Sixty Seconds with Judi

Once again, I am leaning on my friends at Botanical Interests Seed Company to help me with my blog.  We all have been reading quite a bit about the need to save the bees and the butterflies. But did you know that the Monarch Butterfly is now being considered as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? The population of Monarch Butterflies are decreasing by an alarming rate of 20% per year, but the good news is that home gardeners can change this.

Want to help boost the Monarch population and observe their life cycle? Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed, a plant that feeds the young caterpillars. These precious butterflies will seek out your garden when you grow these vigorous, shrub-like plants that have pink, white and fiery orange shades of clustered tiny flowers.

Milkweed will not only make you and the butterflies happy, but it will also attract hummingbirds and bees. Talk about your perfect environmental shrub! So why am I telling you all this in March while there is still snow on the ground? Because Milkweed seeds like a cold snap to wake them up. You will want to sow them directly outside 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and again up to 8 weeks before first fall frost. In short seasons, start seeds inside 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date.

When starting seed indoors in spring, sow the seed into a container of moistened seed-starting mix, cover with plastic wrap and leave the container in a refrigerator for 3 to 6 weeks, then remove to a warm location to germinate. Always keep soil evenly moist.

So, let’s make an effort to save the Monarch Butterfly this year. Come in and we can show you our selection of Milkweed seeds from Botanical Interests and get you started on your own feeding garden!

Join us this week for:

Our Annual Family Fishing Derby is on Saturday April 7th from 9am to 3pm.  Come help your child catch their first fish, a memory that will last a lifetime. Our Family Fun Fishing Derby provides younger and novice anglers an opportunity to experience the fun of our Fishing Derbies in a less competitive atmosphere.

Our Cooking with Judi Class!  On Friday April 6th at 5pm, Judi will be making mouthwatering dishes that can be made with ingredients found right here on the farm!  This class is fun, delicious and free of charge.  Please call (610) 876-7116 to ensure you have seat at the table!

Succulent Wreath Class– Saturday April 7th at 5pm, our Garden Center staff will help you to assemble a beautiful 6” grapevine wreath with your choice of colorful succulents. Larger wreaths and upgrades are available.  This class fills up quickly, so please call (610) 876-7116 to register.  Fee $25