Chicken Coop Plans

Butterflies are beautiful additions to any backyard. I make sure to plant things in my garden to attract lots of butterflies each spring. In order to do this, its important to plant a mix of nectar plants that adult butterflies love - to entice them to hang around and lay their eggs, as well as food or host plants for the caterpillars that hatch - to provide them energy and nutrition as they grow and eventually become butterflies themselves. 

Butterflies can actually see more colors than humans can. They are particularly attracted to red, orange and yellow, pink and purple flowers. Plants that attract butterflies are often the same ones that attract hummingbirds and bees, so there are multiple benefits to this type of garden. And the thing that makes my version even more special is that all the plants are not only edible for humans, but your chickens will enjoy health benefits from eating them as well! There are lots of plants that butterflies love that arent edible, including butterfly bush, milkweed and others, but by planting edible plants, we can all share in the bounty!

Butterflies love sunlight, so you will want to pick a sunny spot for your butterfly garden. Stones in the garden provide a nice, warm place for the butterflies to land and sunbathe, as well as add visual interest to your garden. Its not necessary to provide a water source, but a small bird bath makes a pretty addition to any garden and the butterflies and bees will appreciate it as well as the song birds.

These are some of my favorites to plant in my Butterfly Garden. They are all edible for humans and are a nutritious addition to your chickens diet as well. Letting your herbs go to flower will help to attract the butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Try planting some of these plants in your garden this spring and see if you can attract some butterflies. And remember, dont use pesticides ... the butterflies dont like them  - and theyre not good for your family or chickens either!

Read here for a list of the health benefits of the common culinary herbs.