Common Milkweed Request Form

Scroll down to complete the 2023-2024 seed request form.

The request form is closed. If you would like to request milkweed seed in bulk, please contact brenna at bmarsicek@swibirds.org

This seed is intended for individuals or groups doing large-scale restorations on restoration-ready land (5 acres or more).

You can make a big difference for monarchs in Wisconsin! By planting milkweed, you provide a vital host plant for monarchs to lay their eggs and for the caterpillars to eat. In Fall 2023, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (SoWBA, formerly Madison Audubon) and its members collected, cleaned, and tested 171 pounds PLS (pure live seed) of common milkweed seed — and we want to spread that wealth!

Common milkweed seed available at no cost!

SoWBA and the Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative are working together to distribute the milkweed seed to Wisconsinites who are working on large restoration or native plantings that would like to incorporate common milkweed seed into their mix. The seed is available at no cost to the recipient (a $120/pound value, free to you!), and can be mailed to anywhere in Wisconsin. If you would like to make an optional donation to support this effort, please do so here and put in the comments “milkweed seed.”

This seed is intended for individuals or groups doing larger-scale restorations (5 acres or more) on restoration-ready land, not necessarily homeowners.

When to request seed?

We recommend you order as soon as possible for winter 2023 and spring 2024 plantings. Available while supplies last. Best times to plant milkweed seeds are in fall or winter. Milkweed seeds require a time of freezing to activate their germination.

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

How much seed can you get?

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 of pure live seed per acre 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).

We have a lot of seed, and will distribute until it’s gone!

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Martin, SoWBA’s Goose Pond Sanctuary resident co-manager, at goosep@swibirds.org or Brenna Marsicek, director of communications and outreach, at bmarsicek@swibirds.org.

Want to go a step further?

Distribution of milkweed seed is free, but your voluntary donation will help support our important work and enable us to continue this important restoration work. If you are interested and able to make a donation, you can do so here — put “milkweed seed” in the comments.

Header photo by Emily Meier.