Step By Step Guide to Creating a Fairy Garden

Step by Step Guide
How to Build a Fairy Garden!  

Some of you may be asking, what exactly is a fairy garden? Basically, a fairy garden is a miniature garden complete with small items and plants, meant to entice fairies to come visit your home, and possibly move in!

Dating back to the eighteenth century, fairy gardening has been a very pleasing and consistent part of gardening in European countries. Many of the traditions that we celebrate here in America, have roots that come from fairy lore.

Hanging a horseshoe over your front door is said to keep the fairies out of your home, as they hate iron.
Picking a four-leaf clover not only brings you good luck, but it is said to protect you from any spells a mischievous fairy might try to cast upon you. 

In general, fairies are very happy and free spirited individuals, who love a good laugh.

Creating a garden for them with things that they love, is a great way to entice them to visit you and maybe even bring you luck! It is also a great way to get outside and creating the garden with your young ones or other family is a wonderful bonding experience. 

So, where do you start?
Let's begin.

STEP ONE
Choose your Container and Soil

Here I've chosen a copper square container with a depth of 2.5 inches. I've also chosen a potting soil containing organic peat, which will give the soil more nutrients and air.

STEP TWO
Preparing The Soil

I placed a piece of burlap in the bottom of my container to help with draining. It will also help to retain some moisture so the plants don't dry out too fast. 

STEP THREE
Choosing Your Plants

I picked out Live Moss, a dried moss that only needs water to bring it back to life! I also picked out a small fairy plant, Dee Dee's Box Honeysuckle. 

STEP FOUR 

Installing Your Plants

I first picked the corner where I wanted my Honeysuckle. Squeezing the container, I was able to pop the roots and dirt right out, and plant it in my container, up to the stem, adding extra dirt around it. I then took sheets of the dried moss and laid it out over the dirt to resemble grass. I then used a spray bottle to thoroughly soak the moss and Honeysuckle. 

STEP FIVE
Adding Accessories! 

I picked a small house since I have a small container, some stepping stones, and a bench. Of course you will want a fairy, or in my case a gnome!
Get creative! Once you have a basic start, you will be surprised at the ideas you can come up with for your garden.
Most importantly, just have fun! There is no set rules in fairy gardening, and the fairies will appreciate your own unique and magical touch.

What Should I Fertilize My Lawn With In The Spring?

It's spring, which means it's time to feed your lawn! If you haven't done it yet, don't skip this important part of maintaining your landscaping, and making sure you have the best looking house on the block!

What do I recommend you use? 

A granular fertilizer containing both a high first number and the chemical Dithiopyr.
That first number you see on the bag of fertilizer is the most important nutrient for your lawn; Nitrogen.
Nitrogen helps to promote a thick, dense lawn with the deep green color you are looking for. 

Dithiopyr is known for it's pre-emergent magic on crabgrass. Since we are already into May, is it too late to use this chemical? No!
Little do many people know, Dithiopyr also provides early post-emergent control of crabgrass and over 40+ grassy and broad leaf weeds. 

Depending on the size of your lawn, you can use a hand or push spreader to properly disperse the granules throughout your lawn. 

A 50 pound bag of 19-0-0 Anderson's Fertilizer, like we carry here at Nature's Home and Garden in Brighton and Nature's Garden Center in Saline, will generally cover 10,000 square feet at a medium application rate.

With the pricing we offer; $29.99 per bag or two for $50, you can even stock up for next spring!