Hey guys. I am new to this site. Been hanging around awhile and just subscribed as I have found it very informative. I am just starting out trying to achieve a BF garden after falling in love with swallowtail cats on my dill plants. I am reading these forums and everyone seems to be light years ahead of me. Just wondering of there is any advice any of you can give a newbie on this subject. I have done research, planted certain plants but some of the plants talked about on here I have never heard of before. I live in Zone 7, Texas, if that helps any. Again any friendly advice for a newcomer is most appreciated.
Thanks
This message was edited Jun 28, 2007 7:41 PM
Just starting out with BF garden and need help!
Hi, lostintexas--
Since you have been hanging around the forum already, you probably have some of the basic host plants--milkweeds, parslies, passionflowers, etc, and the good basic nectar flowers such as coneflowers, joe-pye weed, mist flower--with some nectar blossoms in bloom all through your bf season. But just in case, here are a couple of EZ to read articles about how to start butterfly gardening--
http://www.bbg.org/gar2/topics/wildlife/handbooks/butterflyguide/ for good background.
Some guidelines for your butterfly garden are:
1. Avoid pesticides. Butterflies are insects and will suffer if you use them.
2. Try to use native flora as much as possible. Plant masses of color rather than single plants.
3. Have some host plants for oviposting and caterpillar food.
4. Besides flowers, plant shrubs, vines, and trees to provide nectar for the butterflies in your area.
5. Provide a warm flat rock or a mud puddle and maybe some butterfly 'brew' or 'mash'
6. Your butterfly garden doesn't have to be extensive. Many people make a contribution to butterfly conservation just by planting some pots of milkweed or window boxes with nectar plants.
The Texas BF gardeners will have to give you more details on what is especially attractive in your area--I know you have some wonderful butterfly activity down in your part of the country that you will want to research specifically....and there are several wonderful butterfly parks to check out, too.
As you research and develop your butterfly garden, you will probably want to check the DG Seed trading forum for available seeds for nectar plants--there are usually members who are willing to share to get new gardeners going at no cost. Or search the forums for other information for butterfly pics and ideas on how to collect and raise caterpillars.
Good luck! And take some pictures! t.
lostintexas - Welcome! Love your DG name! LOL!
You can read through all the threads (which is a LOT), check out books at your local library, do internet searches, etc.
Here is a useful link for you, so that you have an idea of what butterflies/moths frequent your area (it's by county):
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/map?dc=5618&_dcc=1&si=44
By state:
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/map?ds=44&_dcs=1
Chances are there are a shortage of reports for your area, so you probably get a LOT more butterflies than what is listed. I usually figure if they are listed on my state list, then there is a good possibility that I might get them! :-)
Ask away with questions.
Here's some useful thread and/or posts that might be helpful to start you off:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/643281/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/668193/
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/667130/
Thank you so much Tabasco. I do have some plants mentioned but can see I need to do some more buying. Will also enjoy reading the article you mentioned. I am going through the forums now writing down all of the plants listed by people that bring butterflies to their yards. Then will go and see if they grow in this area. I am so excited about this and want to do a really good job of making a nice haven for these beautiful creatures. Thanks so much for replying and you have already been a big help.
One of my favorite books for newbie butterfly gardeners is:
“The Family Butterfly Book” by Rick Mikula. Perhaps your local library might have it. It's worth checking out and will give you a LOT of basic information. :-)
And there are tons more good books!!!
Thanks to you Becky. I had not even thought about checking out books. I have just been getting info on the internet. I love a good book though so that would be a great way to get info. Thanks so much.
Well Lost...if ya found your way to our forum...ya ain't too lost :o) Welcome!!!
Tab and Becky provided excellent websites. That butterflies and moths one is really good...helps pinpoint the butterflies in your location so you know what to look for and what to plant.
I don't think Abilene has a NABA (North American Butterfly Association) website but please feel free to browse through our local south Texas one.
http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/index.html
Yeah, I'm gonna brag...our South Texas NABA website has the best photos and information on butterflies, moths and damselflies. Of course, we get a little over 300 species in this little tri-county area :o) Arrroooooooohhh!!!
Please look over our photo gallery as well as the links under gardening for the nectar and foodplants. Those are in a pdf format and printable. I keep a copy of the larval host one in my car and in my camera bag. Very helpful when I'm out shopping for plants or out in the field butterflying.
Dale Clark out of Dallas County also has a good website for butterflies in that area. Check out his website and click on the link for Butterflies of Dallas County, Butterfly Gardening and Caterpillars...lots of good photographs and information.
http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/
Browse through the seed trading forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/trading/all/ and the plant trading forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/planttrading/all/
Look for trades or post your own.
There is also a Texas Gardening forum you can peruse as well. http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/region_tx/all/
Another good book to start off with is "The Life Cycle of Butterflies" by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards - it shows the life cycle of the most common garden butterflies...really helps newbies (and oldies too) identify eggs, caterpillars, chrysalids and of course, the butterflies. It also lists good nectar and larval host plants. http://www.butterflynature.com/
~ Cat
This message was edited Jun 28, 2007 10:13 PM
lostintexas - I forgot to mention that if you click on the name of any of the butterflies listed on the 2 websites I listed, it will give you more info about that particular butterfly/moth. As you read down the details, you'll see host and nectar plants that they use. So of course, you could find and plant those particular plants to attact them to your yard! :-)
Thanks Texas Puddy and Becky. Just got up and read some more great information from you guys. Ya'll are great. I don't think we have a NABA here in Abilene either Puddy so I will peruse your site with enjoyment.
And thanks again Becky for your help.
I really appreciate everyone's knowledge and help here.
You're where I was a year ago -- building flowerbeds and dreaming of what I would plant to draw in more birds and butterflies. I read books and internet sites until I was cross-eyed And spent hours reading the forums on Dave's Garden. And trying to visualize what would grow well in my area and where to put it in the flowerbeds. One book I can recommend is "Butterfly Gardening for the South" by Geyata Ajilvsgi. The book covers all areas of Texas.
You are going to have so much fun!!
Carla
Thanks Carla, another good resource. I am stopping by the bookstore on my way home tonight. I just love everyone's enthusiasm and it gets me even more enthusiastic which I did not think was possible. I am getting a little frustrated because it will not stop raining here long enough for the sun to come out where I can go out and enjoy any butterflies that might flit through my yard. However, after a 10 year drought around here I refuse to gripe about any rain.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
Leslie
lostintexas-
Welcome to the best obsession in the world!! LOL! Enjoy!
Adrienne
Thanks so much Adrienne. I am really enjoying it so far.