Fun with the Miniature Gardens

When my mother passed away the last of April this year, I inherited several baskets of potted plants. I
replanted them into bigger pots. Around the same time miniature gardens caught my attention, and I was hooked!

You'll see in the picture to the right a VERY simple one I created from plants, a container I already had, a small cabin I'd used as an outdoor decoration for awhile, a whimsical clock, and a few cheap animals (bird, rabbit and frog) I found at a dollar store.

They're easy and fun, and if you're a savvy shopper fairly cheap to create.

A.  First step
Tips for gaining some plants:

• Ask close friends or relatives for starts of plants. 

Any kind will do, but try to plant ones that you can use as a theme. For example, if you want a water theme, then look for palm-like plants or ones that YOU can imagine as waterside vegetation. Another example would be cacti or plants such as aloe for a seaside or desert theme. A third suggestion would be vines or lush type of plants for a jungle theme

• Check out store clearance or end of the season pots of plants. Sometimes you can get good selections that make excellent miniature gardens. Miniature roses, stalky plants are good choices. Don't go shopping with preconcieved ideas.
• As I experienced this year, take advantage of events where plants are given for gifts, etc. 
• Flea markets, yard sales, and other potential "throw aways" are possibilities too.

B.  Second Step

Look for containers to pot your plants in. Don't overlook anything. Other than pots themselves, try Goodwill, Ollie's, or other discount stores to look for clearance an cheap things to use. Dishes, old tubs, barrels, tires (for a temporary outside garden), glass containers, plastic ware, etc. Your imagination is all it takes!

C.  Third Step

Begin early collecting items to add the finishing touches. You can shop online for miniature items to add to your garden, but you can also be as inventive as you want and search all the named places above for items. Small animals and figures--whether realistic, funny, etc are good. Look for toy sized buildings--barns, shelters, houses, small toad houses, mushrooms, sleds, garden settings--chairs, tables, gazebos, etc.--pieces of mirror for lakes and water, tiny surf boards, skates, bicycles, toy automobiles, trains, fences, small-sized gravel and sand. 

Go online, pull up miniature gardens and study pictures and themes. Don't worry if everything doesn't match in size. It's your garden. Design as you like. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed which is easy to do, but have fun creating your miniature garden. Enjoy for yourself, sell them or give as anytime gifts.

What ideas come to your mind?

Happy gardening.

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

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