The Hungry Caterpillar

Spring brings the beauty of butterflies floating gracefully through the garden, as well as chubby caterpillars crawling through the garden. Despite their destruction, we recognize their rightful place in the ecosystem. We utilize diverse plantings spread throughout the garden to hopefully ensure enough left for us after the caterpillars have their share. As well, keeping the plants healthy with plenty of compost allows them to outgrow any damage.

An exciting find was to spot monarch caterpillars on our newly planted milkweed. Even though it hasn't flowered yet, the foliage is a necessary food source for these brightly patterned insects.

We also lure beneficial insects that will help us organically control pest insect populations by providing food sources such as our winter ground cover, hairy vetch, that provides spring flowers, as well as letting our cilantro bolt and flower.

Hairy Vetch

Cilantro