Believe it or not, butterflies like to drink minerals and water from mud puddles! And it's easy for children to create a "puddling pond" custom-made for these winged wonders.
First, choose one of the sunniest spots in your garden for your puddling pond. Butterflies need the warmth of the sun to keep their wings in good flying condition.
If there are cats or dogs patrolling your garden, make sure the "pond" is off the ground. Place a large plant saucer on an old tree stump or drill holes in the edge and hang from a strong tree limb. Then fill it with garden soil and add water until it is the consistency of a mud puddle.
If cats or dogs do not patrol your garden, you can simply dig a wide, shallow hole, and place a large plant saucer inside or line with a heavy piece of plastic. Fill it with the soil that was dug from the hole, and add water. Voila- instant mud puddle!
Place a few large rocks around the edge of the saucer or hole for butterflies to rest on while warming their wings. Add more water as needed, especially during the hottest days of summer.
A handmade sign lets inquisitive human visitors know why you have a year-round mud puddle in your garden!
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