08/31/2025
Our various permaculture guilds (areas of distinct purpose/planning within the larger system) are delineated by mown paths, creating an idyllic state-park-like environment ☀️🌿🦅🐢🌱 Our paths often change year-to-year, due to Nature’s “planning” (for instance, a sudden new stand of Giant Ironweed or milkweed).
And sometimes, nature’s plans are completely outside of our “ideal” Permaculture system!
Take this lone milkweed plant, for instance. As I was mowing our boundary (buffer zone) one day, I saw this little buddy.
He was of a height that we would normally mow over (we have dozens more milkweed plants on our farm), BUT it was clear —from the little nom-noms on the lower leaves — it showed the tell-tale signs of being enjoyed by the monarchs. So, we let it persist. And am I glad we did!!
Yesterday, I planned to take a few pictures to illustrate how you can know for SURE that the monarchs are enjoying your milkweed (lower leaves missing entirely), but there was an even clearer sign! Two monarch caterpillars, at varying stages of growth! These little guys never cease to surprise and delight me.
So, in conclusion, while visible signs of leaf consumption is ONE way to tell you’ve got beneficial visitors, an even better one is finding their young 😁🥰
