To prepare for the coming spring, 2nd graders have planted their milkweed seeds! As you may know, milkweed is an essential plant to many pollinators. It is especially important to the fabulous Monarch. While not terribly difficult to grow, milkweed seeds do require a process know as stratification. Basically, the seeds need to go through winter! This process involves setting seeds in a cold place in a damp media for an extended period of time. In nature this occurs when seeds are buried during the winter months. This process can be mimicked indoors to protect the seeds from hungry birds and to allow observation of the new growth. Last October the class of 2029 set a slate of seeds to be stratified in the refrigerator in the science center and our results are paying off. The class of 2029 and 2028 have planted these stratified seeds and some are already starting to sprout! With care and attention we should have quite a few home grown plants to add out butterfly garden in a month or so!
Enjoy this photo of the milkweed growth!
-Mr. Robinson
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