Late August and early September are important times for migrating butterflies like monarchs, swallowtails, and painted ladies, and the plants in our gardens can make a real difference. This week, Joanne shares simple ways to support butterflies by providing the right host and nectar plants, even if you only have a small garden, a patio, or a few containers.
Some of the topics covered in this week's episode:
Host plants are just as important as nectar plants: Learn the difference between plants butterflies feed from and the specific host plants they need for laying eggs and feeding caterpillars.
Late summer is an important time to support migrating butterflies: The garden season may feel like it is winding down, but late-August and early-September butterflies still need reliable food sources before migration.
A butterfly-friendly garden is part of a healthier, more biodiverse garden: Reducing harsh chemical use — and tolerating some caterpillar feeding — will help create a diverse garden that supports butterflies, other beneficial insects and ultimately birds as well.
Have a topic you'd like Joanne to discuss?
Email your questions and comments to downthegardenpathpodcast@hotmail.com, or connect with Joanne on her website: down2earth.ca
Find Down the Garden Path on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @downthegardenpathpodcast.
Down the Garden Path Podcast
On Down The Garden Path, professional landscape designer Joanne Shaw discusses down-to-earth tips and advice for your plants, gardens and landscapes. As the owner of Down2Earth Landscape Design, Joanne Shaw has been designing beautiful gardens for homeowners east of Toronto for over a decade. She does her best to bring you interesting, relevant and useful topics to help you keep your garden as low-maintenance as possible.
In Down the Garden Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Your Ontario Garden, Joanne and fellow landscape designer Matthew Dressing distill their horticultural and design expertise and their combined experiences in helping others create and maintain thriving gardens into one easy-to-read monthly reference guide. Get your copy today on Amazon.
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