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🩋 Host Plants: Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Butterflies

The Backyard Naturalists

Release Date: 05/10/2025

What’s Happening in Your Habitat show art What’s Happening in Your Habitat

The Backyard Naturalists

Spring is finally making itself known, and that means our backyard habitats are changing fast. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie talk about what listeners may be seeing, hearing, and experiencing in their own outdoor spaces — from nesting bluebirds, Carolina wrens, catbirds, frogs, butterflies, lizards, bats, possums, raccoons, snakes, deer, and even coyotes. Whether your habitat is an apartment balcony, suburban yard, garden, greenway, or several acres of land, this episode is a reminder that every space can support wildlife in meaningful ways. The conversation...

info_outline Barred Owls — Silent Flight, Big Personalities, and Backyard Nesting show art Barred Owls — Silent Flight, Big Personalities, and Backyard Nesting

The Backyard Naturalists

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne take us into the fascinating world of barred owls, inspired by a local owl box success story just in time for Earth Day. From the excitement of watching young owlets leave the nest to the unmistakable “who cooks for you?” presence of barred owls in the Carolinas, this conversation explores how these remarkable birds live, hunt, nest, and raise their young in our neighborhoods and natural spaces. Debbie and Laurie discuss what makes barred owls such efficient hunters, including their almost silent flight, incredible...

info_outline Tadpoles, Horse Troughs, and Backyard Habitats show art Tadpoles, Horse Troughs, and Backyard Habitats

The Backyard Naturalists

What do you do when tadpoles take over a horse trough? In this fun and wide-ranging episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris dive into the fascinating world of tadpoles after a listener from California asks how to handle an unexpected amphibian boom in her horses’ water troughs. Along the way, the conversation explores why frogs choose certain places to lay eggs, what tadpoles need to survive, and how understanding wildlife habitat — food, water, shelter, and places to raise young, can help explain nature’s behavior right in your own backyard. Listeners will also...

info_outline Celebrating Earth Day the Backyard Naturalists Way show art Celebrating Earth Day the Backyard Naturalists Way

The Backyard Naturalists

In this special Earth Day episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris celebrate Earth Day 2026 by exploring the history behind this global movement and sharing practical, everyday ways listeners can make a real difference for the planet. From the surprising origins of Earth Day in 1970 to the staggering number of people who now participate around the world, this episode is packed with inspiration, useful resources, and plenty of the lively conversation listeners love. The trio highlights simple but meaningful actions you can take right now — from skipping plastic bags and...

info_outline How Big Is It? Part 2: Nature’s Biggest and Boldest Creatures show art How Big Is It? Part 2: Nature’s Biggest and Boldest Creatures

The Backyard Naturalists

In this fun and fast-moving second installment of “How Big Is It?”, Debbie and Laurie explore some of the biggest creatures in the natural world—from the world’s largest vulture and giant hummingbird to the Komodo dragon, Goliath frog, capybara, and even a massive Australian sea snail. Along the way, they share surprising facts about size, habitat, diet, and behavior, with plenty of laughter and off-the-cuff conversation that makes this episode feel like you’re sitting right at the kitchen table with them. Listeners will come away with a new appreciation for the incredible diversity...

info_outline Encore Episode: Spring Weeds, Pests, and Planet-Friendly Solutions show art Encore Episode: Spring Weeds, Pests, and Planet-Friendly Solutions

The Backyard Naturalists

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re bringing back a timely favorite from last spring as an encore presentation packed with practical, eco-friendly garden advice. Debbie and Laurie revisit smart, natural solutions for some of the season’s most common backyard headaches, including weeds, garden pests, and unwanted plant invaders. From weed control methods like solarization and hand-pulling to chemical-free pest strategies using neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and even beer traps, this episode is full of easy, earth-friendly ideas for a healthier yard and garden. You’ll also hear...

info_outline What’s It Called? Animal Homes from Nests to Dens show art What’s It Called? Animal Homes from Nests to Dens

The Backyard Naturalists

What do you call the place an animal lives? In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie dive into the surprisingly fascinating world of animal homes. From bird nests and squirrel dreys to eagle aeries, bobcat dens, bird rookeries, and bee hives, they explore the wide variety of places wildlife builds, borrows, and calls home. Along the way, they share fun facts about everything from turtles, termites, and raccoons to alligators, snakes, wolves, and even octopuses. As always, the conversation is lively, curious, and full of the kind of nature trivia that makes you look at the...

info_outline Use It Up: Project Pan and Mindful Consumption show art Use It Up: Project Pan and Mindful Consumption

The Backyard Naturalists

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a fresh look at Project Pan, a social media trend encouraging people to use up every last bit of the products they already own before buying more. What starts with makeup and toiletries opens into a bigger conversation about mindful consumption, reducing waste, saving money, and making more environmentally responsible choices in everyday life. From cleaning supplies and pantry items to clothing and online shopping habits, this episode explores simple ways to cut back on excess and rethink what we bring into our homes. Along...

info_outline Encore: Spring Yard Cleanup That Helps Birds and Pollinators show art Encore: Spring Yard Cleanup That Helps Birds and Pollinators

The Backyard Naturalists

In this popular encore episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie team up with Chris to tackle a timely spring topic: how to clean up your yard in ways that support birds, pollinators, and other backyard wildlife. From scrubbing bird feeders and bird baths to preparing bird houses for nesting season, they share practical, easy-to-follow tips for creating a healthier habitat just as migration and breeding season begin. Along the way, they explain why fresh water, mealworms, suet, and properly placed nesting boxes can make a big difference for the wildlife that depends on your yard....

info_outline Feathers, Flurries, and the Biggest Animals on Earth show art Feathers, Flurries, and the Biggest Animals on Earth

The Backyard Naturalists

  This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris talk birds, snow, and some seriously giant wildlife. After sharing observations from the Great Backyard Bird Count and recent winter weather in the Carolinas, the conversation turns to a big topic, literally. From blue whales and African elephants to ostriches, whale sharks, ravens, and giant owls, the team explores some of the largest creatures on Earth with plenty of laughs and wow-worthy facts along the way. It’s a lighthearted, fascinating episode that blends birdwatching, backyard nature, and wildlife trivia...

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More Episodes

Want to welcome butterflies to your yard and help them thrive? This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie dig into the magical role of host plants—the essential “nurseries” for butterflies and other pollinators. 🌿🩋🐛

While nectar plants might get all the glory, host plants are where the real action happens: eggs are laid, caterpillars feed, and life cycles begin. This episode is your go-to guide for making your yard more butterfly-friendly—from milkweed to magnolia.

With personal stories, practical tips, and plenty of plant inspiration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants their garden to be more than just beautiful—it can be a lifeline for native species.

đŸŒŒ In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • ✅ What host plants are and why they’re essential for butterfly reproduction

  • ✅ Native plant heroes like milkweed (monarchs!), fennel, violets, buttonbush & more

  • ✅ Why plant damage is a good thing (yes, chew marks mean caterpillars are thriving!)

  • ✅ How to support butterflies even in small spaces with containers and pots

  • ✅ Where to research region-specific host plants for your backyard

You’ll also get great resources like plantnative.com and gardendesign.com to start your pollinator-friendly garden journey.

đŸŒ» Got caterpillars? Snap a pic and send it our way—we’d love to share your backyard wildlife success!