Butterflies and Memories

Dad was a Master Gardener who helped to design and install the butterfly garden at a local school. He put his heart and soul into making that garden a special place for children to learn and enjoy. Ever since his passing, whenever I see a butterfly, I naturally think of my dad.

If you are thinking of planting a butterfly garden, pick a sunny location that is preferably protected from the wind by a fence or wall. Certain shrubbery and small trees also help to provide shelter during inclement weather.

Utilize both host and nectar plants in your garden. The butterflies will lay their eggs on the host plants and the larvae (caterpillars) will quickly devour the foliage for much needed energy. The next stage will be that of the pupa in which the butterfly begins to form. Once the butterfly emerges it will need food provided by the nectar plants. Even fruit such as watermelon or mangoes that you place in the garden will delight these little creatures.

Have you ever seen butterflies standing beside a mud puddle? They are actually drinking the water and taking in amino acids and dissolved salts. By burying a plastic container, i.e. a litter box, at ground level, and filling it with damp sand in or near your butterfly garden you can provide this necessary water source.

Popular host plants can range from butterfly weed to passion vine to hibiscus to roses and many more. Nectar plants include but are not limited to blanket flower, coreopsis, lantana, salvia and plumbago.

The palette of choices is immense. Combined with your creative imagination and design techniques you to can make your own memories or provide a joyful learning experience for children of all ages.

Status on My Container Vegetables

I told you I would keep you posted on my attempt at growing veggies in containers. So far my bell pepper plants are flourishing and we have already been snacking on fresh green pole beans for several days now.
The tomato plants have produced but not as much as I had hoped for. I am now looking for the "Better Boy" variety and will give them a whirl. Just recently I picked up some banana pepper plants and am anxious to get them potted up.
My eggplant bush has been promising with many flowers but no fruit yet. It's possible that it needs more sunlight than it is getting so I am going to move it outside of the orchid house. Wish me luck!