The Fairy Bistro Set

My husband and I are working on a new fountain project.  We needed a pump and some helpful advice, so we took a trip to the Hill Country Water Gardens and Nursery in Cedar Park.

Hill Country Water Gardens is almost an hour drive for me, so I don't go there often.  They have expanded so much over the years.  I'm always amazed when I pay them a visit.  There are lots of cool fountains, statuary and plants, but what do I absolutely fall head over heels for?  A fairy bistro set.

I really didn't have any intention of building a fairy garden.  Like I said, we already had a fountain project that we were working on, but that bistro set, with it's cute, little cloche bell jar, spoke to me.  It said, "Take me home and build a fairy garden."  Must have been the little people.

Fairy gardens are miniature gardens that are assembled in large shallow containers. I've seen them constructed in Radio Flyer wagons and incorporated into the landscape.  Both of those are cool ideas, but for my first  fairy garden, I'm going to use a large shallow pot.

My plan is to have a small water feature divide the container.  I decided to build a small pond with stream using a plastic liner so it will hold water.  This did not work as well as I'd hoped.  The soil in the container was just too loose and crumbly.  To add structure to the stream and pond, I recycle an egg carton and a cool whip container to create support, then, lay the plastic on top.

I can already see that hiding the plastic is going to be tricky.  I decide to plant the little mosses and think about how I can make this better.  I add my little fairy bird bath and my windmill, and head off to find some more stones.  Luckily, I have lots of little rocks and pea gravel around the yard.

To finish up the display, I added a cactus, a sedum, and a wooly thyme.  I've added lots more rocks to try to hide the plastic liner, but I'm just not satisfied with the water feature.  At least it seems to hold water.

So, I say goodbye to the little pond, and start my redesign.  I decide to go with more of a dry creek look, and start working on a little arbor to cover the bistro set.  I found the perfect piece of leftover flagstone for a little bridge over the creek. 

The arbor is constructed with twigs that are lashed together with heavy duty brown thread.  I added a touch of glue for extra strength in the corners, and a little dab for each of the twigs which make up the roof.

Perfect!  I think this fairy garden shows off the little bistro set to it's best advantage.  I hope the fairies are happy!

Tonka Tour

Did you ever have your very own Tonka truck?  I never did.  I was Tonka deprived as a youth, but I'm making up for it now.  I purchased my very own second-hand Tonka truck and for just a few dollars, I made a very cool toy fit for the most discerning gardener.  Here's my Tonka truck garden just after completion.

After constructing Tonka, I thought, what the heck, let's go for a spin.  First stop, the Chick Inn.  Hmmm... I guess the chicks are out gallivanting. 

I kinda see why 5 years boys like these Tonka trucks.  My Tonka is king of it's little garden world.  Let's cross the bridge and go check out the watermelon patch.

My garden pond doubles as a huge lake in Tonka's world.

Driving a Tonka truck around is exhausting.  I  think it's time to find a place to park, after all, I'm not 5 years old anymore.  I thought this spot next to my new Sharkskin Agave and Bronze Dyckia would be good, but it doesn't really show Tonka off to her best advantage.

Ah, this is perfect.  The yellow pansies really bring out the color in her chassis.  

I hope you'll consider having a little fun with your garden containers.  If a yellow Tonka truck isn't really your style.  Consider this adorable plastic pail potted up with purple Angelonia.

Or, grab an old red wagon and use your imagination.  Do you see a moss covered fairy land or a desert oasis full of cactus?  It's all child's play.  Have fun!