How do I maintain a butterfly garden seasonally?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Butterfly gardens will require seasonal adjustments if they are to thrive in the changing conditions of each year. Springs will require new plantings & soil preparation, while summers might involve maintenance of the blooms. Fall will address any migrating species. Winter will require dormancy protections for some lifecycle stages of all species. Each season has specific & standard conditions that require actions for survival & support. Getting the timing right year after year will help the garden continue to support habitats for butterflies.
Spring Preparation
- Plant new milkweed after last frost
- Refresh mulch around existing plants
- Install puddling stations before first butterflies emerge
Summer Care
- Deadhead flowers every fourteen days
- Check for caterpillars before pruning
- Refresh water stations every two days
Fall Transition
- Leave seed heads for migrating monarchs
- Plant fall nectar sources like asters
- Reduce watering as temperatures drop
Winter Protection
- Preserve twelve-inch plant stems intact
- Maintain leaf litter layers
- Avoid disturbing potential chrysalis sites
Spring maintenance lays the foundation for the season. I personally sow milkweed when the soil temperature gets to 50°F. I continue to spread new compost and mulch around existing plants to preserve moisture and freshen their appearance. I check overwintering sites for any butterflies developing. I typically use a sponge to provide a thorough cleaning of the puddling stations. The above preparation will prepare the habitat for the season's first arrivals.
Caring for your pollinator garden in summer takes regular effort. Remove spent blooms by deadheading them every two weeks to encourage continued flowering. Check the milkweed leaves daily for the presence of monarch eggs. Water the plants in the early morning to avoid the threat of evaporation. Camp down and refresh puddling stations on hot days every two days. Please check for caterpillars before pruning in early summer. Hot summer weather will need additional hydration support.
During the fall season, attention is directed to aiding migration. A good practice is to leave seed heads on coneflowers and milkweed. These serve as food sources for migrating monarchs. Moreover, it is also best to plant fall nectar sources, such as goldenrod, in August. Reduce watering as temperatures start to decrease. Keep track of when you see caterpillars to anticipate where the chrysalis will form. Don't prematurely clean up garden debris and foliage!
Winter protection maintains dormant stages of life. I never cut back a plant's stem to less than twelve inches. These were overwintering chrysalises. Keep any leaf litter that is present, layered under your shrubs. If you had chrysalises under those shrubs the previous summer, be sure to check for any remaining chrysalis cases before cleaning up in the spring. If you live in a snowy area, do not walk on or disturb regions where you think there is a potential habitat. This is all done to help protect a fragile life stage, for the moment.
Commence seasonal maintenance today. Record present garden conditions. Complete task list, focusing on immediate tasks this month. Your continual attention helps build a thriving habitat for wildlife year-round. Butterflies will come back faithfully to well-cared-for spaces, and you will experience the entire process from one season to the next.
Read the full article: How to Create Butterfly Garden in 7 Easy Steps
