Butterfly Gardens

IF YOU PLANT IT...THEY WILL COME!

Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp,

but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

What’s more whimsical and carefree than a butterfly flitting about? Growing plants for nectar is only half the story. You’ll also need plants for egg laying!

Help protect the environment by gardening for nature! Create a butterfly garden and share nature with family, friends and neighbors.

Butterflies love chaos…loosen up…accept a bit of disarray and the results will be rewarding! Practice WILDSCAPING! This often means spending less time maintaining, leaving more time for enjoying your garden!

PLANNING THE SCHOOL GARDEN

Dream BIG…Start Small…THINK PHASES

A school garden is not likely to last or be fully used without broad support from the school community. So the first job of someone wishing to start a garden is to gather support. To do this, you need a plan!

Step 1: Develop the Garden Concept or Theme (e.g. nature-pollinators, water-wise, sensory, fruits & vegetables, or some of each!)

Step 2: Identify Leadership/Support & Seek Administrative Approval (identify a local garden club to partner with parents, key teachers-early adopters, principal, & PTA)

Step 3: Propose Site Options (adopt an existing area or create a new one – obtain district approval; design it with proximity to classrooms; access to irrigation either auto or hand, be realistic!)