Gardening Guides by Publish Date:
Practical Guides & Getting Started:
Practical guidance for building and maintaining gardens.
Practical guidance for building and maintaining butterfly gardens, including planting, timing, seed starting, and early decisions that shape long-term outcomes.
Practical guidance for building and maintaining butterfly gardens, including planting, timing, seed starting, and early decisions that shape long-term outcomes.
Host plants, nectar, and simple habitat structure.
Butterflies, Habitat, & Life Cycles:
Butterfly life cycles, host & nectar plants, habitat structure, and how butterflies use gardens throughout the seasons.
Gardening in Texas Heat (Zone 8):
Planting guidance & seasonal strategies for gardening in Texas heat, including region-appropriate plant choices.
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Free Butterfly Garden Cheat Sheet
A quick reference to the basic elements of a butterfly garden.
Free
New Guide: Butterfly Gardens That Work in Texas Heat
A practical guide to building butterfly gardens that remain resilient through drought, heat, seasonal change, and long-term establishment. Available as PDF download.
Monarch Migration Tracker
Click the map below to track the current Monarch Butterfly Migration on the official USFWS website.
Find My Planting Zone
Click the map below to find your Plant Hardiness Zone on the official USDA website.
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How to Prepare Butterfly Gardens for Extreme Texas Heat (Before It Starts)
Extreme summer heat poses significant challenges for butterfly gardens in Texas, manifesting through stressed plants and decreased butterfly activity. While increased watering is a common response, effective summer preparation requires proactive measures taken in late spring. This includes applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and encourage deeper root growth through…
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Which Plants Carry a Butterfly Garden Through Summer
Texas butterfly gardens undergo significant changes from spring to summer, affecting plant performance and butterfly activity. As temperatures rise, some plants fade while heat-tolerant species thrive, revealing which plants are adaptable and essential for supporting butterflies during the summer months. Key plants like Salvia greggii, Lantana, Frogfruit, and Gaillardia continue to provide reliable nectar, shelter,…
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Why More Water Doesn’t Fix Heat Stress in Texas Gardens
In Texas, sudden and prolonged heat impacts gardens, causing plants to experience heat stress rather than drought stress. While some gardeners instinctively water more, this can exacerbate issues like oxygen deprivation and root rot. Heat stress occurs when plants cannot manage temperature and moisture effectively, even if soil moisture is present. Essential strategies for assisting…