Why Fruit Trees and Butterfly Gardens together?
Fruit trees require some basic care and water for their first two years as they become established into the garden. They will then gradually increase production over several years, for decades to come. In order to assure the “gardeners” keep an interest when the trees are not producing we simultaneously plant butterfly gardens. The beauty of the flowers and wonder of insect interactions keep everyone interested and active until the trees begin to produce. Then it becomes more of a productive ecosystem we can add perennials and other plants to in time, we work our way into a food forest over years. It can easily be done using small steps that we can take one at a time, and if done well we never plant a garden who’s needs out way our gardeners ability to care for or interest, assuring their productivity and sustainability. With a sustainability plan we grow into a food forest rather than an orchard or grass yard with a tree! Planting the right tree in the right location is very important
