Gardening Guides by Publish Date:
Practical Guides & Getting Started
Practical guidance for building and maintaining gardens:
Practical guidance for building and maintaining butterfly gardens, including planting, timing, seed starting, and early decisions that shape long-term outcomes.
Practical guidance for building and maintaining butterfly gardens, including planting, timing, seed starting, and early decisions that shape long-term outcomes.
Host plants, nectar, and simple habitat structure.
Butterflies, Habitat, & Life Cycles
Butterfly life cycles, host & nectar plants, habitat structure, and how butterflies use gardens throughout the seasons:
Gardening in Texas Heat (Zone 8)
Planting guidance & seasonal strategies for gardening in Texas heat, including region-appropriate plant choices:
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Get a free printable checklist covering the basic elements of a butterfly garden:
Free
Monarch Migration Tracker
Click the map below to track the current Monarch Butterfly Migration on the official USFWS website.
Find My Planting Zone
Click the map below to find your Plant Hardiness Zone on the official USDA website.
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Why Butterflies Disappear in Early Summer (And Why That’s Normal)
In spring, butterfly gardens thrive with activity as fresh leaves and blooming nectar plants attract adult butterflies. However, by early summer, this vibrant scene often quiets down, leading gardeners to worry about the apparent decline. In reality, this transition is natural and signifies different life stages of butterflies, including egg-laying and caterpillar development. As temperatures…
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What to Leave Alone in a Butterfly Garden in Late Spring
Late spring is a crucial period for gardeners, especially in butterfly gardens where plants rapidly develop and support insect life. While it may be tempting to intervene due to visible irregularities, such as chewed leaves or wilting, restraint is essential. Over-managing can disrupt plants’ root systems and hinder natural processes like insect development and community…