6 Easy Steps for Creating a Beautiful, Year-Round Habitat for Wildlife and Butterflies

Nature is both incredible and diverse, with a seemingly endless variety of species. To help our own minds grow and be creative, it’s important to get to know some of the most commonly found creatures that inhabit the world around us, but one creature that is often overlooked isthe butterfly. Butterflies

 

There are many different types of butterfly, and they are one of nature’s favorite creatures because they bring life with them wherever they go—when a butterfly lands in your yard, it means there will be plenty more following soon as they like your space!

 

Butterflies need certain conditionsin order to thrive and live well, including food, water, and a place for them to rest their wings on.

 

Here’s how you can improve your garden to make it more wildlife-friendly.

Step 1: Prepare Your Space

So, you’ve decided to plant some butterfly bushes in your garden and want to create a habitat for this species. Using different materials to section off your garden space is a great idea. You could use eComposite products to create a deck for socializing, and section off a part of your garden space to be designated as a butterfly sanctuary.

Step 2: Mulch the Ground Around Your Plants

Mulch will help keep the ground cool and free of weeds, which can be a foe to butterflies because they hinder their ability to find food.

 

Mulch can be either shredded leaves, straws, or sawdust. (You can also buy mulch products from nurseries.) Cut thicker pieces if you have larger shrubs; shred if you only have smaller plants.

Step 3: Grow Food for Wildlife

Food is the cornerstone of any butterfly’s survival, so make sure to plant a diverse selection of flowers that they can feed on in your garden area. Some types of flowers that attract butterflies include daisies, asters, coneflowers, coreopsis, and calendulas, to name a few.

Step 4: Create a Water Source

Butterflies need water to drink and will use it as needed, which is why you need to make sure your garden area has a water source. You can create this water source with the help of a shallow dish and some permanent markers on sticks around your garden space, which will attract both adult butterflies and caterpillars.

Step 5: Create a Bug Hotel

Butterflies like to nap on soft surfaces, so if you have a patch of ground with bare dirt or sand, you can create the perfect spot for butterflies by watering it daily. This is a great place for them to rest and take care of their wing needs

 

Alternatively, build a butterfly bug hotel to give them somewhere to rest and relax.

Step 6: Plant More Bushes and Flowers

It’s not uncommon for butterflies to have their favorite places in a garden where they like to hang out. If you’ve created special spots for them to live in and find fresh flowers, they likely won’t leave. So, it’s best to plant more bushes and flowers around your butterfly sanctuary so they can fly from one spot to another!

 

Follow these tips and you’re sure to have a wildlife-friendly garden in no time!