Project Milkweed: free flowers = more Monarch butterflies!

Already missing your summer garden, or bummed you missed your chance to plant? You can still plan ahead for 2025! The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is giving away free milkweed seeds to restore landscapes and preserve habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.

Project Milkweed offers up to three seed packets of Red Milkweed and Common Milkweed to Tennesseans as supplies lasts. It is recommended that you have these planted by October 15, or before the temperature really starts to drop. Cold weather is vital for the germination of the seeds.

TDOT also clarifies that milkweed is a native wildflower to Tennessee and not an invasive “weed.” Additionally, Monarch caterpillars exclusively feed on milkweed and will not feed on your other plants. While milkweed can be toxic to other animals, most won’t eat it unless food is scarce as they don’t like the taste.

Click here to place your order and learn more about the initiative, plant care, and more.