Process
There are 6 steps for you to follow. Before you begin each new step, go to Evaluation. There you will find exactly what you will be graded on.
1. Form a group
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Because you're trying to identify 8 to 12 different species for your butterfly garden, this task can easily be accomplished by dividing up the number of species between multiple groups.
Click here to get some ideas on how to break up into groups. Make individual folders to store your work. |
2. Determine Species
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To get an idea of which months butterflies have been seen (recorded) in the past, print out the Checklist of Ohio's Butterflies and Skippers. (This file can also be found on the Ohio Lepidopterists Long-term Monitoring of Butterflies website.
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3. Determine plants needed for garden (both host and nectar-producing)
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Click here to print out a worksheet to use to record information about your plants. Use the provided Resources to determine which plants are needed for your species. Be sure to list all of the plants that you find and when they bloom. Other groups may have some of the same plants listed. When designing your garden make sure you have plants that bloom in the spring, summer and fall.
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4. Compare your research with the other groups and decide on 8 to 12 species and corresponding plants to put in your garden.
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Make sure you have one to two species for each month of April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Also make sure you have plants in your design that bloom during these months.
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5. Design your butterfly garden.
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Not only do butterfly gardens need plants, but they also need shelter, water, sunning spots, and high & low spots. Your butterfly garden should incorporate all of these elements. When designing your garden, remember to place shorter plants in the front. Click here to see an example of a plan. Be sure to check out the Resources for other ideas and guidance.
Select an "artist" to draw the decided-on design. |
6. Evaluation
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