The Tiny Garden - Minatures At Work
Go to: Previous Article Next Article
Flower beds and borders are measured in feet and are limited only by the space available and the interest, time, and strength of the persons responsible for them. An indoor garden can be fully as interesting but must be reduced in size. Children and grownups alike can have fun planning and planting miniature indoor gardens.
This type of gardening is particularly desirable during winter months although a person confined to the house or lacking garden space outside would enjoy miniature gardens at any time of year. They need not be considered seasonal. They are often temporary and one does not expect (or may not even desire) a lot of growth.
There is practically no limit as to what one can use as containers so long as they will hold a bit of soil or other planting medium, Most of them will have no drainage holes. Coarse gravel, pebbles, or pieces of broken pot with a few pieces of charcoal placed in the bottom of the container and covered with coarse sand will take care of drainage. Coarse sphagnum and charcoal might be a convenient substitute. Fill the container with sandy garden loam for cacti and succulents. For ferns and woodsy plants, loam mixed with peat, or a peat-sand mixture can be used.
Small plants in scale with the size of the "garden" should be used. Among plants one can bring from the outdoor garden are hens-and-chickens (sempervivttms), small sedums, dahlberg daisy, and cupflower (nierembergia). After a period of dormancy, one can dig small hardy violets, Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), marsh-marigold (Cult ha paluslris), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), dwarf ferns, Iris cristata and other dwarf irises to force into growth and bloom. Among houseplants are coleus (pinch them back or discard when they outgrow the containers), spur-flower (Plectrarallus Oertendahli), baby tears, dwarf sansevieria, ivies, small cacti and succulents (such as echeveria, ghost flower, tender sedums), and African violets-any small plant that can grow in a minimum of soil and under what might not be the most favorable conditions.
Shallow dishes or small trays are popular for miniature gardens. Plants can be set to suggest a tiny landscape - do not expect to find solar landscape lights in the picture. If it is to be viewed from one side only (and it is easier to plant a landscape with that thought in mind) the taller plants are placed at the back. The soil must be firmed well around the roots. Moss may or may not be used to cover any bare soil. Because there is no natural drainage care must be taken in watering. Water only when the soil is dry on top. Cacti and succulents need very little water. More harm can be done by overwatering than by under-watering.
A dish, neutral in color, 11 by 7 1/2, is large enough to make an interesting planting. Cacti, sedums and other small succulents will live for months in such a container. Coarse sand particles may be used to outline a path or to hide the edges of a tiny mirror pool. Small stones make dish garden-size boulders. A couple of figures such as water birds or deer beside the pool add a great deal to the landscape.
A boy or girl could make a whimsical cup planter. A cracked cup will do if the handle is intact. Draw a grinning mouth underneath the handle (which is the nose) with red crayola or fingernail polish, and rouge the cheeks. Fasten felt or cardboard ears to the sides of the cup with adhesive tape. Place child's sunglasses over the "nose" and "ears." Tie at the back with ribbon. Arrange drainage material and soil in the cup. Choose a fairly large "hardy hen" for a hat and plant in the soil. A stem of sedum makes the hat decoration. For a collar set the cup in a saucer or small plate.
A little girl would like to make a doll-size planter. A button 1 1/4 inch in diameter can hold at least five plants and a "boulder," tiny ones of course. Choose a button that has space for a bit of soil on the bottom side. (The button will be turned upside down.) Set the planter button on a larger button (harmonizing in color) for a base. Use floral clay to hold it in place. Close the holes of the top button with floral clay or a bit of wax before adding the soil. Three tiny "hens" and two small sprigs of tiny sedums can be planted. Tuck their roots toward the center and place the "boulder" (a small piece of gravel) on top of the roots. This planter will require a few drops of water daily.
Pound coffee cans make good miniature planters. They hold more soil than shallow dishes. Holes can be punched for drainage. These could hold the plants brought in for forcing. Paint the cans inside and out, or cover the outside with foil or suitable paper.
Cardboard milk cartons can be utilized in various ways to make containers of all sizes and shapes. Cut them across in half for a square planter.
Remove one side and refasten the open end for an oblong container. Cut diagonally across the ends and down opposite corners for a V-shaped planter. The latter will require legs (held in place with adhesive tape) on which to stand. Cover these planters with foil or paint them. Pots of plants can be set in them with sphagnum or vermiculite around them. Or they may be filled with drainage material and soil and the plants set in the soil.
Children enjoy "October's bright, blue weather" but there'll be days when it's dark and gray. The answer to their "What can we do now?" could be: "We can make a little indoor garden." Teach the children the names of the plants used in the plantings. You may be surprised how well they remember.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
Insurance Comparison Quotes - Selected Insurance Carriers eager to quote you a price, fast!-
Word Count: 1012
Reduce Your Debts Without Bankruptcy. See How Much You Can Save. Free Debt Analysis
