Back to school season arrived once more.
My social media feeds were filled with photos of kids not even tall enough to reach a doorknob smiling timidly for their first day of elementary school picture, as well as photos of well-outfitted dorm rooms and exhausted parents leaving their young adult behind as they return home to the proverbial empty nest.
This year felt less stressful for me personally as my daughter is starting her senior year of college. We have this moving thing down to a science.
Even though in many ways it was physically easier, it was a bit more emotionally taxing. It feels odd for me to say I have a senior in college.
This year we weren’t in a rush to say goodbye to each other. She didn’t get crazy cranky and I didn’t get wildly weepy. We simply seemed in a rhythm where we enjoyed each other’s company and didn’t feel the need to part ways too soon.
She’s been on my mind a lot after I drove away from the university that she’s called her “home away from home” since 2023.
I keep thinking of all the things she has taught me lately. Yes, we’re reaching that point in life where mom is learning a thing or two from her own daughter.
When I moved to the St. Clair area about a year and a half ago, we were both surprised at the minimal landscaping done at the new-to-us abode. Our previous home had so many trees and flowers. This felt like a blank canvas.
My daughter immediately insisted (and she has been a huge help with this endeavor) that we work to establish more pollinator-friendly areas, as well as have some raised beds for vegetables.
My typical zinnia and marigold flower beds were not going to be “enough” in her opinion.
I admit I dragged my feet on both projects, but she was insistent. I heard directly from her about how important doing such things would be.
She had facts. She had emotional appeal. She was willing to do a lot of the ground work. And, she won me over.
Two summers later, we have milkweed bringing in monarch butterflies that have laid their eggs. I have watched small monarch caterpillars eat like there’s no tomorrow!
They get so big and then before I know it, the magic starts. I’ve gotten to see those plump caterpillars transform into monarch butterflies. Every time I get to see it happen, I feel like I am watching a miracle.
Her efforts have brought in other pollinators as well. It’s like our lawn has come to life!
As for the gardening for fresh veggies, she won me over on that, too.
I lucked out and found a man selling two new raised garden beds in their packaging deeply discounted on Facebook Marketplace.
My daughter came home from school last spring and helped me assemble them.
From there, setting them up was a bit tricky. But, it worked! She has helped me with the vegetable plants all summer long. To see and taste our combined efforts has been exciting.
I know this isn’t the typical article sharing tips and tricks for places to explore in our lovely river hills, but if you have stayed with me this long, THANK YOU.
And, I hope you’ll consider these three things:
1. Start a vegetable garden.
2. Be pollinator-friendly in your flower beds.
3. Let your child(ren) teach you something new.
I’d also like to share two great resources for milkweed. Let’s start off with the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Visit mdc.mo.gov and search for “milkweed” on the site’s search bar. You will find a lot of research-backed information available for free thanks to the MDC.
As far as obtaining milkweed seeds or plants, I recommend Missouri Wildflowers Nursery. Their website is mowildflowers.net or call them at 573-496-3492.
They can also be reached by email at mowldflrs@socket.net for more information.
I know summer is wrapping up, but it’s not too late to start planning ahead. Spring 2027 will be here before we know it.
I can only wonder what new lessons I will learn from my daughter before then that will carry over into next summer.
However, I do know she’s started dropping more thoughts about purple coneflowers and I am on board!
(Michelle Turner lives in Parkway, Mo., and can be reached at mkdesignsphoto@gmail.com.)
