Fairy Garden Inspiration

Image source: Facebook, Two Women And a Hoe

I saw this image on Facebook recently.  I have an obession with succulent plants, especially Hens & Chicks, and I adore minature things.  So this was definitely right up my alley.  I don't have directions to go along with it just yet.

DIY Easter Garden

Here's a fantastic Easter idea I just found online.  I've seen similar ideas, but this one is the most simple (and lowest in cost).  Even though Easter is upon us already, it is still a really fun idea to do over Spring Break.

You'll need:
Potting soil
a small terracotta flower pot
a large terracotta saucer
shade grass seed
twigs & string (to make crosses)
small stones
one large stone

Following example in the picture, fill part of the terracotta saucer with potting soil.  Place the small clay pot (the "tomb") on the dirt and pour more soil over top.  Gently pack it down.  Fill the area in front of the small pot with small rocks.  Place the large rock in front and off to the side of the small pot.

Create three crosses from the twigs and string.  Gently press into soil. 

Sprinkle grass seed generously on top of dirt, moisten with a spray bottle.  Keep the seed moistened by spritzing several times a day with spray bottle. Set it in a warm sunny location.

Grass should in 7-10 days.

Notes: You can use a plastic saucer and small pot.  If you use regular terracotta, I recommend you place something water-safer under the saucer.  Mold can build up under terracotta pots due to the moisture they retain, damaging the surface beneath the pot.

If you don't have nice little stones you can use, they are sold in home decorating departments at stores (often with the vases).

Cactus Garden -- 2.0

My mid-winter blahs were staved off in January by creating a darling trio of cactus plantings:

But now, a few months later, I felt the inevitable desire for variety, plus a developing obsession with all kinds of succulent plants.  Thus, I took the plants from the trio of containers and combined them into this miniture garden with 5 kinds of succulents:

I find it to be too cute for words! 

You can make your own with a small container, rocks in the bottom for drainage, and a few small succulent plants.  Give it a try -- I think you'll like it!

A Cup O' Cactus

Feeling the winter blahs? I know I am! When summer is a distant memory, and spring seems be running away from you, it's time for a little indoor greenery.

Windowsill gardens are the perfect idea for a little mid-winter burst of cheerful green. You can make a variety of windowsill gardens, anything from spring bulbs, plant cuttings, herbs, cacti, small tropical plants, and more.

This year, I had a fun little project in mind involving some adorable ceramic measuring cups my mom had given me. I just knew they would be perfect to create a little windowsill garden vignette.


I think I was right. What do you think?

This is how I made it:

Gather:
- a small, sturdy dish (teacups would be cute)
- potting soil
- small plants (I used succulents, see note)
- plastic containers to line, if desired (I used Gladware and tiny plastic cups)
- small stones

1. If you choose, cut your plastic liner to fit your dish, so that the top of it is flush with the rim of your dish.

2. If it is deep enough, place a few stones in the container to aid with drainage. If it's not deep enough, that's OK. Just be careful not to over-water).

3. Fill the container part-way with soil, place your plant inside, and then gently pack soil around the plant.

4. If you like, place small stones on top of the soil around the base of the plant. They can help cover the rim of your plastic liner if it is showing.

Here are some other great examples: Desert in a Box, and Plants for the Sill.

Note on plant choice: You can use a variety of house (tropical) plants or herbs for this project. The main consideration will be the size of your container. If the container is too small, you won't be able to find a plant small enough. I was able to make my plants fit in very small dishes because I choose to make a succulent (cactus) garden. Succulents have very shallow roots, which allows them to be placed in small, shallow pots.

Pizza Kits - a fun, fresh gift

Looking for a unique and useful -- and super-easy -- gift to give this spring? How about a "Pizza-to-Grow Kit", complete with tomatoes, spices and a box to hold it all in?

It's a great gift for kids to assemble and give, and it would make a fun, practical, and tasty present for teachers or for Mother's Day.

1) To start, visit your favorite local pizza joint and ask for a box (you may have to pay a small fee).

2) Then, purchase the fresh "ingredients" for your pizza -- lots of plants. Good choices for the pizza theme would be tomatoes, onions, green peppers, and herbs such as oregano and basil. For a fun play on words, include a flower plant to represent "flour" for the pizza dough.

3) You can transfer the plants into small pots (or styrofoam cups) if need be, then cut holes in the lid of the pizza box and place the plants in each.

4) For final touch, if you choose, include a gift certificate to the pizza place you got the box from.

A Pizza-to-Grow Kit is sure to be a big hit with recipients, and, assembling it will give your kids a chance to learn more about plants and the foods they make. For a great list of tomato, herb and flower options for your kit, visit our website at http://www.countryharvestgreenhouse.com/ and we'll help you find the plants for an awesome kit.

PS: Don't forget to let your kids plant their own pizza garden!

source: Family Fun magazine