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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Texas Native Grasses That Support Butterflies (and Why They Matter More Than You Think)
Native grasses play a crucial role in butterfly gardens by providing food, shelter, and microclimates for butterflies and their larvae. In Texas, grasses such as Little Bluestem, Indiangrass, Gulf Muhly, Sideoats Grama, and Switchgrass support various butterfly species while enhancing the garden’s ecosystem. These grasses require minimal maintenance, thrive in Texas heat, and contribute to…
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Winter Sowing in Texas Zone 8: How to Get a Head Start on Your Garden
Gardening in Texas Zone 8 presents unique challenges, particularly due to mild winters and unpredictable cold. Winter sowing offers a solution by allowing gardeners to start seeds outdoors in containers, mimicking conditions for natural germination. This guide explores winter sowing methods, suitable seeds (both hardy and half-hardy), and essential practices like selecting containers, preparing soil…
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Where Do Butterflies Go In Winter?
In Texas, butterflies adapt to winter in various ways rather than simply vanishing. Species like Gulf Fritillaries endure cold months by hiding in leaf piles, shrubs, or vines, entering a state of torpor when temperatures drop. Swallowtails overwinter as resilient chrysalises, while monarchs include both migratory and resident populations. Skipper caterpillars find shelter in grass…
Butterfly garden paradise 