Foliar feeding in a butterfly garden

McLean, VA(Zone 6b)

I was very excited about trying compost tea on my garden this summer after reading all the benefits. Then I suddenly found myself wondering, is this going to adversely affect the butterflies? I'm also wondering about fish emulsion, which I have used in the past. While I pride myself on having an organic garden, organic doesn't mean that it isn't harmful. I don't have a seperate garden for butterflies - I spread flowers along my entire property for them.

Last year, I used fish emulsion a few times, and I don't recall seeing a decrease in the number of butterflies, and other beneficial insects. My garden was full, lush, and full of life. I thought that I would see what other people were doing before deciding what to do this year.

Thumbnail by pennefeather
Fort Worth, TX(Zone 8a)

I just had that question asked of me today while touring my garden with some new friends. I used to foliar feed but stopped because of the same fear. If anybody knows the answer I would be interested to know also.

Cincinnati (Anderson, OH(Zone 6a)


And I was wondering about DeerScram and Liquid Fence, etc. for the same reasons.

I did spray it on the Daylilies, but the butterflies aren't so interested in those...

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
BACK TO TOP