Collecting Milkweed Seeds this Fall

As the calm autumn winds begin to blow and the vibrant hues of fall color our landscapes, it's a particular time for conservationists and nature enthusiasts. It's the perfect season to collect milkweed seeds. Milkweed, a native plant to North America, is vital in supporting our ecosystem, especially the majestic monarch butterfly. At LongView Carbon Farms, we're deeply committed to creating specific nature corridors, including establishing monarch butterfly preserves from border to border. Collecting milkweed seeds is an integral step in this mission.

Here's a simple guide to help you join us in this important endeavor:

1. Timing is Everything:

It's crucial to harvest milkweed pods just before they fully open. Usually, this is in the early fall when the pods are mature and have turned a light brown color. The seeds inside should be dark brown, indicating they're ready for harvest.

2. Choose the Right Milkweed:

Various milkweed species exist, but the most common and beneficial for monarchs is the Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Please look for plants with large, broad leaves and round pods.

3. Harvesting the Pods:

Wear gloves to protect your hands from the milkweed's sap. Carefully pluck the pods from the plant and place them in a paper bag. Using paper rather than plastic is essential cause it helps absorb any residual moisture, which can cause the seeds to rot.

4. Processing the Seeds:

Back home, you can spread out your collected pods in a well-ventilated area to dry for a week or two. Once dried, split the pods open to reveal the fluffy seeds inside. Separate the seeds from the white, feathery fluff (known as coma). A simple trick: Use a fan to blow away the fluff as you drop the seeds, capturing just the seeds in a container below.

5. Storing the Seeds:

Please store your cleaned seeds in a labeled envelope in a cool, dry place. Properly stored milkweed seeds can remain viable for several years.

6. Giving Back to Nature:

When spring returns, you can sow your milkweed seeds in a sunny location. If you're not planning on planting them, consider donating them to organizations like LongView Carbon Farms, which support monarch habitats.

Collecting milkweed seeds isn't just an autumn activity; it's a conservation effort. Each seed harvested and sown is a step closer to restoring habitats and ensuring that monarch butterflies continue their awe-inspiring migrations. As these seeds grow into mature plants, they provide food for monarch caterpillars and act as vital pollinators, reinforcing the intricate web of life.

At LongView Carbon Farms, our mission is to mitigate deforestation and climate change while championing causes like the monarch butterfly conservation. We all play a part in a more sustainable and biodiverse future by engaging in simple acts like milkweed seed collection.

Join us this fall in our mission, and let's sow the seeds of change together!

Pure Conservation is a generational effort, and we do it weekly.