Beargrass Thunder was beyond excited to return to Idlewild Butterfly Farm in Shelby Park, Louisville. When we were there last in August 2019, we were treated to a full tour and got to make many insect friends. This time, we learn about insects we can find in our own yard around this time of year, as well as gardening tips on how to best support our local ecosystem!
Our friend Rachel Barger, the Lab Manager at Idlewild Butterfly Farm was kind enough to take some time out of their day to show and teach us about some of the insects and their cocoons, chrysalis, pupa, and egg sacs we can find around our own yard! Moths, Butterflies, Spiders, and even Mantids can all be found on plants, trees, and even man-made structures like fences and garbage cans. Keep a look out for these critters if you're doing your spring cleaning!
Learn about some common plants you can include in your garden to help pollinating insects such as Parsley, Dill, and Phenel. Many of these serve as "host plants" of native species of butterflies who depend on these plants. It's important to garden not just for people, but for pollinators and pets as well! We can all do our part to help and protect our ecosystem.
Watch this video to learn more about Idlewild Butterfly Farm and what to expect from them throughout 2021. (shout-out to our intern, Cosmo Rudd, for putting this video together!)
Idlewild Butterfly Farm raises butterflies for special events and educational projects. They also sell an expertly tailored selection of seeds and plants for people to support biodiversity in their gardens. In 2021 they will have more fruit and veggie seeds & plants as well as native wildflowers than ever before! Don't forget about their online workshops, where you can learn about native bees & insects that will be visiting your yard, or how to turn lawns or unused urban space into habitat for pollinators and wildlife!
The Idlewild Gift Shop is currently fully online for curbside pickup or US shipping including seed and plant pre-orders! Head on over to www.idlewildbutterflyfarm.com to see everything they have, and don't forget to subscribe to their e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on news & offers!
And if you missed it, check out our first time at Idlewild Butterfly Farm back in 2019, where we got to meet and learn about, and even pet all kinds of different bugs, spiders, and insects!
Thanks again to Idlewild Butterfly Farm for having us out. Please support one of Beargrass Thunder's favorite local Louisville businesses!
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