We love butterflies here at Back Home on the Farm. In addition to being absolutely beautiful and helping us with our gardening efforts, they have several other really cool characteristics.

Transparent Wings
Did you know that butterflies have transparent wings? They are covered in thousands of itty, bitty scales that reflect light in different colors. The butterfly’s actual wing is formed by layers of chitin, a protein that makes up an insect’s exoskeleton. The wings are so thin, you can see right through them. The colorful scales fall off as a butterfly ages, leaving transparent spots of the chitin layer.

Taste Buds in the Feet
Butterflies have taste receptors in their feed to help them find food. These receptors also help them select which plants to munch from. Female butterflies land on different plants and moves the leaves with her feet until the plant’s juices are released. Her legs have spines on them that help her detect plants that have the right kind of chemicals needed for her to lay her eggs.

No Solids
Butterflies live in on an all-liquid diet, primarily nectar. They can’t chew solids, but their mouths are able to drink. A straw-like feature called a proboscis stays curled up under a butterfly’s chin until they find nectar and are ready to drink. 

Minerals Required
In addition to nectar, butterflies require minerals to live. More often than not, butterflies will drink from mud puddles to obtain these nutrients. This is more common in the male butterflies as they incorporate the minerals into their sperm which is transferred to the female during mating. These minerals help the female butterfly improve the viability of her eggs.

Can’t Fly in the Cold
Butterflies need to have a temperature of 85 degrees if they are going to fly. Butterflies are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their body temperatures. If the surrounding temperature falls below 55 degrees, butterflies can’t fly which makes them susceptible to predators.

Come see us here at the farm this Summer. We’ve got all kinds of fun attractions including our popular butterfly house!

You’ve planted your tomatoes and are eagerly waiting to see them grow so you can add them to salads, burgers, and other tasty dishes. To ensure you get the best fruit, follow these tomato watering tips.

In the Garden
Early in the growing season, you’ll want to water your tomato plants early in the morning. As the summer temperatures increase, you may want to water your plants twice a day. Tomatoes planted in the garden generally need 1 – 2 inches of water a week.

In Containers
Tomatoes that are planted in containers need more than those planted in the garden. Water evaporates a lot faster in containers as the soil heats up. A good rule of thumb for container tomatoes is to water them until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. As with garden tomatoes, it’s better to water the plants early in the morning. If the soil feels dry about an inch below the surface, water that bad boy again.

Mulch It Up
Adding a layer of organic mulch can also help reduce evaporation. This will keep the water where it’s needed which is keeping your maters nice and hydrated.

Visit our blog for some more plant tips and tricks!

Air plants are becoming more popular than ever and with good reason. There are several species of air plants that are very low maintenance. Also, they are super cool to look at! There are lots of ways to display your air plants from small rocks and sticks to unique frames. Another really cool option is to create a living wall.

You’ll need:

A selection of small air plants
Small adhesive hooks
Copper hobby wire

To make:

Using a wine bottle (or bottle of similar shape), wind the wire around the neck of the bottle to create an elongated cone shape. Create a loop at the top of the wire for hanging. After that, simply adhere your hooks, place your plants in the wire holders, hang and enjoy!

Visit our blog for more tips on air plant care!

Nothing can ruin a fun summer night like getting bitten by skeeters. Try this all-natural bug spray recipe. All you need is a few fresh herbs from the garden and a few regular items from the pantry.

What you’ll need:

2 tbsp fresh mint (either spearmint or peppermint will work)
6 tbsp fresh herbs (catnip, citronella, lavender, etc.) finely chopped
1 cup distilled water (make your own by boiling and cooling tap water)
1 cup witch hazel, rubbing alcohol, or vodka
Glass spray bottle (stores better than plastic)

To make:

Bring one cup of distilled water to a boil in a saucepan. Add your fresh herbs to the pan. Cover the pot and remove from heat to let the mixture cool completely. When cool, strain your herbs using cheesecloth or a mesh strainer. Add 1 cup of witch hazel, alcohol, or vodka to your herb-infused water. Put the mixture into your glass spray bottle and store in the fridge. Use as needed to prevent mosquito bites.

Visit us on Pinterest for some more great herb uses.

Come visit us this Summer at the farm! We have 30+ family-friendly activities, adorable farm animals, and lots of tasty things to eat.