This is the best article I've read in weeks, Paul. Butterflies mean so much to me. I feel humbled by your telling the story of how you and Jennifer raise and care for these creatures. I knew monarchs are vital to the overall ecosystem, but I did not realize they're dying off... which saddens me, as many things do. Knowing there are people like the two of you who are protecting this delicate life form uplifts me. I'm grateful you shared this today, and I'm eager to read the article you wrote in Lit Mag when I obtain access to it. (I bought a digital back-issue today.)
So amazing! I had no idea! Your post certainly has me appreciating these beautiful butterflies even more! Love the help Jennifer and you are doing for the Monarchs! Thank you for sharing!
What a beautiful article! Jennifer is doing a meaningful work. I would love to try to raise the Monarchs and the milkweed. It does get cold here! Thank you, Paul!
This is a lovely, educational and joyful post. Thanks for sharing Jenn and her monarchs and that delightful butterfly hutch. There are lots of milkweed plants in my town, but very few monarchs this year. Makes me sad...
I’ve long wanted to have a monarch butterfly “farm” since the venue where my daughter got married built theirs and I got intrigued. Nature keeps tapping me on the shoulder to do it, like how three summers back, I was a butterfly guardian and then someone wrote that story as a children’s book! Her illustrator made me look quite handsome 😀
Each of my grandkids got a sealed letter from the author with their copy. So far, they have not opened it, I suspect, waiting to know how to read (6, 4, 4 next month)…
Story here… links to the original LinkedIn story and video. I should bring that over to Substack. I think next summer I’m going to start… thanks for the links
Lovely photos. Last spring we planted a pollinator garden and have been thrilled this year to see Monarchs as well as other species of butterfly come through, feed, and lay eggs. We considered providing a “nursery” for Monarchs but after doing some research, we decided not to. This article was particularly informative: https://e360.yale.edu/features/monarch-butterflies-milkweed-home-breeders
So it looks like it depends on where you live. The problem is tropical milkweed, but where we live in Kansas, the colder climate causes the problem to be much less severe. It's much worse in Florida and California, where there are rarely freezing temps.
Thanks for the link. Interesting article. We're very careful about OE--in the last 4 or 5 years we've only lost a handful of butterflies, versus hundreds of healthy ones--but I'll share with Jenn.
This is the best article I've read in weeks, Paul. Butterflies mean so much to me. I feel humbled by your telling the story of how you and Jennifer raise and care for these creatures. I knew monarchs are vital to the overall ecosystem, but I did not realize they're dying off... which saddens me, as many things do. Knowing there are people like the two of you who are protecting this delicate life form uplifts me. I'm grateful you shared this today, and I'm eager to read the article you wrote in Lit Mag when I obtain access to it. (I bought a digital back-issue today.)
It’s really Jenn’s thing—I just try to help out. But thank you for the kind words <3
So amazing! I had no idea! Your post certainly has me appreciating these beautiful butterflies even more! Love the help Jennifer and you are doing for the Monarchs! Thank you for sharing!
Monarchs are wonderful. Many gardens here have what we call swan plants and kids love raising them. They really do poop a lot!
What a beautiful article! Jennifer is doing a meaningful work. I would love to try to raise the Monarchs and the milkweed. It does get cold here! Thank you, Paul!
This is a lovely, educational and joyful post. Thanks for sharing Jenn and her monarchs and that delightful butterfly hutch. There are lots of milkweed plants in my town, but very few monarchs this year. Makes me sad...
The hutch is awesome! (She lurks on here occasionally, so she will probably see your post.)
Now I have another reason to love milkweed. I didn’t know about its importance to Monarchs.
Thanks for sharing this!
I’ve long wanted to have a monarch butterfly “farm” since the venue where my daughter got married built theirs and I got intrigued. Nature keeps tapping me on the shoulder to do it, like how three summers back, I was a butterfly guardian and then someone wrote that story as a children’s book! Her illustrator made me look quite handsome 😀
Each of my grandkids got a sealed letter from the author with their copy. So far, they have not opened it, I suspect, waiting to know how to read (6, 4, 4 next month)…
Story here… links to the original LinkedIn story and video. I should bring that over to Substack. I think next summer I’m going to start… thanks for the links
https://gerardmclean.com/from-caterpillar-to-book-3c1493dea55b
So cool! I have a few friends who do this and I think it's amazing!
Lovely photos. Last spring we planted a pollinator garden and have been thrilled this year to see Monarchs as well as other species of butterfly come through, feed, and lay eggs. We considered providing a “nursery” for Monarchs but after doing some research, we decided not to. This article was particularly informative: https://e360.yale.edu/features/monarch-butterflies-milkweed-home-breeders
So it looks like it depends on where you live. The problem is tropical milkweed, but where we live in Kansas, the colder climate causes the problem to be much less severe. It's much worse in Florida and California, where there are rarely freezing temps.
https://vinlandvalleynursery.com/2023/07/were-still-growing-tropical-milkweed-heres-why/
Thanks for the link.
Thanks for the link. Interesting article. We're very careful about OE--in the last 4 or 5 years we've only lost a handful of butterflies, versus hundreds of healthy ones--but I'll share with Jenn.