Propagate toxic-free & healthy plants for pollinators!

Join Justin Okin, Kreigh Hampel, and Ashbear on Sunday, April 3 in propagating native seeds that will later be transplanted along the Chandler Bikeway. All ages are welcome!  Start a few plants for your yard and a bunch for the Monarch Mile! Learn about propagating native seeds, meet new fun friends, and be part of a community-based nursery and a pollinator corridor!

Would you like to adopt these young plants that will be transplanted to the Monarch Mile later in 2022? We would love to work with you!!

The problem we need to address:

Nursery-grown pollinator-friendly plants are often treated with neonicotinoids, a group of powerful and long-lasting insecticides. Bacillus Thuringiensis is an "organic certified" bacteria that kills caterpillars and is often used on pollinator-friendly plants.  Without warning, many well-intentioned and excited gardeners are buying plants that kill the very insects they want to support.  The Monarch Mile is dedicated to expanding healthy habitats for all pollinators, and that's why we are inviting community members to take action by propagating clean and healthy plants.

What to expect at the April 3rd event:

This will be a hands-on, potting session at shaded tables! All ages are welcome, experienced gardeners, or first-time beginners.  We'll make seed blocks, fill trays and pots with planting mix, label and record them, and of course, plant seeds in the mix. This is also a chance for you to become part of the "Monarch Mile Community Nursery" by adopting some of these tender young starts and gaining experience in propagating native plants at home.  Depending on the type of plants you adopt, we'll plant some this spring, a few in summer, and the rest in the fall and winter of 2022-23.  Of course, we hope you'll plant some at your home too!

What to bring

• gloves
• water
• comfortable work clothes

and if you have things to share, we need can use

• propagation trays (picture)
• pony packs (picture)
• coir
• potting mix

Adopt-A-Plant or adopt a tray!

If you choose to adopt plants (and we encourage everyone to try it) you'll receive instructions for germinating, watering, and hardening off plants, plus resource links for more information.  You'll need an initial indoor or outdoor protected warm space, lights if growing indoors, two minutes a day to check water, and after a few weeks, a quiet outdoor space with filtered midday light. We'll answer questions and get you going!