Plant It and the Butterflies will Come

Before the meeting: 

1. Become familiar with planting in your area by visiting the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.  
2. Identify an area where plants can be planted and get permission to do so.  Consider the following; 
   • Local Scout camp or service center 
   • A local park or city building 
   • School 
   • Chartered partner 
3. Secure native plants that attract butterflies. 
4. Once the location is secure, provide address and directions to the adult partners in the den. 
5. Remind everyone to bring clothes that can get dirty and appropriate footwear. 
6. Remind everyone to bring their Cub Scout Six Essentials and work gloves. 

During the meeting 

1. Gather the Cub Scouts and share with them that the plant you are planting will help attract butterflies and other insects that help keep plants healthy.  Butterflies, bees, and other insects are known as pollinators.  Pollinators feed off the flowers and as they do so pollen sticks to them, and they carry it to other flowers that helps the flowers grow.  
2. Gather the den and demonstrate the proper way to plant. 
   • Loosen the soil from 12 to 15 inches deep and mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. 
   • Dig a hole twice the diameter of the plant container. 
   • When placing the plant in the hole, the top of the root ball should be level with the soil surface. Gently backfill the hole around the root ball. Firm the soil. 
3. Water thoroughly. 
4. Show the Cub Scouts and adult partners where they can plan the seedlings. 
5. Plant the native plants to attract butterflies. 
6. Clean up.