Our oldest miniature garden created over 9 years ago. The tree is a Tompa Miniature Norway Spruce. The trunk is about 1″ thick now. I’ll limb it up when I transplant it – as soon as the wee tree starts to complain (when I see the needles starting to turn yellow.)
Miniature Gardening 106: Contain Your Investment
A miniature garden can grow to be your old friend. With the right combination of plants, accessories and care, a miniature garden can grow for years before needing any repotting. The tree’s trunks and branches grow in and thicken, the bedding plants get established and look really natural, and the miniature patio ages and settles to look even more authentic than ever.
There ain’t nuthin’ like gardening in miniature. Satisfying. Rewarding. Creative. Garden-y. Fun.
Which is why I’m always surprised when I get an email asking about where to get cheap, er, um, I mean inexpensive containers for miniature gardening.
The same garden in 2007. You can find the aged mower up in our Etsy Store here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Janit
This miniature garden here in the gray rectangular pot is one of my oldest yet. I’ll have to dig out the exact age, I’ve blogged about it before, (and here too!) but it’s an ol’ friend now at about 9 years old. And, I think that pot sold solo for probably $50 at most.
Mind you, we are in temperate Seattle where the average weather is bland, but this miniature garden has withstood two house moves, several long freezes and a handful or two of random snow storms. (I told you it was bland.) The plants used in this garden are the Tompa Norway Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Tompa’) and Chocolate Chip Ajuga (Ajuga reptans ‘Chocolate Chip’ and yes, it’s the same plant, snipped back year after year.)
And there my ol’ friend still sits, 9 years later.
Amortize the $50 over 9 years, account for all the enjoyment, education and play time – I would say $5.55 per year is a pretty good deal. And hey, I am still using the pot too.
” The bigger the pot,
the more plants you can play with,
the longer the miniature garden will stay together, and it will be more fun and rewarding. “
Now, don’t scrimp on your miniature garden pot. Consider it an investment. You have to look at it for years so choose a nice one that you really like. We recommend minimum 8″ wide x 8″ deep for a one tree and one bedding plant. The bigger the pot, the more plants you can play with, the longer the garden will stay together, and the more fun and rewarding the miniature garden. Make sure the pot has a drainage hole or understand the plant’s needs with no drainage hole.
Now run, don’t walk, to your local independent garden center (I’ve always wanted to say that) and see what pots they recommend for your area. Get that pretty bowl for a table-top centerpiece AND that tall welcome pot for the front door, and get your miniature garden on.
Here’s the rest of the series:
Miniature Gardening 101: The Dirt
Miniature Gardening 102: Indoor vs. Outdoor Plants
Miniature Gardening 103: The Water
Miniature Gardening 104: How to Find the Plants
Miniature Gardening 105: Sizing up Your Miniature Accessories
Find your plants, parts and pieces for your miniature garden here in our store.
The same garden, again in 2007. That brick sheet patio was a surprise, I must admit. It has held up really well over the years and in the Seattle freezing too. It’s locked in with our Mini Patio Mix Kit.
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