AVOID THESE 4 MISTAKES | Butterfly Garden Basics

[@fayprivate7975]

You make very good points but you did not mention the A-one , MOST important thing: PLANT NATIVES! It will bring more pollinators, more bugs that eat destructive pests, more regional butterflies. It will help all wildlife that lives in your area. It will help to bring back balance to your specific ecosystem.

[@timl.b.2095]

Exactly!

[@lizlusher]

For our anniversary last year we put in a butterfly garden in our front yard. Just a little 4ft x 6ft oval between out sidewalk and house. We spent our whole summer through the pandemic watching butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds right outside our window. It was a great experience. We're about to expand it this year. One thing our critters really liked was the cheap little solar fountain float I put in the old bird bath in the middle.

[@WildFloridian]

That is an amazing anniversary present, Liz! 🥰 What an inspiration and joy to watch all those butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. And that is a great idea about the fountain float! You are doing such a wonderful thing to have a dedicated butterfly garden and making it bigger 😊 Best wishes on the expansion

[@kinglyzard]

A good way to attract predators that eat aphids is to plant fennel, dill and other members of the Carrot Family (Apiaceae). The flowers are irresistible to hover flies (Syrphids). The foliage is host to Black Swallowtails. The Syrphid larvae eat aphids and other pests til they're gone. You can also plant Fleabane.

[@denisef1153]

I heard that the poison in the milkweed go into the aphids and the predators stay away from the aphids. I’ll still try your suggestion. Thanks.

[@kinglyzard]

@denisef1153 The predators adapt as well. I've seen Syrphids, Lacewings and Ladybirds clean up a Milkweed in a matter of days.

[@teresaminnick2252]

“Flitting, floating and flying” love that!

[@WildFloridian]

🦋 😄

[@JAPerson34]

We had this area in out backyard where there always seemed to be a butterfly or 2 even though there were no flowers there. We learned that the 2 butterflies that we kept seeing were Zebra Longwing and Gulf Fritillary. This led us to learn what the passion fruit vines were. They grew wild in the shade so never had flowers on them. We removed all non-native plants from this area that were competing against the Passion Fruit Vines. The Passion Fruit Vines flourished as so did the butterflies. We have added Pipevines to this area and allowing some Scrub Palmetto grow. So we see how important the host plants are and are concentrating on these over flowers. Watching your videos to learn more and see what else we should add or do.

[@aprilm9551]

Great video. I'm so glad that you included the use of pesticides as a "don't do" for butterfly or natural gardens. However, in addition to not using pesticides on the plant in the garden, all gardeners need to make sure to not purchase plants that were treated with a neonicotinoid pesticide at the nursery! These pescicides will most certainly kill butterflies and butterfly catepillars, AND the pesticide can stay in the plant for 2 years so will keep killing that whole time. YUCK. The neonicotinoid pesticides are what is called systemic, meaning it is fed to the root of the plant, and then the plant takes it up throughout all the stems, leaves, flowers, everything. Neonicotinoids can be present in pollen and nectar, making them toxic to pollinators that feed on them. So far, only a small portion of nurseries are growing neonicotinoid-free. You have to actually research, in some cases even ask the nursery about it if they don't state it on the web site. Probably most plants sold at big box stores are grown at a nursery that does use neonicotinoids, since that's a very cheap way to grow plants. Note: seeds can also be treated with neonicotinoids! So check on that too before purchasing. And the more inquiries nurseries get about this topic, the more likely they will be to stop using this poison.

[@WildFloridian]

Such a great point @April M!

[@ashleighnelson512]

Like all kids, I loved butterflies. As I've gotten older I find all pollinators to be fascinating 😃💚💙💜

[@benkimhanson1903]

Perfect timing for this video. I am currently covering my front yard in a foot of mulch preparing it for a large butterfly garden, vegetable garden and fruit trees! Love the information you provide.

[@WildFloridian]

Sounds amazing! I’m so excited for you! And in your front yard!!! I love that! I love when people mix it up from the standard grass yard and let neighbors see that other types of gardens can be beautiful too 🌻 Wishing you the best

[@chrisking8699]

Butterfly bushes don’t like mulch as it retains moisture. In fact there are several things to do to move excess water away from them.

[@spankynater4242]

If it’s native in your area, put in the ground cover frog fruit, butterflies love that stuff.

[@AlannaSingsALot]

This might sound weird, but I’d love a tour of your garden! 💜🌻

[@WildFloridian]

Not weird 😄 I only give tours on video or to my neighbors.

[@lyndabrown3402]

Oyster half shells are good to spread around the garden, face up. They become when little cups when it rains or you water.

[@WildFloridian]

That is a great idea!!!! I have tons of beach shells 🐚

[@lyndabrown3402]

I do this, too!

[@KyrenaH]

That's a great idea.

[@kathleentrued9359]

What about mosquitos?

[@alliehamilton-calhoun162]

Awesome idea about putting up structures for the chrysalis to hang on, that never even occurred to me. I also have large, flat rocks for sunning, but they just ignore them & hang out on the flower heads to sun themselves.

[@WildFloridian]

I feel you on this... they hang out on my sweet potato and tomatoes. And I've yet to see them on a rock.

[@spankynater4242]

I once saw some swallowtails chilling out on a tree stump in my backyard, so I built a butterfly garden around it.

[@teddymac3737]

I live in northeast Illinois. I planted common milkweed and swamp milkweed in my yard. The aphids are so bad that my sister and I are planning a new aggressive hands on approach for aphid control namely hand to hand combat. Since we are both retired we are going inspect our plants at dawn and dusk on a daily basis squishing the aphids as we find them. We found the hand to hand combat technique very successful in greatly reducing the milkweed bug population. Your advice never to use insecticide on plants is 100% correct. I will also add never to use home remedy mixes to combat pest. The only solution to an overrun of pests is your suggestion to trim back the infested part of the plant. Thank you for all your hard work making these videos. Take care and have a grrrreat day!!!

[@WildFloridian]

Thank you Teddy! I was born in Illinois. Thank you for taking the time to help our wildlife 😄 Happy Gardening 🌺🌸🌼

[@livingroomzumba]

I find planting marigolds near by helps deter aphids.

[@teddymac3737]

@@livingroomzumba I had a horrible outbreak of oleander aphids on my swamp and common milkweed in 2020. Three houses down my neighbor has a beautiful common milkweed patch with zero aphids. What he does have planted among the common milkweed is sedum. So this year I planted sedum around my milkweed. If that doesn't work I will definitely pant marigolds next year. Thank you for sharing.

[@limitlessends]

You’re excitement for this is catchy!

[@laurenrhoads9712]

I always get excited when you put out a new video. Thank you for educating people about how to do a butterfly garden and how not to make mistakes

[@WildFloridian]

🥰 Thank you Lauren

[@fredalackenspeil9371]

I planted zinnias for the first time last year, thankfully they did amazing. The bonus that I was not expecting was that they attracted tons of butterflies!!

[@cleanandambient4387]

I had an echidna come through my yard one very hot evening, the poor thing needed water and a rest before going on its way. since then it has started my interest in gardening for wildlife, I have blue tongues that have taken residence in my garden since I planted natives and rainbow lorikeets in my trees and no thoughts for butterflies, I have a lot of flowering/tree natives, growing vegies and some flowers, and this weekend I'm adding in a ground-level water feature. I have some good places to accommodate butterflies and I overlooked that they are pollinators as well. This is such a wonderful Idea I hadn't thought of thank you for your share 💞

[@LivingWithEve]

So glad I found your channel. It’s so hard to figure out gardening in Florida. Thanks for the help. We are working on our butterfly garden now.

[@WildFloridian]

I'm so happy you found my channel! Best wishes on your butterfly garden and reach out if you have questions 😄🌺

[@spankynater4242]

I love when passersby or delivery people comment that walking into my yard as like walking into a fairytale.

[@leahunt]

Love the movement lead in 🤩 so true.

[@eddiemartin3381]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge, I'm digging out a kudzu patch in the Ozarks and replanting with butterfly plants and ground covers.

[@WildFloridian]

Wonderful! 😄

[@chrisking8699]

From one invasive to another.

[@eddiemartin3381]

@@chrisking8699 Roman chamomile for erosion help and Partridgeberry mostly, some butterfly flower/ weed and alyssum

[@gaylenehooper4195]

It is October in Las Cruces New Mexico and thanks to you I have butterflies

[@rheagiboney2790]

That’s awesome, so excited to see what you’ve planted for your butterfly garden. I’ve been very busy with gardening here lately. As always great video. Best wishes from your Central Florida neighbor.

[@WildFloridian]

Thank you Rhea 🥰

[@jeffg4686]

A recent plant find for me I thought I'd share is Lovage. It's perennial and black swallowtails and anise swallowtails will host on it. It's also deer resistant, which I need - they get most of mine ... Can plant it around the firebush to save it maybe.

[@WildFloridian]

Ooooo I need to look into that!

[@nataliebradbury2629]

Sounds perfect for me. Thanks for sharing this!

[@thathomesteadfamily5200]

Great points! I don’t plan on a butterfly garden, but we do plan on planting flowers to encourage pollinators. Maybe a few butterflies will stop by. 🦋

[@WildFloridian]

They definitely will! Bees 🐝 and Butterflies 🦋 love many of the same plants

[@spankynater4242]

Just make sure to use native plants. And turning it into a butterfly garden isn’t that difficult, just throw in a couple of fennel’s and some milk weed, and boom, butterfly garden.

[@fignewton0000]

"Why would spend your time on that?" "It's pretty" is pretty much how I would respond too

[@WildFloridian]

LOL! 😂 Yes 🙌

[@jh7910]

Some people are clueless🙄

[@spankynater4242]

It being pretty is just a happy side effect, the main reason is because it’s important.

[@deborahjones6286]

Pondering on making a butterfly garden. Thank you for sharing your knowledge about how to do it making it fun 😊

[@alfredhitchcock1041]

Hybridization is a problem. Nurseries stick a label ATTRACTS BUTTERFLIES on plant, but it turns out the plant doesn’t FEED butterflies, it just attracts them because the plant has been hybridized so much it’s no longer produces nectar (or pollen for bees). Lantana & verbena are an example. Almost no lantana I’ve ever planted had a butterfly on it & only verbena bonariensis attract butterflies. Most lantana & verbena are bred for looks, not for insects. Also, some people think “organic” pesticide means “kills bugs I don’t want but is ok for bugs I want.” Like diatomaceous earth…people thing DE magically kills “bad” bugs without killing bees ir butterflies. Wrong. “All natural” and “organic” doesnt mean “harmless for my bugs.” A neighbor has a lawn service come in and it drench everything with pesticides though a hose. She thought it only killed bugs that made rings in her lawn and ticks. Nah. It kills everything, including lightning bugs. PLUS when you kill lawn bugs, birds can’t feed nestlings. Birds rely on underground bugs like beetles and larvae to feed babies. I watch birds collect bugs from my yard all summer while neighbors yards have no bugs, so they have no birds. At dusk, I watch the lightning bugs come out o& my yard & my bushes, nobody else’s though.

[@spankynater4242]

Exactly, as a rule of thumb, I never hbuy plants that have an additional name in front of the plant’s regular name.

[@monarchresearch7254]

Wild Floridian. . .thank you for sharing this information today. Your presentation was engaging, as if you and I were together having a conversation. I will continue to follow and look at other opportunities, while sharing your site with others. From myself and others here in Iowa, thank you for all you do to make a difference in the lives of butterflies and other pollinators!

[@WildFloridian]

OMG thank you so much for checking out the video and high accolades! Your work is wonderful and I appreciate the efforts you are making for our wonderful monarchs!

[@trailblazer1047]

I used to get lots of Bee's, Hummingbirds, buttf. now it seems they took off down south or up state,nothing until August,by then my Dill is done [for the catip.] used to get hundreds of bees you can hear the Hum. from their wings,i keep trying,my catip. when they become big one day they are all gone,i think its the birds they watch me,I once caught an assasin bug feeding off a catip.once,going to make a puddler for the first time,starting to give up not enough bugs,i had a santuary back here 18 years ago.with trees to,June berries Elderberries,they take over,anyway its fun,and stay in shape.Nice video.

[@sean2val]

nice video thank you I am in Australia and almost no one does this so I am starting a butterfly garden business with plants and services to help people create and maintain a butterfly garden and I see it is a big thing over there in the USA do you think it is a good idea

[@RaetheSaint]

I love these videos 🥰 I just saw my first monarch in my garden today

[@WildFloridian]

Yay!!! I’m so excited for you Rachelle! 🤩 Rock star native gardener

[@kokiflor9930]

I liked, subscribed, and click on the little bell so now let's go get ready!

[@positivelybeautiful1]

Thank you very much for such an informative video. I’m a beginner, and I am trying to do it wisely from the start.

[@WildFloridian]

That is wonderful! I'm glad I could help 🥰

[@shrimptempuraasmr3742]

I appreciated and loved all of the useful information

[@elizabeth-2213]

Sugar water is still good to put out because then you will also attract the hummingbirds & it's the best thing you can give them. Just mix 4 parts water to 1 part cane sugar. Don't use food coloring. They like clear just as much as red.

[@mathieuTME]

Great video! Contact is great and I also love the delivery :)

[@rrman2party]

I swear its like u read my mind! We have alotta butterflies on the property already ( I see several most days, even in the winter, yesterday was 88 degrees here in Jax and I saw three or four) but we want to increase the numbers we see. So I have been planning on installing some host plants for this purpose. I have been letting some of the weeds go to flower because I am not sure if they are hosts or not. Can't wait for the next video in this series!

[@WildFloridian]

😄 I keep hearing that 😄 I swear I’m not psychic. 88 in Jacksonville... whoa! I’m also starting to see the return of butterflies. Good time to get the host plants in! Good call on identifying weeds! Weeds like frog fruit are host to three types of butterflies.

[@rrman2party]

@@WildFloridian I bought wildflower, Butterfly flower, Passion flower and Morning Glory seed yesterday. Some native, some not 🤔. I looking forward to raising a whole bunch of butterflies this year.

[@christophernixon5295]

You have a great way of presenting information.

[@yvettehegler2292]

Extremely helpful stuff

[@jane.c.c]

Thank you for this video.. just what I needed to know! Very informative.. 👍

[@lee3351]

Great share! Nice weather!

[@WildFloridian]

Thank you! 😊

[@estrellacross1139]

My butterflies garden is huge, its lots of work. but they are so beautiful .

[@WildFloridian]

Amazing!

[@smariegalski3641]

Great advice! Thank you.

[@WildFloridian]

You are welcome Marie 😄

[@elh4089]

Thank you for this, it was very helpful ☺️

[@WildFloridian]

You're so welcome! 😄

[@fayescorner4405]

thanks for sharing this topics i love butterflies

[@frankbelt633]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@lucascheirador]

Awesome video, I'm a follower of your channel. Thank you very much

[@EddieVBlueIsland]

Wow a skipper swollow tail I wish we had them up north.

[@shirleywies2782]

Love this thank u. I'm new to this concept, so I grow and sell and share this info for international garden concepts. Thank u

[@WildFloridian]

Wonderful!

[@OriginalMariAnnaWolf]

U can plant things that repeal the pests..

[@arifmohiuddin3349]

Thanks for such a great advice .This information will really help me ☺️

[@WildFloridian]

Yay! 🦋 I’m so happy it will help you 😊

[@davidwelty9763]

Nothing attracts butterflys to your Florida garden like fire bush.

[@RevAcres01]

Great video so much to learn about butterflies. Had issues with my milk weed planted in Dec caterpillars came, ate and the plant turned black and looked completely dead - maybe cut back to the ground see if it sprouts new growth?

[@WildFloridian]

Definitely cut back. Native milk weed goes dormant in the winter and dies back. Non-native milkweed needs to be cut back because it causes issues with monarchs in the winter... I forget what and why... just recall that it may create wider spread of OE in monarchs. Some of my pink swamp milkweed is just starting to sprout some new leaves

[@matthewl5111]

Great video, very thorough !

[@WildFloridian]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tennesseenana4838]

Cilantro and other herbs will deter aphids - just have those herbs in with the butterfly plants. Aphids tend to stay away when those herbs are there.

[@WildFloridian]

That is a great tip Tennessee Nana! A great natural way to keep those pesky aphids away without spraying! Love it! 😊

[@thekindamemoirs2994]

i have mint, yet aphids still go on there 😩

[@tennesseenana4838]

@@thekindamemoirs2994 Different herbs repel different insects. Try planting some garlic or garlic chives, oregano and marigolds.

[@tonnerreeclair]

Pleaaaase do a video on great examples of host plants, flowers and fences for butterfly gardens 🙏🙏🙏

[@WildFloridian]

Check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2O1dX-QpJ11Ztk on host plants and there are more to come 😄

[@juanpinto5743]

I was about to ask about the best host plants but I guess that’s coming in the next videos. Looking forward to it

[@WildFloridian]

I’ll give you some ideas 😉 Milkweed for monarchs, Spicebush for Spicebush swallowtail, and cassia senna for orange bars. Hopefully that will hold you over 😄

[@juanpinto5743]

@@WildFloridian Thank you

[@juanpinto5743]

@@WildFloridian I went to the nursery and asked for milkweed. They immediately said “so you want butterflies right?” And then they said that their milkweed was kind of ugly because the “worms” were eating the leaves. Within 3 days of planting them, we’ve got our first caterpillar. So excited !!!

[@WildFloridian]

🤣 Noooooo… the worms 🐛

[@adee1201]

Hey there , very informative video , keep it up

[@Kevin-Cruz]

Beautiful videos! The passion is real :)

[@WildFloridian]

Thanks Kevin!

[@tanis1111]

Great video. Thanks 😃🦋🐝

[@lotamama3859]

Love your video!!! Thank you!!!!

[@teresaminnick2252]

Parsley dill and rue!

[@WildFloridian]

Yes!!! ❤️🙌

[@catherinatdailey2588]

What a host plant

[@heatherhill333]

Thanks!

[@WildFloridian]

That is so sweet of you Heather!

[@heatherhill333]

@@WildFloridian I'm really glad I came across your videos ☺️

[@Leekle2ManE]

The #1 thing about Butterflies is accepting that plants will get munched. I forget the presenter, Jenny or Ginny, but she related the story of designing a Butterfly Garden for someone and the person got upset that several of her plants were being eaten. The designer told the client those were meant to be eaten by the caterpillars and the customer did not like it. And the thing is, I've heard similar stories of people who want butterflies in their yard/garden, but do NOT want caterpillars munching their plants.

[@rickbailey7183]

I think the most obvious question that people overlook is... why aren't they called 'flutterbys' instead of 'butterflies'?

[@spankynater4242]

It was believed that butterflies stole milk or butter.

[@sixpackyoung9698]

Do you put in the weed blocker fabric before put the mulch?

[@spankynater4242]

You should emphasize the importance of native plants.

[@speakersubject554]

Wild Floridian I was wondering whether you could make a video on Pipevine if you have the vine? Also do you see pipevine swallowtails in your garden?! :)

[@WildFloridian]

Oh I wish I had some and no I haven't seen any pipevine swallowtails in my garden or in the neighborhood. But I will definetly add to the someday list! 😄

[@speakersubject554]

@@WildFloridian Sounds excellent! I can't wait. I have been trying to get more types of butterflies in the garden, as many as you've got in yours hopefully one day. I believe passiflora vines will do the trick, I've got Coral seas, Edulis, and Brighams. Which are know to be red, pink and purple as you know. Thanks so much!

[@oldfarmshow]

❤️👍

[@sandraleamelendez9679]

Loving your videos, so much info. Wondering if Miracle Gro os safe for Monarchs?

[@WildFloridian]

Awww thank you! I've used miracle gro soil around native plants. But not a ton. And I've never added fertilizer to the native plants. So I don't have evidence based opinions. I just know that caterpillars are soft body insects and are the most vulnerable to any chemical. So I would steer clear. Or do a test.

[@sandraleamelendez9679]

@@WildFloridian Cool Thanks so much.

If you get a lot of lady bugs would that help with the affids

[@WildFloridian]

Yes... but if there are only a few aphids, the lady bugs will fly away.

[@sandrabeck8788]

A moth, with pink bands on white wings, laid eggs on a decorative bush in my back yard. I left them alone. They stripped every leaf and killed the bush entirely! It was a very vigorous snow bush ( breynia disticha) with 1 inch trunks, about 4 ft high. Another orange/ black caterpillar eating on notice corky passion flower plants that come up wild everywhere, hurt my dogs, make them foam at the mouth and salivate. Nothing is easy, or very safe, in Florida.

[@sophiaromo3135]

What I've been doing is picking the leaves and moving them to a cup/jar/safer place. I have a lot of spiders around my backyard and so I also have a lot of baby praying mantis. Some eggs have to be left because I can't reach them without harming them. Should I continue to move them or just leave them be and let nature run its course?

[@WildFloridian]

Either is ok. I'm a let nature be. It will even out in the long run. But I don't think there is an issue with giving some of the caterpillars a head start.

[@charliesulfate]

Thank you for the video! Do you have any tips for attracting butterflies away from the vegetables themselves? I am losing so many cabbage family and dill family plants every year. Thank you ✌

[@WildFloridian]

That is a challenge. Butterflies will go to their host plants. I try to do things to attract wasps and birds in my yard and let nature take its course.

[@spankynater4242]

Plant big fennel plants, and lots of them, away from your vegetable garden, that might keep the swallowtails away from your dill.

[@purlofgreatprice1]

I'm sure it's too late to plant flowers for a butterfly garden this year, but could Pawtucket out fruit or something for them now? 🤔

[@AVA-xc7ws]

naming 蝶

[@WildFloridian]

Butterflies 🦋 Butterfly Garden

[@kewizor4342]

Do you have any specific recommendations of stones to use for puddling?

[@WildFloridian]

I do not, other than flat.

[@tracycrider7778]

Flat river rocks work great ❤

[@JanieP53]

Wondering if using a rooting hormone on Milkweed cuttings to start a plant would harm caterpillars the feed on them?

[@faithfulgrandma1062]

I'm in New Mexico and was so happy we started getting monarch butterflies but the Caterpillar ate all my passion flower. That made me sad . I rather have my passion flower vine then butterflies.

[@spankynater4242]

You have it backwards, the whole purpose of having these plans is to support the wildlife. And your thing will grow back.

[@dynamixx150]

yea... we planted about 20 flowering flox plants from home depot, its been two years and pollinators dont touch it. gonna pull them this spring and replace with...what?

[@WildFloridian]

Most pollinators are specialist. So they only use certain flower shapes. If you are in Florida, things like frogfruit grow low or beach Verbena or dune sunflower or native blue porterweed. All are native and all have regular bee and butterfly activity in my garden

[@dynamixx150]

@@WildFloridian thank you for the suggestions!

[@spankynater4242]

@@WildFloridian I have a frog fruit patch in my front yard, the butterflies and bees love it.

[@marinaargueta4928]

Hello does that the ladybug eat butterfly?

[@WildFloridian]

No they don't eat large caterpillars. They might eat tiny caterpillars.

[@benjibumble]

Great vid! Do you have a video on your puddler?

[@spankynater4242]

That’s kind of personal.

[@blossomgurrl356]

How long are Pentas suppose to last? I live in Miami and bought two but they did not last more than a few months. My lantana also did not last long. Milkweed is great, but sadly I can never have enough because there are too many caterpillars.

[@c.a.6249]

What do you do about all the spiders?

[@christ1t-g5e]

0:06 is that an american lady? Beatufiul flowers there

[@seaturtle726]

1:06 I’m just starting to turn my nasty weed (bad ones) infested lawn into wildlife, pollinating, pouches. I am in Vero Beach and already my “Florida” tomatoes are suffering from the abnormal heat. Is there ANYTHING veg and plant wise that can handle our heat?

[@nadiamatejek5121]

Need some help. Recently bought 2 small rue plants. Swallowtails have already laid a lot of eggs on them and I am afraid the plants are too small to support all those caterpillars when they hatch. What can I do to help them can I buy anything to feed them like parsley, carrot tops etc. from the frozen store? Do you have any suggestions? Thank you

[@spankynater4242]

Go to your local nursery and buy whatever fennel plants you can and plant them in your yard.

[@piotree53]

How do you protect them from birds eating them

[@WildFloridian]

I don't. The birds eat some of the butterflies and caterpillars. And that is ok. I try to focus on increasing the population and variety. And I'm trying to help the birds too with the projects I do.

[@spankynater4242]

You don’t, that’s just nature.

[@trixie1636]

What plants do you have there behind you?

[@dellerwin1]

Good information, but sometimes difficult to understand voice. Good to have captions. When she drops her voice, difficult to understand. Working on diction, speech would be very helpful.

[@WildFloridian]

Sorry about that. Glad you like the info 😄

[@dumplingsfordays2980]

so theres two weeds that grow in my backyard that butterflies like 1 frogfruit 2 bidens somethi ng

[@WildFloridian]

Yay! Both great plants.... probably bidens alba (Florida) or bidens pilosa depending if you live outside of Florida.

[@spankynater4242]

It’s only a weed if you don’t want it there. Frog fruit is great for butterflies, I deliberately planted some in my front yard.

[@dumplingsfordays2980]

@@spankynater4242 i said weeds because i originally thought they were weeds before I watched this video

[@spankynater4242]

@@dumplingsfordays2980 I had the same issue with the horse herb that was growing in my backyard, I thought it was a weed and tried to eradicate it until I found out that pollinators love the little yellow daisy like flowers. I think it’s also called a sprawling daisy.

[@danfridenstine5751]

Walk around. Where are the flowers?

[@WildFloridian]

Check this video and you will see lots of flowers kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4DbaYN_jrGkn7s

[@asiawill12]

What do you all do when the birds keep eating your caterpillars?

[@Wofford1985]

She thinks she knows everything. AND I AGREE!

[@heatherhill333]

What do I do about carpenter ants? They are near my garden.

[@WildFloridian]

This was an interesting question to research. There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between Florida carpenter ants and caterpillar. Check out this article: entomologytoday.org/2022/12/15/miami-blue-butterfly-caterpillars-sugary-treats-earn-florida-carpenter-ant-care/

[@heatherhill333]

@@WildFloridian nature is just going to take it's course. I'll have less veggies in my garden this year. Aphids were bad

[@gg-gn3re]

weeds aren't weeds, they're native plants.. for the native bugs.

[@ronhouser9175]

Good information but you did not mention that almost all host plants for butterflies are native plants. If you really want to help wildlife, native insects and birds, please recommend people plant at least 75% native plants. Invasive plants like the lantana you show do attract butterflies but they can spread to natural areas by seeds and they are hard to kill.

[@spankynater4242]

Exactly, I left the same comment here in a few places.

[@jacquelinelee9510]

Please talk more slowly. When someone is trying to learn something new they need to hear distinctly. When you talk so fast, it's hard to catch all of what you say. Thank you!

[@spankynater4242]

It would probably just be easier if you paused and went back a little bit whenever you needed to.

[@AM-yc5tf]

You can slow the speed by changing it in the upper right corner by choosing the gear.

[@debandgigi]

What is your advice about using Miracle Grow?

[@WildFloridian]

I use Miracle Grow bag soil and don't have an issue with it. Miracle Grow has a range of products so it depends on which product.