We first posted information on the Monarch Watch Organization in some of the early blogs in the spring of 2011. As the monarch population has had a very rough couple of years, it is timely to remind folks of that excellent organization and the fact that the Butterfly Garden is a registered Monarch Waystation # 1905... (our sign was taken down from the old fence and is in the storage shed)
You can take a look at the description of the Matzke Park Garden on the Monarch Watch website by clicking
HERE It also contains a few of the early pictures.
At the time it was registered, the garden had the requisite types and numbers of plants. It might be useful to review a summarized version of the requirements as new plants are considered for the spring. A summary of the requirements are copied at the end of this post.
The full 4 page certification application has much more information and may be found
HERE It has a much more extensive list of desireable plants.
Other interesting links to portions of the Monarch Watch website include the following:
The Main Monarch Watch Home Site is
HERE
The Monarch Watch Blog is
HERE and it shows the dramatic decrease in populations
The Community Forums are
HERE
Monarch Watch on Facebook
HERE
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MONARCH WAYSTATION CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
(a summary)
If
your monarch habitat meets or exceeds the general description of a Monarch
Waystation set forth below, your habitat may be certified by Monarch Watch as a
Monarch Waystation. Upon certification, your habitat will be included in the
Monarch Waystation Registry, an online listing of Monarch Waystations
worldwide, and you will be awarded a certificate bearing your name and your
habitat’s unique Monarch Waystation ID number. You may also choose to purchase
a weatherproof sign to display, identifying your habitat as an official Monarch
Waystation.
Size.
A suitable Monarch Waystation habitat can be easily
integrated with an existing garden. There is no minimum area requirement in
order to certify your habitat; however, a truly effective Monarch Waystation
will be at least 100 square feet. The total area may be split among several
sites at your location and there is no upper limit for the size of a Monarch
Waystation habitat.
Exposure.
Butterflies and butterfly plants need lots of sun;
therefore, Monarch Waystations need to be located in an area that receives at
least six hours of sun a day.
Drainage
and Soil Type. Milkweeds and nectar plants will do
best in relatively light (low-clay) soils.
Good drainage is needed to avoid root rot and provide good aeration of
the roots.
Shelter.
To assure that the maximum number of monarchs survive in your habitat, the
plants should be relatively close together. However, they should not be crowded
– be sure to follow the planting guides specific to each plant. All monarch
life stages need shelter from predators and the elements. Planting milkweeds
and nectar plants close together contributes to this shelter for monarchs and
other wildlife.
Milkweed
Plants. To maximize the utilization of your habitat by
monarchs, it is desirable to include a number of milkweed species. It is best
to have at least 10 plants, made up of two or more species; however, a large
number of plants (more than 10) of one species is sufficient. Milkweeds of
different species mature and flower at different times during the season. By
increasing the number of milkweed species in your habitat you will increase the
likelihood that monarchs will utilize your property for a longer period during
the breeding season.
Nectar
Plants. Monarchs, other butterflies, and numerous pollinators
need nectar. By providing
nectar
sources that bloom sequentially or continuously during the season (as many
butterfly plants do) your Monarch Waystation can provide resources for monarchs
throughout the breeding season and the migration in the fall. A Monarch
Waystation should contain at least 4 annual, biennial, or perennial plants that
provide nectar for butterflies.
Management.
You should have a plan to sustain a Monarch Waystation. Specific actions you
take will depend on the features of your habitat; however, some general
examples include mulching, thinning, fertilizing, amending the soil, removing
dead stalks, watering, eliminating insecticide use, removing invasive plant
species, and incorporating additional features.
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And this fine group of 12 Azaleas are resting up on our patio. ABCS is donating them and a Texas Olive tree to Matzke Park where they will be placed in the area of the monument, as soon as park supervisor Melvin Hill gets back to work. The funeral for his 8 month old baby boy was held on Wednesday and was a very lovely and meaningful service. Our continued condolences and warm wishes to Melvin and his family.
