Description

Fairy gardens are a variation of theminiaturegardens which have been creating quite a buzz for a coupleof yearsnow. Fairy gardens seem to look best in a container of somesortalthough of course it's also possible to create one as part ofyourmain garden or as a feature in an existing area. You can buyabeautiful tub, half barrel or similar, or get creative withBelfastsinks, tin bathtubs, old tires or large flower pots- there'snoright or wrong container!

What makes up a fairy garden? It's really only limited byyourimagination, but in general a fairy garden will consist ofacontainer, miniature plants either in pots or planted,moss,crystals, stones/pebbles, and perhaps a fairy house or two.It'salso possible to incorporate ponds, rivers, and accessories-thereare manufacturers producing a wide range of amazing items tofullyaccessorize your garden, from stepping stones and seats toswingsand garden implements. Generally speaking the more uniquethebetter- try beachcombing or countryside walks to findunusualobjects, wood, rocks, fossils etc which might come inuseful.

It's a good idea to have everything ready near where youwillsite your garden before you start so you don't have to carryyourcreation to its new home after you have made it- depending ontheconstruction they can be quite heavy!
If you are using a deep container, you can half fill itwithpolystyrene chips. They will aid drainage and stop it beingtooheavy. Then you need a layer of good qualify potting compostalmostup to the top of the container, but gently packed down as youwillbe planting into this. Bear in mind that if you'reusingpolystyrene it will sink a little under the weight of thegarden sobulk it up higher than you would expect.

I usually select low growing plants, such as creepingthymes,aubrietia, alpine dianthus, London pride, stone plants,creepingrock plants etc. A good hunt around the alpine and herbsection ofyour local garden centre will help- ask a member of stafffor helpif you're unsure, but plants which do well in thin soilwill oftenbe a good bet.

If you are making an indoor garden, you can use the sameplants,but you will need to water them more often, or you can usetiny toyones, fake ones, mini candles, dolls house accessories oranylittle things you like.

Next you want to position your house or houses, and thenremovethem so you can dig your plants in around where the houseswill besited. You may need more compost to firm everything up afteryouhave put your plants in.Now the fun starts! I use moss I dugupfrom my garden to represent grass, as real grass grows tootall,but you can use fake grass or fake moss- this is often betterforindoor use. Fake moss is available from good model shops.

I use fish tank gravel for paths as it's small and colorful.Ihave also collected shells, pretty stones, tumbled glassandcrystals and other little bits and pieces to go along the edgeofpaths. Try using a small bowl to make a pond and putgardenfurniture on the moss to make an outdoor scene. Small mirrorsalsowork well as ponds and to reflect light into the garden. Youwillview your child's Lego and dolls house furniture in a newlight: assomething to value rather than go up the vacuum! I findthatsparkly things like glass beads really add to the magic.

As you get more confident, there are little bits of furnitureyoucan make; seats, arches etc. There is a bridge from FiddleheadFairyGardens which is fabulous, and doesn't have to go over apebblestream, it can just be a feature in the garden. Fairies arenotfussy! My son likes to make rope ladders to join differentlevels ofgarden.

You can use fake flowers too so there is year roundinterest-many nowadays are so realistic that it's hard to seethedifference. If you're using a fairy house, you can either makeone,or purchase one- there are many models available nowadays inavariety of sizes, shapes and designs