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Backyard Butterfly Garden Challenge

You don't need a big yard or a garden budget to attract butterflies — just a sunny patch, a few native flowers, and a bit of patience.

Getting seeds cheap

• Local agricultural extension offices often give away native wildflower seed for free.
• Ask neighbors with established gardens for seed heads at the end of summer.
• Milkweed, coneflower, and zinnia are reliable, budget-friendly starters.

Setting it up

• Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun.
• Clear a small patch and scatter seed according to the packet spacing.
• Add a shallow dish of wet sand for butterflies to "puddle" at.

The nature journal

• Have kids sketch each visitor and note the date and color.
• Look up unfamiliar species together online or at the library.