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Milkweed for Monarch Butterflies

Events in September 2023

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
August 27, 2023
August 28, 2023
August 29, 2023
August 30, 2023
August 31, 2023
September 1, 2023
September 2, 2023
September 3, 2023
September 4, 2023(1 event)

Holiday - City Offices Closed

N/A
September 4, 2023

City offices are closed.  Emergency Personnel will be on duty.

September 5, 2023
September 6, 2023
September 7, 2023
September 8, 2023
September 9, 2023
September 10, 2023
September 11, 2023
September 12, 2023
September 13, 2023
September 14, 2023
September 15, 2023(1 event)

Human Trafficking and Communities Discussion


September 15, 2023

The City of Meadows Place will be hosting a discussion this Friday focused on human trafficking and communities with special speaker Fort Bend County District Attorney, Brian Middleton. The event will be held in City Hall at 6 PM. For those who cannot attend, the event will be live streamed on our website and Facebook. We hope you can join us in person or online. Keep in mind, questions and comments will not be taken via Facebook.
To learn more about Brian Middleton, check out his bio here: https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/government/departments/district-attorney
September 16, 2023
September 17, 2023
September 18, 2023
September 19, 2023
September 20, 2023
September 21, 2023
September 22, 2023
September 23, 2023(1 event)

YAC Beach Cleanup Day

N/A
September 23, 2023

Youth Action Council Galveston Beach Cleanup Day is happening soon and we need your help. If you are a high school student or know a high school student, register today.
The event is taking place Saturday, 9/23 in Galveston but registration is due by 9/17.
Email recreation@cityofmeadowsplace.org or text 281-642-7701 by Sunday, 9/17 to register and receive a waiver to participate. Waiver must be filled out in order to attend.
 
FAQ's
Where and when do we meet? Community Center, Saturday, 9/23, 7:30 AM
How will we get there and is there lunch? Transportation & Lunch Provided by Parks and Recreation Staff
What do you bring? Closed Toe Shoes, Sunscreen, and Towel. You may wear swimsuit under clothes.
When will we be back? We plan to be back at the Community Center by 3 PM.
Do I need a waiver? YES, Email recreation@cityofmeadowsplace.org or text 281-642-7701 by Sunday, 9/17 to receive a waiver to participate. Waiver must be filled out to attend.
REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON SUNDAY EVENING.
 

September 24, 2023
September 25, 2023
September 26, 2023(1 event)

City Council Regular Meeting


September 26, 2023

CLICK HERE for Agenda

This site is accessible to disabled individuals.  For special assistance, please contact the City Secretary at (281) 983-2931 prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.  The City of Meadows Place is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

CLICK HERE for Agenda

September 27, 2023
September 28, 2023
September 29, 2023
September 30, 2023

Milkweed for Monarchs

Milkweed is the host plant for Monarch butterflies. The female butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed so the caterpillars can eat the leaves which allows them to build up a toxin that makes the caterpillars and butterflies undesirable to predators that may try to eat them. This toxin is also dangerous to humans so hands should always be washed after touching milkweed, especially the milky white sap inside.

Milkweed is the only plant the monarchs eat so it is essential to their survival. Luckily there are many varieties of milkweed that grow in a variety of climates allowing the monarchs the ability to migrate all over the United States and into Mexico.

 

Tropical Milkweed is easily identifiable by its yellow and orange flowers and can grow to be 3’ to 5’ tall. It is the easiest to find in nurseries. It is native to the American Tropics and in our area requires cutting back in the fall so it can start new clean shoots from the roots the following spring. It is also important to cut it back so the Monarch butterflies will continue their migration to Mexico and not stop here to hibernate over winter. The migration of the Monarchs helps keep the species healthy and limits the diseases they can spread to each other.

 

 

The Meadows Place Children’s Garden has been experimenting with some of the native varieties of milkweed for our area. Last Summer we grew four different native varieties and had the most success with “Aquatic Milkweed” Asclepias Perennis and “Butterfly Weed” Asclepias Tuberosa. These varieties grow to be 18” tall so they are ideal to plant within a garden around your home. Since they are native to this area they naturally die back in the fall and will reemerge from their roots in the spring.

Aquatic Milkweed has white flowers and does not need to be planted in water but seems to really like our wetter climate. Butterfly milkweed has solid orange flowers and does well in our clay heavy soil. Once established they are both drought tolerant. By planting in groups of 3 or so scattered around a garden in sunny to partly shady areas you can provide lots of space for Monarch caterpillars to hide from predators as well as allowing cross pollination of plants so you will get seedpods in the fall.

To learn more about Monarchs and supporting other native butterflies join our private Facebook group “Meadows Place Community Garden”. The Children’s Garden meets Wednesdays after school 3:45-4:30.                                                                    

Written By: Krystin Stegemeier, Meadows Place Children’s Community Garden Coordinator | 713-447-6144