Need Help?
FAQs
In addition to being a junior citizen scientist and reporting what you see happening in your backyard, you will want to make your backyard as friendly to butterflies and other pollinating insects as you can.
How can I make my backyard welcoming for butterflies
Butterflies, bees–and even hummingbirds eat the nectar of many flowers.Â
Why do I need to grow milkweed
A monarch butterfly will only lay eggs on a milkweed plant because the caterpillars that hatch will only eat milkweed.
Where do I get milkweed?
There different varieties of milkweed. The caterpillars seem to prefer ones with yellow flowers over orange, but they will eat any milkweed. You probably have a type that is native to where you live. You can grow it from seed or it as seedlings or plants from any good nursery.Â
When will the butterflies come to my garden
This is hard to predict. It depends on where you live and what the weather is like in each season. Typically they will be flying north from Mexico to Canada during the spring months and back through the United States as fall approaches.Â
What flowers should I plant?
Now days, many nurseries and seed distributors package combinations of flowers as butterfly gardens or pollinator plants. There are many plants that offer nectar to bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. It is always best to plant native plants that are adapted to your soil and climate. But as long as you avoid invasive species, you can make a garden that is pleasing to you and your family and the butterflies will love it too.
Do I need special degree to be an Author?
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Is that the mission--planting a garden?
No. That’s just the first step. Learn to tend the garden. Water and remove dead blossoms so more will grow during the long season. Once you’ve spotted monarch eggs and then tiny caterpillars, you will have to check every day to make sure that aphids or flies or other predators don’t eat the babies.
What do I do if I see aphids?
There are a lot of different situations depending on where you live, the season, the plants, and more. The internet has a lot of information. Your community also has Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists who can help. For example, Ladybugs eat aphids and don’t eat caterpillars. Some nurseries sell ladybugs. If you don’t have ladybugs you can squish them or hose them off depending on the strength of your plant.
