Gardening Guides by Date:
Begin with the Basics: Host plants, nectar, and simple habitat structure
Host plants, nectar, and simple habitat structure.
Go Deeper into Butterfly Gardening:
Plant selection, placement, seasonal care, and common mistakes
Gardening for Texas Conditions:
Heat, drought, timing, and native plant choices for Zone 8
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Free Butterfly Garden Checklist:
Free
Monarch Migration Tracker
Click the map below to track the 2025 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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Smart, Safe, Sustainable: The Complete Guide to Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Cover photo: Ladybird beetle larvae love to eat oleander aphids and are an example of nature’s pest control. A Better Way to Protect Your Garden If you have ever battled aphids on milkweed, spider mites on hibiscus, or armyworms mowing down fresh growth overnight, you know how quickly garden pests can turn a healthy landscape…
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Monarch Host Plants vs. Nectar Plants: A Simple Beginner Guide
To successfully attract and support monarch butterflies, it’s essential to distinguish between two types of plants in your garden: host plants, which caterpillars need for feeding and egg-laying, primarily milkweed, and nectar plants, which adult butterflies require for energy. In Texas, native milkweeds like Antelope Horn and Green Milkweed are vital for reproduction, while nectar…
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Year-Round Beauty: Winter-Value Native Plants for Texas Gardens
Winter gardening in Texas can be vibrant with native plants suitable for Zone 8, which thrive in local conditions. By selecting the right evergreen and deciduous plants, you enhance visual appeal and support wildlife with winter food sources. Key options include Yaupon Holly and Texas Mountain Laurel for structure, while grasses like Big Bluestem add…
Butterfly garden paradise 