Build a Butterfly-Friendly Garden

" The New Moon"
Zora Bernice May Cross

What have you got in your knapsack fair
White moon, bright moon, pearling the air,
Spinning your bobbins and fabrics free
Fleet moon, sweet moon, into the sea?
Turquoise and beryl and rings of gold
Clear moon, dear moon, ne'er to be sold?
Roses and lilies, romance and love.
Still moon, chill moon, swinging above?
Slender your feet as a white bird's throat
High moon, shy moon, drifting your boat
Into the murk of the world awhile.
Slim moon, dim moon, adding a smile
Tender your eyes as a maiden's kiss
Fine moon, wine moon, no one knows this.
Under the spell of your witchery
Dream moon, cream moon, first he kissed me. 

TODAY'S SEEDS OF WISDOM

• JUST BLOOMED TODAY
• GARDEN UPDATE
• BUILD A BUTTERFLY FRIENDLY GARDEN
• FAUNA
• GARDEN GIGGLE
• GARDEN GAMES
• FEEDBACK

JUST BLOOMED TODAY

Baby Apricots!

 GARDEN UPDATE

REALLY sunny today, with a promise of being in the 90's. Made some more bananananafofana for the front roses.

Bindi just keeps gobbling up more and more as we add torn up toilet paper rolls, strawberry hulls, potato skins and shredded junk mail. She is getting really hot in there, so we must be on the right track. 

BUILD A BUTTERFLY GARDEN
For a spring project that can get your family out in the outdoor backyard in the sunshine-and also help some beautiful insects- try a backyard butterfly garden! With just a little planning you can create an attractive and welcoming habitat for butterflies through the warm weather months.

 

The biggest problem facing butterflies is destruction of habitat. Even if your garden offers just a few butterfly-friendly blooms in pots or containers, it can help the insects population, and improve the look of your garden.


The choice of nectar-producing plants on which butterflies feed varies by region. Simple flowers such as Echinacea, daisies, asters, butterfly bush and even some violets can serve as butterfly-friendly snacking spots. Even non-invasive milkweeds can be especially appetizing to migrating butterflies, without taking over your yard. Just as little as one or two plants would be great because when the butterflies are moving there's a place for them to stop.

 

For butterfly-friendly plants that will live in your region, try contacting a nearby cooperative extension office for free advice. Find your closest office here.


There are some important things to remember when planning your butterfly garden. One is understanding that caterpillars, the butterflies offspring, are going to eat host plants, including some herbs and veggie plants. So, plant extra and you'll be rewarded for the sacrifice when caterpillars turn into fluttering butterflies.

You should not use pesticides on veggie gardens or lawns. It's a great excuse to go organic! Here's a wonderful alternative: Soak tomato leaves overnight in water, then strain and spray the solution on plants as an effective and organic pesticide that won't harm butterflies.

There are more ways to make a garden butterfly-friendly besides just offering flowers. Butterflies like to bask in the sun, so putting out flat rocks near feeding spots can offer a perfect place for them to rest.


While butterflies can get most of the moisture they need from feeding, many like to gather around puddles and wet places. You can offer a 'puddling station' by simply creating a damp area of ground covered with sand. Place stations where butterflies- and you!- can easily see them and where they are sheltered from the wind.

 

Beyond the sheer joy you get when seeing a butterfly visit your garden, butterfly gardening can teach young ones about the life cycle of insects and about caring for plants and their environment. The very best part is that we are helping the butterflies! 

GARDEN GIGGLE

BUTTERFLY JOKES (Who Knew?)

What do insects learn at school?

Mothmatics!

Why did the moth chew a hole in the carpet?

He wanted to see the floor show!

What is the biggest moth in the world?

a mammoth!

What does a caterpillar do on New Year's Day?

turns over a new leaf!

What do you call a bug dance?

a moth ball!

Why was the baby insect crying?

He wanted his moth-er

How do you milk a caterpillar?

Find a very low stool

Why do moth actors fly towards candles?

They want to be flame-ous

How do you revive a moth?

use moth-to-moth resuscitation!

What do you get when you eat caterpillars?

butterflies in your stomach! 

FAUNA

GARDEN GAMES
Answer to yesterday's puzzle is JUNIPER
Feel free to right mouse click and save to your computer to print out!

FEEDBACK

 

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