Within the next few weeks, we’ll start to see North American monarch butterflies migrating southward from their summer breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States to their overwintering locations in warmer climates.
South Dakota State University Extension Urban Entomology Field Specialist Dr. Amanda Bachmann says where you are in the state determines how many of the monarchs you’re likely to see.
The monarchs need food to sustain themselves during their long migration, so Bachmann says planting fall flowers is one way to help them.
For those interested in having some hands-on experience with monarchs, Bachmann recommends attending Insect Festival Sept. 12, 2026, at McCrory Gardens in Brookings.
The SDSU Extension Garden Hotline is a free service. It connects local gardeners with experts who offer research-based advice on lawn care, plant diseases, insect pests, trees and weed identification. Submitting photos with your questions is encouraged.
Open seasonally:
- Pierre Regional Center: Call 605-773-8129 or Email sdsu.gardenscentral@sdstate.edu
- Aberdeen Regional Center: Call 605-626-2876 or Email sdsu.gardensnorth@sdstate.edu
- Rapid City Regional Center: Call 605-394-6814 or Email sdsu.gardenswest@sdstate.edu
Open year-round:
- Brookings open year-round: Call 605-690-9447 or Email sdsu.gardenseast@sdstate.edu
- Online (South Dakota only) by filling out the form on the SDSU Extension Problems and Solutions page, https://extension.sdstate.edu/garden-yard/problems-and-solutions
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