How to Make a Butterfly Friendly Garden

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By deepthinkin
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Make a Butterfly Friendly Garden

How lovely it is to gaze out into a sunny garden and watch the bees buzzing and the butterflies flitting from blossom to blossom. With a little planning and effort you can create your own tranquil butterfly oasis.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Rocks or pavers
1-2 lbs all-purpose sand
Flowering plants native to your area
A location that gets 5-6 hours of sun daily, the size is up to you
Trowel

Step 1

Designate a place for your garden. It could be just a four foot square in front of your kitchen window, or something more ambitious that runs along the length of your house. Just remember that you’ll need an area that gets at least 5-6 hours of sun daily. Keep in mind too that gardens require a certain amount of maintenance, even if you plant drought resistant natives.
Step 2

Sketch out the area you intend to plant making a note of the measurements. Somewhere in your plan, add the rocks or pavers and an area amongst them for a shallow hole filled with sand. The rocks are heat sinks that will give the butterflies a place to warm themselves, and the sand will be kept moist with water so they have a place to drink.
Step 3

Every region has its own indigenous butterflies, so a trip to a full service nursery to learn what flowering plants are native to your area is the next step. Native plants attract native butterflies. When selecting your plants, give thought to growth heights and spread as well. Taller plants will go in the back of your garden, shorter in front.
Step 4

For the butterfly watering hole, dig a shallow, 1 inch deep hole, and fill with the all-purpose sand. Keep enough water in it to keep the sand moist.
Step 5

When executing and maintaining your garden, use organic mulches and fertilizers for planting, and never use any chemical pesticides or herbicides. Use organic gardening methods only; otherwise you risk killing the butterflies! Good luck with your project!