August in the Garden: Tasks, Tips, and a Look Ahead to Fall Here in South Central Virginia, August has always felt like “back to school” season. By mid-month, the local schools are back in session, and with two universities in our small town, the stores fill up with dorm supplies and school gear. What a…
Butterfly Gardening
Butterfly gardening means planting trees, shrubs, and flowers to attract and sustain various butterfly species. As forests, meadows, and other undeveloped areas disappear to housing developments and roadways, the natural habitats of butterflies are disappearing.
Butterflies need specific ecosystems to survive. Monarch butterflies are a great example. They have adapted to thrive on milkweed. The caterpillars must feed on milkweed leaves in order to survive. Yet milkweed is one of the plants that are often bulldozed to make way for development.
Learn about the many beautiful plants you can add to your garden to attract pollinators and support native species. Buterfly gardening is fun for the whole family, and children love getting involved, too.

















