October is the time of year for pumpkins, squash, scrunching through piles of fall leaves, and enjoying the last of the lovely weather before winter sets in. Here in Virginia, October can go either way — sometimes it stays warm, and sometimes the first frosts move in and finish off the summer vegetables. At this…
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.
