What is a puddling station
A puddling station is a shallow area of moist sand, minerals, and water that provides butterflies and bees with resources they may not find in flowers alone. In nature, pollinators often visit damp soil, mud puddles, and stream edges to drink and gather essential minerals.
Our Puddling Station Kit makes it easy to create a pollinator-friendly watering station in your own garden. It provides butterflies and bees with a safe place to drink, rest, and gather minerals throughout the growing season.
why pollinators love it
- Provides a safe, shallow water source
- Supplies essential minerals
- Offers landing spots for butterflies and bees
- Supports pollinators during hot summer weather
- Easy to maintain and refill
what’s included
- Terracotta saucer
- Landing stones for butterflies and bees
- Small terracotta fruit dish
- Pre-mixed mineral blend made from play sand, composted manure, and sea salt
Setup instructions
- Add the mineral mixture to the terracotta saucer and spread it out to cover the bottom. The mixture will fill about three-quarters full. The surface does not need to be perfectly even, but the bottom should be fully covered.
- Add your rocks and arrange them, however you like, to create landing spots for butterflies and bees.
- Add water slowly until the mixture is moist throughout but not dripping. It should feel damp to the touch with no standing water.
- Place your puddling station in a sunny, open area near flowers where butterflies and bees are active.
Optional Fruit
You can add slices of fruit to attract butterflies. Apple, orange, and banana slices work well. Replace fruit every few days or sooner if it becomes moldy. Butterflies are attracted to soft, overripe fruit.
Make it your own
You can design your puddling station however you like. Feel free to arrange rocks or add natural elements, but only use non-toxic materials.
Maintenance
- Check every few days and add water as needed to keep the mixture moist.
- About once a month, refresh the mixture by replacing it with a new batch. You can wipe out the saucer before refilling. The rocks do not need to be replaced.
- To make a new mineral mixture, combine 3 1/2 cups of play sand, 1/2 cup of composted manure, and 1 teaspoon of all-natural sea salt, iodine-free, with no additives. Mix thoroughly until evenly blended.
Seasonal use
Puddling stations are most effective from late spring to late fall, typically April through October.
Bring a little magic to your garden
Puddling station kits are available in limited quantities based on material availability. If you would like a puddling station kit, reach out to check availability and reserve a kit.
👉 Contact us to learn more