Beautiful picture :) Is that Lobelia?
Try all methods and see which works best. Start some inside a few weeks ahead of time to get a jump on things. Spring sow other seeds after stratification, and Winter sow others.
I store mine in baggies, stuffed in a vase out in my garage for the Winter. Late next month or in April, depending on the weather, I'll bring them inside and attempt to start some in flats.
I have Rue, Button bush and Bronze Fennel to plant this year.
It's always exciting growing something new.

Thanks leaf head,

Yes, that is lobelia..while I understand I can find what works best for me, I do have nearly 3000 milkweed seeds to sow. While I can accept failure on some fronts my goal is to provide seeds for the monarchs next year (especially since they are not native here).

Thanks again.

SCG

Every little bit helps at this point, and is very appreciated by all.
Those milkweeds will also make an attractive nectar source to your other butterflies as well.

SCG,
With limited time, space, and soil, I would wintersow most of your seeds. It's the closest to nature, but with protection. I wouldn't worry about the roots being disturbed in seedlings. You may lose a few, but your overall success rate will be better.

Martha

Thanks again all.

I wasn't sure if milkweed was one of those plants that would not perform if you did any root damage.

Methinks the kiddie pool is going to be repurposed!

SCG

Hi there,

Do you know what kind of milkweed seeds you have? Some are annuals in colder climates, while others would be perennial. For instance, Tropical Milkweed or Asclepias curassavica is an annual in more northern climates.

Some milkweed seeds could be sown outside now--they would need the stratification to break dormancy.

Asclepias incarnata is not too fussy about getting moved after being planted, just need some attention until established.

Thank you for taking care of the Monarchs. Maybe you could share some with like-minded people in your area or go plant in areas that are neglected?

Thanks bernergrrl for the response and sorry I am slow responding.

I don't know exactly what variety of most of the milkweed i have. They were obtained during a trade and labeled as "common" milkweed.

I have winter sowed some in the containers I have all the rest between damp paper towels in the fridge. Hopefully I they will take when I direct sow them.

I appreciate all the help. Since monarchs are not native here my goal is only to harvest the seed (a lie as I know native BF
s will like it!) I am currently clearing a 300ft X 60ft area for these seeds... Will be pretty if most take!

Thanks again

{{gwi:451885}}

Sweet White Lined Sphinx!! What is that it's nectaring on? (Mine love Hostas)

Good luck with your Milkweed and your Monarch project.

Thanks Leafhead, Was the only one I seen last year, hope more come this year as I planted a few host plants. The flower is a Benary's Giant Zinnia. Thanks for the tip on the hostas.

The hummer was the only thing not impressed with the moth.

{{gwi:451886}}

Flower is Nicotiana.

SCG

What a shot!!
I'll have to add some of that to my garden as well :-)
We've had a heat wave up here in the Midwest, with upper temps at or near 40 degrees-above zero. Halleluea!! Spring is peeking through and snow is beginning to melt. Yay!!

YES! we have had the same heat wave, 2 weeks ago -30C and +10C right now. Most of our snow is now gone making for a very mucky, yucky spongy mess. I am so ready for spring!!

Here is to warm thoughts.

The butterfly feeding trough in front of my shop last year.

{{gwi:451887}}

SCG

Awesome garden...Warm thoughts indeed. Esp love the blue towards center right.
Just talked c my oldest sister, and she's COMPLAINING about the heat down in South Florida! WAH LOL
What I could be planting down there right now...

oh Yeah WAH!!!...

My planting style is to plant enough that the weeds don't stand a chance or you don't see them.. The blue/purple is lobelia from the initial picture. Deadheading is done with shrub shears....sometimes....

another for warmer thoughts

{{gwi:451888}}

SCG

dbl post

This post was edited by SouthCountryGuy on Sun, Mar 9, 14 at 19:57

Thanx, SCG...Beautiful White Admiral
It's 50 here, the birds are singing and the snow is melting :-) YAY!! We're due a week c six out of seven highs above freezing and lows on the 20's. I think the icy back of Winter is finally broken. I'd be quite surprised-and put off-if we saw any more nights below zero. We'll undoubtedly see more snow, but it will melt off rapidly.

Lol I posted the wrong picture. That Loquins Admiral is on aster ( nice guess too!!)

Yeah we have been in the low 40's F for the past few weeks with more snow doubtful. While we can still get frost till nearly June I usually have to mow a few times in April. Yay! For spring!

Wish I could access my hard drive with all my butterfly pictures. One almost feels warm looking at them. Oh well how about a skipper?

{{gwi:451889}}

Too melting days!!

SCG

Cute Skipper, Fiery?

Ahh, again so close...it is a Ochlodes sylvanoides or "woodland skipper" the absolute most prevalent here.
I really am needing access to my HD now as this is becoming fun....from photo bucket library...

A "matrix" theme.

{{gwi:451890}}

SCG