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with monarchs in mind A sign in Susan Reagan's yard describes the purpose of her garden. For three years, Susan and husband, Chris, have been turn- ing their small plot in southeastern Virginia into a butterfly haven that's now a certified Monarch Waystation and the small sign indicates all the pieces are in place. The site features milkweed, nectar sources and shelter needed to sustain monarch butterflies as they migrate through North America; offi- cial certification comes from the non- profit Monarch Watch — www.Monarch- watch.org/waysta- tions. been interested in but- terfly conservation, and while I was a science teacher, I par- ticipated in several professional development courses on raising butterflies and using them in the classroom," Susan says. "I have always Butterfly garden designed Country Lifehome Grill Buying Guide garden activities I love: eating and socializing. The variety of grills boggles the mind, so here's what to look for when shopping for a grill. Size Grilling blends two Before you fire up the grill, consider your audi- ence. Are you a habitual host addicted to entertaining large groups? Or do you generally host a few close friends? Fuel MCT photo A swallowtail caterpillar will soon hatch into a beautiful butterfly in Susan Reagan's garden in Historic Hilton Vil- lage in Newport News,Va. It seems this question has been burning for as long as grills have been cooking. The usual fuel suspects are: • Charcoal: For the most basic grills. Heating the coals burns time that you could otherwise actually be grilling. & • Liquid propane: Proba- bly the most common type of fuel. Lighters and igniters are integrated into the grill for quick lighting and ease of use. Then, monarchs — and other butterflies — need nectar plants, including annuals and perennials: lantana, Mexican sunflower, zinnia, dianthus, bee balm, black-eyed Susan, goldenrod, coreopsis, purple coneflower, sedum and Joe- pye weed. Protective shelter for the monarchs is provided by plac- ing plants close together. "Monarchs need our help. In the fall, hundreds of mil- lions of monarch butterflies migrate from the United States and Canada to areas in Mexico and California where they wait out winter until spring. Monarch migration is one of the world's greatest natural wonders. Unfortunately monarch populations are decreasing." Her Monarch Waystation requires three major elements. First, host plants such as milkweed are planted everywhere so the caterpillars that turn into majestic monarchs have plenty of food to consume. The waystation website states there should be at least 10 plants representing several types of milkweed. • Electric: Plug into a nearby out- let, and you won't have to run to the store to stock up on extra fuel. Powered by an infrared gas burn- er that converts propane or natural gas into infrared radiation. It cre- ates heat that can be several hun- dred degrees hot- ter than a standard gas grill. • Infrared: bly the most important con- sideration next to fuel type. And the adage "You get what you pay for" has never Construction This is proba- Grapefruit loved by birds and butterflies been truer. Sean Murphy Project Home Look for marks of high- quality construction (weld- ed joints, stain- less steel con- struction and a full axle for the wheels) over other options (cast aluminum construction, steel that's paint- ed and connect- ed by nuts and bolts, and wheels bolted to the frame). Trust your gut when it comes to con- struction quality. Essentials you'll want to stick with superior burners: High- quality stainless steel, cast iron (amazing for retaining and extras With any kind of grill, heat) or cast brass works best, and often carry a long- term warranty. The grate you choose is also essential to your grill's success. Cast iron and stain- less steel are the most durable, reliable and rust- resistant grates. Also, bars placed closer together sear meat more thoroughly than those spaced wider apart. Side burners are handy for cooking up side dishes or just keeping things warm. tive to a traditional grill that's starting to gain popu- larity. Instead of charcoal or a fuel ignited by the push of a button, smokers use burn- ing wood to cook the food. The smoke actually does the cooking, and in addition to providing that trademark smoky aroma and taste, many feel it's a healthier A smoker is an alterna- way to grill. But since the smoke does all of the work (as opposed to the grates), cooking this way will take longer. include: Saturday, June 2, 2012 – Daily News 3B Other grill extras • Condiment trays • Pullout racks for propane tanks • Dedicated ovens You've just devoured the basics of grill shopping. It's a lot to digest, but hopefully you've just whetted your appetite and are ready to commit to bringing home the main course of cooking: the outdoor grill. Until next time, Happy Home Improving! Sean Murphy is a copywriter for Build.com in Chico. Visit the company's website for more home improvement tips at www.build.com. MCT photo These Tawny Emperor butterflies find the Ruby Red Grapefruit a tasty treat. By Norman Winter McClatchy-Tribune The Rio Grande Valley grapefruit has become known all over the world as being one of the sweetest, best-tasting cit- rus money can buy. While you and I use the grapefruit for breakfast, in fruit salads and in a myriad of other ways the National Butterfly Center has found it also is one of the choice fruits when it comes to nature. If you have visited one of the major nature desti- nations across the coun- try you may have already become accustomed to seeing birds relishing local delicacies. Here at the National Butterfly Center it is not uncom- mon to see Altamira Ori- oles almost doing acro- batic splits to make sure they get every bite possi- ble. The colorful Green Jays, one of the most beautiful birds in the United States, also take every opportunity to get their mouths on the deli- cious fruit. But it was kind of surprising to the staff of the National But- terfly Center to recently see butterflies by the dozens feeding on the grapefruit outside of the new visitor pavilion. The grapefruit had been put in the native Retama trees for the Golden-fronted woodpeckers that would normally visit, and then came the big surprise. For weeks now the brown sugar and a can of dark beer. This blended concoction is allowed to ferment and then applied daily. Tawny Emperor Butter- flies act as though they have found the ultimate food court of good eat- ing. It is like a feeding frenzy and visitors who walk the pathway to the Visitor Pavilion are amazed first off to see butterflies on grapefruit and then to see so many in once concentrated spot. This has been a banner spring for butterflies over most part parts of the country, and each day brings a new sighting. Some of even referred to this year's numbers as almost Biblical. The numbers around the National Butterfly Cen- ter's banana brew logs has been overwhelming as well. The banana brew made from 10 over ripe bananas, one pound of The brew is applied to logs hanging from trees or on iron rods placed throughout the garden. It is also applied to the tops of fence post in shadier areas of the landscape. Though temperatures are near triple digits the banana brew has been bringing in butterflies like the colorful Question Mark, Mexican Bluewing and Emperors of all sorts. By all means this is a good time to get a butter- fly garden established at your house. By planning to have native flowers with an overlapping sea- son of bloom you can keep butterflies around all summer. It is impor- tant to have a good quan- tity of plants that provide both nectar and larval food for the butterfly's caterpillars. The icing on the cake comes from also providing food from fruit like the grapefruit and the brew made from over ripe bananas. This will help bring in the rarer butterflies of your region.