Page 59 - Sonoma County Gazette MARCH 2020

Monarch Butterfly Habitat Garden
The Monarch Butterfly Habitat Garden in the town of Sonoma began because four individuals were concerned about the alarming population decline of Monarch butterflies. The garden came into creation by a partnership of the Valley of the Moon Garden Club, State Historic Parks, the First Congregational Church, and its Earth Care Committee. The mission is to encourage people to grow flowering plants of perennials and wildflowers for nectar, and native milkweed to host Monarch caterpillars.
The hope is to create a superhighway of pollinator gardens through Sonoma Valley, which is becoming even more of a monoculture of vineyards. Home gardens, patio planters, church properties, school gardens, public lawns, and more can all contribute to the cause.
The garden is in its third year. Sonoma Materials donated loads
of premium soil mix, Emerisa Wholesale Nursery gave the perennial plants, and people brought wildflower seeds to sow. Milkweed plants are grown in the greenhouse at General Vallejo State Historic Park.
Monarchs migrated south
through Sonoma Valley in late summer to lay eggs on the narrow leaf milkweed. They were fostered in sheer tents through their caterpillar stage to healthy butterflies that went on their way to warmer climates to winter over.
The story of the garden, how it was made, the Monarchs’ metamorphosis, other creatures who inhabit the garden, the ideal flowers to grow in a pollinator garden, and more will be presented at a meeting of the Valley of the Moon Garden Club on Thursday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. at Burlingame Hall, 252 W. Spain Street. Refreshments and a plant raffle will follow the meeting. Club members are free, and guests are $5. For inquiries, call 707/935-8986.
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