Common milkweed at Goose Pond Sanctuary. Photo by Arlene Koziol
Free common milkweed seed (Asclepias syriaca) is available from the Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative and Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon) for restoration-ready land in Wisconsin. The seed is tested for purity and germination, so it will be distributed as pure live seed.
What do we mean by restoration-ready? Restoration-ready land has recently been burned or cultivated and is ready for planting; bare soil is available for seeds to germinate. You likely still qualify if there is significant bare soil for any reason. If you are unsure if your planting qualifies as restoration-ready, please contact Mark Martin at (608) 333-9645.
The amount you will receive is based on two factors: 1) the acreage you are planting and 2) whether or not the restoration-ready plot is under contract.
Your planting must be a minimum of five acres. You will be provided one ounce per acre of common milkweed seed unless you are enrolled in a conservation program like Conservation Reserve Program. In that case, you will receive whatever the contract requires (usually 5 oz/acre).
To request milkweed seed, please complete the form on this webpage: https://swibirds.org/milkweed-request-form
