Milkweed and Monarchs- will you help?

Texas is fortunate in that the eastern (east of the Rockies) population of Monarchs passes through Texas on the way to and from their overwintering sites in Mexico.  It is always a glorious site to see the Monarchs in the spring and late summer/ fall.  The butterflies overwinter in areas of mountain tops in Central Mexico.  Many people think that the decline (at least for the Monarchs that come and go through Texas) is because of the decline of the overwintering locations in Mexico.  While habitat loss in Mexico is certainly a factor, there is another factor that I hope, with help from citizens can be reduced.

The second factor of Monarch decline is loss of milkweed plant populations within the United States.  Milkweed is often considered a weed (a weed is a plant that is out of place), especially when it's found in areas where other, more desirable plants are growing.  As a weed, the milkweed is destroyed, decreasing the amount of food available for migrating Monarch populations.  You can hear more about this from Science Friday here.

So how can you help?  By planting milkweed!  If we can get citizens to plant milkweed in their yards, in community gardens, in school gardens or even cooperate with county and city programs to encourage milkweed in parks and other common areas, then maybe the Monarchs will have islands of milkweed to support their life cycle.  While I'm not sure if it will work, I think it's worth a shot.

You can find milkweed at local nurseries or you can buy seeds online.  Monarch Watch actually has a seed kit that can be purchased for $10 on their website that contains three species of milkweed- Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa); Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca); Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).  All three species are native to Texas so you don't have to worry about bringing in something weird.  The Native Plant Society of Texas has information on milkweed here.   The Xerces Society has information on milkweed and their Project Milkweed here and you can link to sellers of milkweed seeds for specific regions of the country (including Texas).

So, have you bought your plants or seeds yet?  What are you waiting for?  Get out there and get planting. 

Pssssstt....spread the word to everyone you know.  We need all the help we can get!

Water Wi$e Workshop- May 4th

Are you interested in strategies that can help reduce your water usage and conserve clean water sources?  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Travis County will present a Water Wi$e Workshop from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 4 at St. Edward’s University. The workshop is open for adults and kids ages 8-12.  Adults can learn how to convert lawns to landscapes that conserve water, irrigation systems, the Earthkind program, rainwater harvesting and integrated pest management.  Youth ages 8-12 will have their own water- related activities such as learning about aquifers, rainwater simulators and water conservation strategies.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture Continuing Education Units will be offered for this program; 1 IPM & 2 General.

What- Water Wi$e Workshop
When- Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 10AM-2PM
Where- St. Edward's University 3001 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX
Cost- $25 for adults; $15 for youth ages 8-12 (includes lunch!)

Attendees may register online at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu. Enter “water” into the keyword field.

2013 East Austin Garden Fair

This will be an extraordinary event with an emphasis on interactive learning and low cost do-it-yourself and demonstration activities.  We have expanded our favorite booths from last year, and added many new gardening booths and activities.  New features include a raised-bed veggie garden planting demo, make your own rain barrel demo, make your own container garden, butterfly gardening, firewise landscaping, a City of Austin composting class (free kitchen collection container and 75% reimbursement for compost units), along with much more.  We've also added a focus on nutrition (including cooking and grilling demonstrations, healthy snacks and produce tastings, SNAP registration counseling, a farmers market booth, etc.).  There will be tons of activities for kids, and freebies include: seedlings, container gardens, raffled rain barrels, kitchen compost bins, food and produce tastings, hula hoopercise, and free classes on a range of subjects. Sound great?  Here's the information you need to know to join the fun:

 

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2013 9:30AM- 1:30PM

WHERE: Zaragoza Park & Rec Center- 2608 Gonzales Street Austin, TX

COST: Free!

 

Of course I will be there answering questions about insects, so bring any samples that you need to have identified.