Miniature Garden Ideas

HOW TO START A MINIATURE GARDEN
A miniature garden is often an enchanted and magical space filled with wonder. The fun of a miniature garden is it can be simple or elaborate and will reflect the atmosphere of the setting you want to create. 

This DIY miniature garden pictured above is a personable addition to our front porch. It could also be used on a deck, in a backyard, on a terrace, courtyard, or sitting in the garden.


MINIATURE GARDEN SUPPLIES
There are many supply options to choose from. Start with just a few plants and figurines and you can continue to add to space over time.

I love garden walks as they often provide me with inspiration to take the next step.

Here's a list of some items to get you started on a miniature garden of your own.

Potting soil
Peat moss 
Small plants from your local nursery.  
Gardening Trowel
Figurines, houses, and other garden accessories and/or miniatures or repurpose items you already have.
Glass gems, pebbles, marble, sand, sea glass, stone, wood.



CHOOSE A CONTAINER AND LOCATION 
There are many places and types of containers you can use to plant a miniature garden. In our area, people often use old tree stumps, barrels, crates, and pots for their miniature gardens. 

 A few of our favorite ideas can be found below.

Birdbaths
Galvanized Containers
Old wheelbarrows
Old wine Crates
Old pop Crates
Planters
Pots
Raised planters
Stacking planters
Tree Stumps


PICK PLANTS FOR YOUR MINIATURE GARDEN
Our miniature garden is for my enjoyment. I use plants sparingly. You can purchase and/or make your own garden items or repurpose items like I have. 

I used an old plastic terra cotta planter, hand painted birdhouse, a bunny figurine, and a few rocks from the garden to make a path between some white impatiens. 

ADD SOIL TO GARDEN CONTAINER 
 In our garden, I used a mix of peat moss and potting soil. Be sure you ask the local nursery which potting soil is best for the plants that you purchase.


STAGE THE SCENE
Fill your container with potting soil and arrange your plants on top of the soil to see how it looks before planting. 

I like to utilize my camera to take pictures from above. You will want to create at least one scene in your garden such as I did here with the bunny. But if you are utilizing a large area, like a barrel or crate, you could have several scenes. 

PREP THE SCENE
Add water to prepare the soil to plant.
Dig small holes to place your plants in.
Plants and cover roots with soil.
Water plants again when you are finished planting.

ADD GARDEN FEATURES
Fill in the areas with natural elements below can be added to finish these features:

I love meandering paths but you could also have streams, ponds, hills, etc.

stones
pebbles
glass gems
sea glass
wood 
sand
moss


ADD GARDEN ACCESSORIES
Add miniatures or figurines. Start sparingly. You can always add more accessories later.

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