THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY IS IN DECLINE
WHY? There are many contributing factors including habitat loss and climate change, both of which have altered the usable range of these iconic creatures. Another significant reason is the increased use of pesticides like neonicotinoids and pyrethrins, both of which affect our pollinators in negative ways.
With climate change and an expanding resident Monarch butterfly population on the rise we still have time to make more habitat. You can help restore some of that habitat at home by planting milkweed because milkweed is a keystone species that promotes a healthy ecosystem.
Caterpillar Chow is a milkweed nursery and habitat center in Lakeside, CA dedicated to bringing access to nature through education, gardening, adventure, and experiences. We provide the plants that help make habitat happen and provide the understanding needed to appreciate the benefits of pollinator gardening. Caterpillar Chow is dedicated to diversifying the urban-wild interface and making our home more harmonious with nature.
Let's get started, shall we?
A new way to grow green.
Our plants are grown in earth-friendly products to minimize our impact
We currently use many varieties of plastic nursery bags for all of our indoor-cultivated plants. This allows us to use 90-98% less plastic than traditional nursery pots. We also use less water with our tray systems and take a zero runoff approach to how we handle water on the property. We have habitats and gardens that use our greywater and our seedlings are hydroponically fed. We do not use pesticides or petroleum-based fertilizers.
The system can run on filtered rainwater and still produce in the winter with solar-powered LED lighting. That's zero-grid autonomous operation with minimal staffing and a much lower carbon footprint over time.
PESTICIDE FREE
We have an enclosed greenhouse to help ensure our plants are pest free. We use no systemic pesticides because we care about our environment.
Milkweed is a vital food source for many creatures; systemic pesticides destroy habitat on a large scale and poison our water and food supplies.
Limited runoff means we save a lot of water every year!
We use special trays to bottom water our stock which allows us to control how much water and for how long-- without putting anything back into the ground.
The only time we lose water is when we clean our trays- but don't worry! We use bio-swales to use that runoff to water our gardens and landscaping.
The sun, technology and green power
To keep growing healthy plants during the winter season, we convert our natural sunlight greenhouse to a light controlled production facility using the most efficient lighting available to us, full spectrum white light - and it's only 14 watts per square foot!
During the summer we lift the lid and allow the power of the sun take over, saving the lights for next winter season. This system allows us to continue producing healthy milkweed all year long.
Milkweed is the ONLY food source for the monarch caterpillar.
The lifecycle of the caterpillar is long, requiring a lot of energy and components from the plant to create its final form- the monarch butterfly. Making sure you have enough food to supply these voracious eaters can feel daunting, but Caterpillar Chow is here to help!
PLANT NATIVE?
While we believe an urban garden can have many wonderful varieties of plants, we firmly believe wild habitats should be as native as possible. That's why we've partnered with our friend Brad Grimm of Grow Milkweed Plants to help you find out which milkweeds are native to your region.
As for naturalized or exotic species of milkweed we support them as viable and non-harmful additions to any home garden.
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You and I are the same.
From our roots I began this journey as a service. It started in my own garden and eventually I realized that everyone needs a connection with nature, not because it's cool or trendy or about our future. And now we know, milkweed isn't just about the butterfly. It is about healthy ecosystems, which improve the quality of our own personal daily lives. And that's the best gift we can give ourselves.
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How to Stay Pesticide Free at HomePlease remember, we live here too! Say no to pesticides and let nature handle it for you!
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Learn MoreWhen you sprout your first milkweed seedling , the entire universe of the monarch butterfly is at your fingertips. All you have to do next is plant it.
