design ideas for a minature garden

Gardening in miniature means that you can create your own garden in the tiniest of space. Even if all you have is a window ledge, or a small balcony you can create your very own miniature garden.

Use household items like left over jars and cartons to plant up small plants and seedlings to create your garden and here’s how

Things you will need

Plants

Viola’s
Marigolds
Fern seedlings
Mini cyclamen

Materials

empty household containers (plastic or glass) coconut shells or a hollowed out piece of wood
Potting compost
garden string, twine or craft wire
Small stones/pebbles
scissors

Step 1 Clean out plastic or glass food containers (once you have enjoyed the delicious desert), if using coconut shells cut them in half and scoop out the inside (use the coconut to make a delicious Thai or Goan curry – yum)

Step 2 Add a layer of small pebbles to the bottom of the container (you can buy these from a builders merchants, garden centre or collect some of your choice from woodland/beach walks

Step 3 Place ornamental grass {or other seedlings of your choice) on top of pebbles, hold in the centre and fill container to top with compost.

Step 4 Keep soil moist during dry weather, the pebbles will allow free drainage. Alternatively top with pebbles instead of layering bottom for decorative effect.

Step 5. If you wish to hang the container you can create holes in coconut or plastic and insert string, If using glass containers you can tie the string tightly along the lip edge. Tie in three evenly spaced pieces of string to form a triangle which you can join together at the top in a loop for hanging.

Layered plastic pot. Pebbles, soil, ornamental grass.

You can also use glass jars with a rim and add string to hang them up. The rim will help hold the hanging wire or string you use in place.

These jars have been planted up with fern seedlings and mini cyclamen – ideal for these tiny planters. Topping the potted plant with pebbles also adds to the overall effect.

You can also use miniature terracotta pots or hollowed out pieces of wood to plant up small seedlings like this fern and marigold. The marigold will bloom giving pretty yellow and orange flowers.

Here I have used an old abandoned birds nest from last year. (You must be really careful to ensure these are old/abandoned before using). You could use little gift baskets which can be purchased very cheaply and plant them up with violas and top up with moss (as seen above)