First milkweed

[Pixie]

Today I spotted the very tips of the one swamp milkweed that is always the first to poke through, about 2 weeks earlier than usual.

A few of the nectar plants have begun rising up - coneflowers, asters, anemones, monarda - spring is here!

Mona - I have a question about those barrels you use for milkweed - I remember you saying you put some bark mulch in them before the soil...........Do you drill drainage holes in the bottom of the barrels or is the bark mulch enough to absorb water?????

Dottie (Pixie)

[Mona Miller]

I have a portable 12 volt hand drill. I use the bits you use to bore holes in wood (1/2 inch wide). I put a few holes in the bottom and some in the sides about an inch up on the sides. I figure if they don't drain well in the bottom that some of the water will drain out the sides. I use pine bark nuggets in the bottom. I fill it about 1/3 full. Someone told me that tropical milkweeds like acid. I figured that the pine bark would do the trick and also saves on soil.

With all those large plastic containers that I had planted last year, I did not have to go wrangling once for milkweed. Now, many of the places that I would have gone have been destroyed.

[skates4marty]

Re: the barrels. Where is this original thread? I don't get a hit searching "barrels."

[Mona Miller]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2024#p10047
You can see the "totes" or plastic containers on the outside of the tent.

[drexel.n@gmail]

My swamp weed has been slowly coming up for a few weeks now. Friday (April 9) I spotted the first new growth on my joe pye weed. And then last night I noticed some common sprouts - 3 a little over an inch tall each. And I also saw one little showy milkweed sprout. I didn't expect that one to come back (I don't know why I thought that) and I am so excited! My butterfly weed still shows no sign of growth and I'm worried about it, but I am thrilled with everything else. I have some tropical seedlings in the house that are doing well. I will keep some in containers and some others will go in the yard. Hopefully by the time the monarchs make it to Cincinnati, I'll be ready. Yea!