Monarch Girl Summer
Forget “hot girl summer”. We are doing Monarch Girl Summer.
Hot girl walks? Nah, it’s a milkweed mosey.
Last summer, I (Bryana) was concerned at the noticeable lack of monarch butterflies and caterpillars. Despite my healthy population of milkweed plants throughout my property, I was hard pressed to see a single caterpillar or monarch.
Fast forward to this summer, and oh-my-lanta! We’ve got multiple monarch butterfly sightings a day. My kids and I are constantly finding caterpillars on our milkweed plants. We are in monarch heaven!
We bring the caterpillars inside to help with their rate of survival. I think they’re the best “pet” ever!
Highlights include:
They’re temporary.
Observing their process is SO COOL for all of us.
The kids can help with refilling the milkweed for food, cleaning the “home”, etc
We’re helping the population thrive! It makes us feel like we’re helping the world, because we are!
I have had a few mishaps in monarch parenting.
The chrysalis needs about a 4-inch diameter in order to open its wings and hang. If it’s too close to the side of its “home” it’s important to carefully relocate the chrysalis. (I watched youtube videos on how to do this).
I currently have a chrysalis on my ceiling. No joke! I didn’t even know that one of the caterpillars went missing. I will say, this brings me great joy and amusement. When people come over, the kids love showing people our ceiling chrysalis. Lol! Getting the butterfly outside once it opens up should be a fun ladder adventure.
Little known fact, all things monarchs is a topic Amanda and I frequently discuss. We are constantly chatting up a storm about our milkweed and caterpillar populations. Caring for monarchs is so fun and makes ya feel good about contributing positively to the world!
