Creating a butterfly puddle as seen in the wild.

Happy Labor Day folks! I'd like to find out how we make a butterfly puddle from early spring into early fall. I wanna make the one similar to what we see in the wild. What type of soil should we use as well as sand and stuff. I wanna make my puddle larger, larger than the normal pond size ones. I know we need sand, soil, salt and a liner to draw more butterflies, but what about water for moisture? I wanna make mine long lasting into autumn. Please reach me if you need me. Take care!

i suspect one of the primary things that draws butterflies to puddles is some amount of salt or other minerals - whether it’s salt from treating roads or some more natural source. they need just a little bit and it’s easier for them to get when it’s in solution on damp ground. i don’t think you’d want much mulch or organic matter, where i see butterflies congregating at puddles it’s generally bare mineral soil/dirt.

I like this idea.

My suggestion would be to start with clay so that the puddle will not drain.  Once the puddle shows signs of holding water a layer of sand might help keep the water clear.

Every so often add a pinch of salt to the puddle.

I hope you will let us know how this project turns out.

Greetings all! Appreciate your visit to this forum. Could some of us begin with a pond liner after digging the depth and width of the hole? Do pond liners hold the moisture in the sand and soil to last into fall? Which types of salt should we avoid to prevent the soil and sand from being too acidic and being unsuitable for butterflies?