How wonderful of you to allow some native growth on your property for the Monarchs. Many other insects will also benefit from the nectar the milkweed will provide with their blooms. And what a touching story to share with us. Thank you. I'm going to guess that perhaps one of the native milkweed you're growing is Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed). If so, you will easily see the seed pods on this one. Please see photo below for an immature seed pod of this variety of milkweed. Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) immature seed pod Below are immature seed pods of Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed). At maturity, the pods are quite a bit smaller than common milkweed and they have a smoother shell. When mature, the pods will change color to more of a light brown color and they will split up the side. The seed have little fluff attached, which catches on the breeze and floats away. As the pods begin to turn color, I feel them each day to try and determine how far along they are. You can feel the pod shell give a little bit when they're about ready to open. If caught soon after they split, unless it is windy, you can simply snip them off and place them on paper inside to dry. I use a covering of a paper towel, so they don't float around in the house. You want them totally dry before storing them, otherwise they can mold and become useless. Once they're totally dry, I put them in a gallon plastic bag, use a tie to seal the open end, then shake the bag. This will cause the fluff to release from the seed. The seed will gather in the bottom of the bag and the fluff is above the seed. Once it looks like all the seed have fallen to the bottom of the bag, I take the bag outside, open the top, lift the fluff out and let it float away. Forum members may have other ways of cleaning the seed and if truth be known, it isn't really necessary, just makes it easier to store the seed. In fact, the little fluff would probably help cushion the seed when mailing so cleaning the seed is more of a personal choice, rather than a requirement. Thank you so much for offering to help share milkweed seed and for growing milkweed. Working together, we CAN make a difference. Mary

Onondaga Cave State Park in Missouri offers primitive camping (link below). Alternatively, my husband and I own 60 acres in Steelville (not far from that state park) which is bordered 3 sides by national forest that has lots of hiking trails. We also own an acre on the Courtois Creek and its just a couple miles away from the other property. We'd be willing to explore renting some camping space to both of you. Here is a link that might be useful: Missouri State Parks

Wow....what an amazing list of people.... too many of them no longer with us or active here. It is nice to remember some of their names and their struggles that we shared. Thanks for the memories.

sorry but Its a goner. Aside from local nurseries harris citrus and four winds are most commonly recommended here for citrus. I have bought from harris and the quality and price was excellent. Many others have bought from four winds with great success but they can be a little more pricey. The citrus forum here is pretty active so head over and ask questions. I have been growing citrus in Oklahoma for 6 years and have not lost a single one but they do not stay outside below 40. I move them into the greenhouse before then. Just this past weekend our low was 12 degrees. This year I plan to plant one in the ground and build a structure around it for winter.