How to Create a Puddle for a Butterfly Garden
A butterfly garden is a beautiful addition to any landscape and an easy way to attract one of nature's most elegant creatures into your yard. All butterflies need an ample source of fluid to satisfy their thirst, but traditional ponds or pools of water will not suffice. Butterflies are not able to drink from such sources, since their delicate wings are not strong enough to withstand the surface tension of the water. "Puddling" is seen when butterflies gather at a source of moisture, most often a shallow mud puddle, to get their needed water. It is essential that such a moisture source is made available in a butterfly garden. Creating a puddle is easy to accomplish in just a few simple steps. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Bucket, bowl or flat pan
- Dirt, sand or gravel
- Water or sweetened liquid
- Rocks and sticks
Instructions
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Creating a Puddle for Your Butterfly Garden
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1
Bury a bucket, bowl or flat pan within the butterfly garden, leaving the rim flush with the ground.
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2
Fill the container with dirt, sand or gravel.
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3
Pour water or another sweetened liquid into the container to create a soupy mud puddle.
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4
Refill the puddle as necessary to maintain the proper wetness of the mud. Butterflies will be able to land on the mud to drink the liquid.
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Tips & Warnings
Overripe fruit placed near the puddle will attract butterflies to the area. They can also sip the nectar from the fruit. Rocks or sticks placed in the puddle will give the butterflies a place to perch while they drink.
Do not make the puddle too wet; otherwise, the butterflies will not land or be able to drink.
