With summer quickly approaching, what could add a better touch to your home garden than a yard full of butterflies?  Growing a butterfly garden adds a creative flair to your own backyard, as well as provides a safe habitat for these delicate, beautiful creatures to grow and prosper.

To help you get started, follow these simple steps:

Step One: Conduct Your Research

First, it’s important to find what butterflies are native to your area, and make a list of all the different kinds you would like to attract.  From there, determine which plants and flowers the butterflies lay their eggs on, and on which their larvae (caterpillars) feed.  It is important to include host plants for the caterpillars’ homes, and nectar plants for the butterflies to feed.  For example, the Painted Lady butterfly larvae prefer sunflowers as the host plants, and the butterfly bush as their source of nectar.  Note that butterflies tend to look for sources of food by color, size, shape and fragrance – all important when choosing your flowers.

Step Two: Choose Your Location

Do not get discouraged if you lack a garden of your own, or even a backyard.  A butterfly garden can be any size ranging from a small window box to an area of your property.  Here are a few necessary tips in choosing your site:

1)  Choose a large, open, sunny area.  Butterflies tend to be more active in the sun!

2)  Make sure the area is protected from the wind.  If this is impossible, determine which direction the wind generally comes from and plant windbreakers such as shrubby nectar and food plants.  Other examples include small fences and even large rocks.

3)  Keep in mind the estimated full growth of your plants.  The area should be large enough, and also allow the plants to receive enough light and water.

All of this could require some planning on paper, but get creative!

Step Three: Cultivate Your Soil

Once you have designed your layout and purchased the seeds necessary to start your garden, the next step is to plant them.  Constructing the garden will vary, depending on how much work needs to be completed before preparing your fresh plot of soil.  Make sure the soil is loose enough to softly crumble in your hands, then rake it lightly, and scatter the seeds evenly throughout.  If necessary, eliminate any weeds from the area, and always remember to water the area daily until the seeds germinate and the plants are well established.

Step Four: Create Mud Puddle Areas

Since butterflies can’t drink from open water, permanent puddles are also an important addition to your garden.  One way to create these is to bury a bucket to the rim and fill it with gravel or sand.  Then, pour liquids such as stale beer, sweet drinks, or even water inside.  Finally add some twigs or rocks on top for perches.  If your area is too small for this, a small pan filled with mud will do just fine.

Additional Tips:

1)  Add some garden accessories, such as a butterfly house, which has slots to keep birds out, and also protects the butterflies from the wind.

2)  Offer additional sources of nectar to supplement your flowers.

3)  Avoid the use of pesticides – this one’s a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many gardeners overlook this simple step.

With the right conditions and care, butterfly gardens are fairly easy to grow, but be patient.  It usually takes a few weeks for the butterflies to appear.

Happy Gardening!