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The Master Gardener

3 min read
Monarch

Attracting birds and butterflies to your garden is such a wonderful way to enjoy nature, and most importantly, they are pollinators that help with reproduction of our flowering plants. Learning what is necessary to attract them to your garden takes some thought and planning.

Let’s start with attracting birds. In our region, we have many beautiful birds to attract into our gardens – bluebirds, white-breasted nuthatches, cardinals, American goldfinches, robins, black-capped chickadees, blue jays, tufted titmice, hummingbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers and downy woodpeckers, just to name a few. Placing different kinds of feeders in your yard – such as hanging feeders, suet feeders or low platform feeders – will bring many different kinds of birds into your garden.

Planting trees, bushes and flowers that produce berries, seeds, nuts and fruits help feed the birds, but also provide shelter for the elements and a place to build their nests. Also, hanging a couple of bird boxes around your garden will give the birds more places to raise their young. A source of water is another essential need for birds, so providing a bird bath, pond or fountain will give them a place to drink and bathe.

Now, for attracting butterflies, they primarily need the same three essentials as the birds: food, shelter and water. A few of the beautiful butterflies in our region are the American lady butterfly, black swallowtail, cabbage white butterfly, common buckeye butterfly, monarch butterfly, and so many more.

Nectar plants such as wild geranium, coneflower, bee balm, butterfly bush or asters help supply food for butterflies, as will putting out some overripe fruit. Butterflies need water with minerals and salts from damp spots on the ground, or by filling a small shallow container with mud and keeping it moist, which will help provide a place for the butterflies to drop by for a drink. Butterflies like to rest on rocks to help them warm up on cold damp mornings, so be sure to plan a few rocks throughout your garden.

Purchasing a butterfly box and placing it in your garden will help provide some added shelter from the elements and predators. The habitats we provide for the birds are also beneficial for the butterflies, moths and bees.

One important factor when attracting birds and butterflies to your gardens is to avoid using pesticides and herbicides so the birds and butterflies can survive. Now let’s get started by making a garden journal with the necessary trees, plants, flowers, water sources, bird feeders and butterfly boxes so you can have a great backyard full of nature to enjoy. Then sit back and enjoy the sweet songs of the birds and beautiful butterflies as they fly from flower to flower.

Learning with Gardening partners programs

Fairy Garden 101, presented by Betty Robison, owner of Robison Acres, 6 p.m. June 20. Enjoy creating a Fairy Garden in your own backyard.

Attracting Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden, 2 p.m. July 14. Learn the different kinds of plants that attract birds and butterflies to your garden and other helpful hints.

Growing Lavender and Its Uses, 2 p.m. Aug. 25. Come learn the many uses of lavender.

All classes will be held at the Premier Washington Health Center, 36 Old Hickory Ridge Road, Washington. If you’d like to attend any of the free classes, call the Penn State Extension Office at 724-228-6881.

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