkweed-sow-and-grow-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.botanicalinterests.com\/community\/blog\/milkweed-sow-and-grow-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Milkweed: Sow and Grow Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Not only is milkweed a beautiful addition to the garden, but it is the only food monarch butterfly caterpillars can eat (what is called a “host plant”). For many years, milkweed has been sprayed with herbicides and eradicated from farms, yards, and public landscapes because, although native, was undesirable in those areas, and its ecological importance was not appreciated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This reduction in milkweed has been linked to the drop in the monarch population, which has declined up to 90% in the last 20 to 30 years. Growing milkweed in your home landscape can help save the monarch butterfly population; and it’s fairly easy to grow, as milkweed is virtually care-free once established and provides wonderful summer blooms that other pollinators flock to. If you were wondering how to grow milkweed from seed, you’ve come to the right place!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General Sowing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When to sow outside:<\/strong> 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, or fall for spring germination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to start inside:<\/strong> 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special sowing instructions:<\/strong>\u00a0With exception to narrowleaf milkweed (A. fascicularis<\/em>) and tweedia (Oxypetalum coeruleum<\/em>) stratification aids germination. Stratification is the process of subjecting seed to moist, cold treatment to break dormancy, which occurs naturally when seed is sown outdoors in fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mimic this process when starting seed indoors in spring, sow the seed into a resealable bag or a growing container of moistened seed-starting mix, cover with a clear cover, and leave the container in a refrigerator for 3 to 6 weeks, checking moisture occasionally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then move to a warm location to germinate. More on stratification in the article\u00a0Stratification and Scarification<\/a>. In the case of narrowleaf milkweed, light aids germination; press seeds into the soil surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outdoor Sowing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sowing Preparation and Spacing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With exception to Irresistible Blend Milkweed<\/a> (i.e., swamp milkweed), which does best in moist, even muddy clay conditions, the other milkweeds we carry are drought tolerant to varying degrees and need well-drained soil. You can improve your soil’s drainage by mounding soil, adding organic material, or planting on a berm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Water frequently to establish; however, once established, water only when soil becomes dry, as plant has a large tuberous root and can withstand drought. Irresistible Blend thrives in average to wet conditions. Tweedia thrives in drier conditions, but is not as drought tolerant as other milkweeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fertilization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keep area well weeded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When 3″ tall, thin to 12″-36″ apart, depending on the variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n