The Wonder that is Miniature Gardening

The latest gardening rage is miniature gardening which involves cultivating plants on a tiny scale depicting various sceneries. They are one of the best forms of creativity and are alluring and enchanting. They are popularly called “fairy gardens.”

ELEMENTS OF MINIATURE GARDENS

Miniature gardens can be opted for by both a beginner and a veteran gardener. They are easily adaptable to any surrounding and can be created both indoors and outdoors.

  • Theme

To assemble a mini garden, the first step is perspective. Choose a theme to jump start your creation. The theme can be based on the type of plants like mini herb garden, succulent and cacti mini garden or can be based on creating something realistic by using figurines

  • Container

Next is selection of a suitable container to harbour your mini wonder. The container can be anything- a tray, pot, basket, glass container or even a broken terracotta pot. It is also possible to create the garden in the ground.

  • Soil

A well-draining soil is a must for long time sustenance and the health of plants. If the garden soil seems dry and not good quality, add a healthy mix of cocopeat and cow dung to elevate normal soil to a superior quality one.

  • Plants

With a mini scale garden, it is best to use plants that remain small and require less trimming. Usually choosing plants with same water requirements is better as it avoids under and over watering of plants. Few plants that can be used include jade, adenium, basil, thyme, sedum, pilea microphylla, and various succulents and cacti.

  • Decoration

The final touches to your miniature garden is added by inclusion of pebbles, figurines, houses, birds, fairies. If you are making a normal mini garden, simple elements like pebbles, rocks, beads and wooden pieces can be used.

For a particular theme, accessories that suit the theme can be used. A more realistic garden is created by using optimum number of accessories. Too many accessories take away the focus from the plants and look too busy.

  • MAINTENANCE OF MINIATURE GARDENS

The two main factors for maintenance of a mini garden are light and water. The garden should be kept in a place where the sunlight is not direct. Most plants flourish in indirect sunlight. Water requirements of the plants can be judged by feeling the soil. If the soil feels dry, the garden needs watering. If the soil is wet, it should not be watered. Over watering is a silent killer as it causes root and leaf rot.

When your miniature garden survives and start growing, leaves and height of few plants will be overcrowded. In order to control them, start trimming the plants.

Miniature gardens are truly little things, but big fun!