Milkweed Seed Pod Collection

By: Gwen Roth
​Pollinator Species, such as the monarch, are experiencing population declines across the United States. To help foster the creation of monarch and other pollinator habitats, the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) is partnering with the State of Ohio's Soil & Water Conservation Districts in a Statewide Milkweed Pod Collection.

Milkweed is essential to the survival of Monarch Butterflies in our state, due to its location along the migration pattern. The Monarch butterflies that hatch here in the summer migrate to Mexico for the winter, where they will restart their life cycle and return in the spring.

During September and October everyone is encouraged to collect common Milkweed pods from established plants. It is best to pick the seed pods when they appear dry, gray, or brown in color. If the center seam pops with gentle pressure this indicates that they are ready to be picked. Seed pods can be stored in paper bags, labeled with the county from which they came, the date and time along with species collected, if not common milkweed. Pods can be dropped off at the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District by October 30th. Visit our website for additional information.

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