Actually I am almost positive to Mulch, but for a Butterfly garden, what type or kind? Does any one have any suggestions? I have read somewhere before that certain types of Mulch contain harsh chemicals that the BFs are not fond of.
Any input will be helpful.
TJ
aka ShadowJack
To Mulch or not to Mulch? that is the question!
I use mulch from the landscaping company (hemlock). I always worry about the same thing, but I want my yard to look good, and I don't think I will like the look of the other options. I have heard all sorts of recommendations some being, chopped leaves, pine needles, straw, compost and my favorite cocoa bean shells, but these are far too expensive for my large garden and my budget ;) I am interested to see the responses to this question myself though.
Mmmmm...interesting question... I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing, either, but in the springtime we use a very light layering of a shredded pine bark mulch. This is mostly for 'looks' and I don't think it has much horticultural value for us.
In the fall we save our chopped leaves and put some of those down on winter sensitive perennials, or we use pine straw which is very nice if you can get it. Then in the spring we remove much of it. I often wonder if I've removed some chrysalis hiding in the leaves, but there is not a lot I can do about it.
I was a little bit reassured this week as I saw 2 mourning cloaks fluttering around the garden and a zebra swallowtail alighting on a sunny rock. I think spring has sprung!
You are so lucky to have zebra swallowtails, and it's so early! The only b's here have been a few cabbage whites.
Zebra Swallowtails! You lucky duck! I should look it up, but I am being lazy and going by memory -- are those the ones that like the Paw paws? My 2 paw paws don't look like they are coming back, unless they are very late to leaf out, in which case it's possible. The thing is, they looked really good last fall. :((
Suzy
I don't know where these ZS came from--we usually get a few in April--I think they fly in from the woods for the crabapple and lilac nectar in the yard. The article below says 2 flights per year...
I haven't checked my Paw Paws that are hidden along the wood's edge--I'll go out today and see how they are doing.
The paw paws I tried to grow in our yard proper have withered and died. I think mine got too dry last summer or they don't like transplanting (even though these were only about 10 inches tall....
Zebra Swallowtail info: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1353
T - how do you chop your leaves? I was thinking about doing that, I get so many oak leaves in my yard, I need something to do with them.
I found a great page on paw paw - http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-220.pdf
One thing odd about growing them is that they need part shade until they are well established, then they need full sun.
I have had a few small white Butterflies this week flitting about. I felt bad becuase there is nothing blooming for them to feed on, and then yesterday I got really excited when I was out working in the garden, I saw a design on an orange, brown and black BF. I didn;t recognize what kind it was and don't recall seeing on in my moms garden that looks like this one before. She wasn't here but for a few minutes, not enough time for me to get the camera.......all very exciting. I am still amazed at how much joy they can bring to me.