Gardening Lab

Fairies are tiny creatures who live in our gardens and keep an eye on things. You are going to create a beautiful place for your garden fairy to live! Gather your materials and find a small, tucked-away place in your garden to build your fairy garden. This can be an area that is “hidden” so only you and the fairy know where it is, or it can be easy for anyone to see.

MATERIALS

Super-small natural materials, such as tiny pine cones, shells, tiny sticks, thin pieces of tree bark, small leaves, small nuts and acorns, and pine needles.

Weather-resistant silicone, or indoor/outdoor fast-setting wood glue.

Trowel

Small plants, such as Sagina, Asperula, mosses, Arenaria, Ageratum, Lobularia, or miniature ferns. In addition to small plants, look for plants with tiny flowers. If you want to use shrubs or bushes, you can find small dwarf varieties that will work well.

Miniature knick-knacks or trinkets, such as furniture, animals, and tools.

DIG IN!

1. Choose the location of the fairy house near the back of your chosen space. Clear a small area—a 1’ (30 cm) square space is perfect. You don’t want to make it too big. Smooth the soil in the location the house will go. (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1: Select and clear an area.

2. Construct the house using the natural materials. Build the frame of the house using the tree bark or something else as sturdy. Glue the pieces together using the silicone or wood glue. Clamp the pieces together if necessary and let dry. (Fig. 2)

Fig. 2: Build your fairy house.

3. Place the plants where you think they should go and plant them in the soil. Water them at their roots. Add knick-knacks or trinkets. Step back and admire your new creation. Fairies will be moving in there soon! (Fig. 3)

Fig. 3: Plant and water the plants.