How to Construct a Miniature Garden That Is Ideal for Children or Adults

Miniature gardens are terrific for children of appropriate age as well as adults. Careful planning and the proper gardening "know how" will put you at an advantage.

The child will appreciate such a garden as it is a replica (possibly) of Mom and Dad's garden except suited to the size of the child. Plus, the added instruction and nurturing provided to the child as well as the garden (from Mom and Dad) will heighten the fun.

Adults limited on space may also benefit from miniature gardening as a "relaxing" hobby. In order to start your very own "child's" garden or adult miniature garden, follow the steps below.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Window Boxes
• Flats
• Paper pots
• Gardening tools
• Sand
• Soil

How to Create a Year-Round Miniature Garden

1. The first thing you need to know is that there are a "world" of midget size flowers on the market. There are tiny sized Lillies (about the size of your thumb), thimble-sized tulips and "itsy-bitsy" size roses.
   
   The small Lilly variety grows 12 to 15 inches in height as opposed to the Tiger Lilly which grows 3 or 4 feet. The correct name for the "pint sized" lilly is Coral Lilly. If you plant these flowers as part of your child's garden, it may be safe to "gamble" that you will be picking some of the midget variety for yourself!

2. Other miniatures to consider include the following: Miniature Gladioli; Rock Tulips (Clusiana); Rosa Rouletti; Polyantha group of Miniature Roses. The best recognized Rose of the Polyantha Group is the light pink Sweetheart Rose. The perfect small flower has been traditionally used in Children's Bouquets of earlier eras. You may leave the Polyantha grouping out all winter, if you prefer, as the flowers are most hardy. However, you may also enjoy them indoors as delightful "potted" miniatures.

3. Other "tiny" flowers you may wish to consider for your miniature gardening endeavor include: a Lafayette with color choices of scarlet or white; a White Aachen, the flower that begins as a yellow bud and blooms snow white; a Baby Chateau coming in shades of velvet red; a Kirsten Poulsen, another scarlet colored flower; and a Triomphe Orleans, a "red hued" variety.

4. You may wish to consider flowers in light pastels for your miniature garden selection(s). You have 2 ideal choices with a Grussan Aachen and a Fluffy Ruffles. The flowers come in pink to more salmon-colored tones.

5. Other choices include: Pinks, Violas, California Miniatures, Midget Anemones, Primrose, Dwarf Phlox, Baby Snap Dragons, Lilliput Dahlias, Cupid Zinnias, Knee-high Chrysanthemums and Dwarf tuberous-rooted Begonia (bulbs).

6. After you've considered your miniature flower choices and made your purchases accordingly, you will want to organize and plan your garden.
   
   The first "rule of thumb" is to plant flowers which bloom readily and (quickly). Start your miniature flower garden on a small scale--small enough to fit the confines of a small apartment, alcove or similar small space with the ability to expand your garden to an outdoor space in the summer months.
   
   Another consideration is to organize your planting so that you will have "continuous" blooms; therefore, a certain amount of thought needs to be employed.

7. Supplies for your miniature garden may include the following: window boxes, and soil, rolled paper pots (if you can make them or find them), a small bag of sand, a piece of glass, and a flat which is a small wooden box made of slats.

8. Fill the paper pots with a mixture of sand and soil.

9. Next, plant the seeds in the pots.

10. Put the pots in the flat.

11. Lay the pane of glass over the pots and the flat. The reason you are doing this is because the glass will maintain moisture so that you do not have to constantly add water to the pots. There is also an added "bonus" to this trick. The glass will increase warmth generated from the sun's rays, particularly in winter months, when it is advised you begin your garden. The result will be the increased warmth will speed up germination thus sprouting (bringing up) your plants a bit sooner.

12. It is suggested you use paper pots (if you are able to do so); otherwise, regular pots will do. The advantage in using paper pots is that when the small plants start to grow to the point where they become crowded, you may transplant them by merely cutting away the paper pot.
    
    You could also use the containers that Chinese food comes in to start your seedlings. After all, they are about the right size. Plus, they are made of paper.
    
    Simply wash out the container that does not contain any food you've ordered that is not too "gooey" or messy. After washing, allow it to dry. Or if you happen to pick up your Chinese, just ask if you may have a couple empty containers. Otherwise, if you never eat Chinese you may need to "scour" the shelves of several retailers. I know, on several of my shopping trips, I found some at a certain dollar store I like to frequent.
    
    Other than what has just been mentioned, if you or a family member or friend is handy at making things, then it is suggested you manufacture some paper pots of your own. They will prove to be so much more handy for you when it comes to transplanting your crowded plants. It's not only easier; it is also a bit safer for the new roots than digging.

13. If you are not handy at making things or have looked "high and low" and can't find paper pots, then you will need to use the traditional method of digging out the small plants and soil with a spoon. In this circumstance, you will be using a standard plastic or clay pot.

14. After removing the beginning plants from their original pot, you will need to divide the plants up into several pots, or if you prefer, plant the new "starts" in a window box.

15. Once you have decided what seeds to buy, make certain that you purchase your seeds, if you can, from a seed house. The seeds found at the seed houses will provide you with the advantage of raising strong, healthy plants. Since you are starting from "scratch," possibly sitting at your kitchen table planning the entire color scheme and environment of your miniature garden, a seed catalog offers you the best opportunity to plan and design your miniature garden in a "relaxed" atmosphere.

How to Plant and Transplant in Your Miniature Garden

16. You will want to begin your miniature garden with something very colorful. This is a great way in which to get "the ball rolling." Additionally, your initial plants need to be hardy and fast growing. You need to assure this in order to keep the momentum positive.

17. Start with enough of a variety in order that each morning as you awake, you are sure to find a nice surprise! The following list can be helpful in putting together your garden: French Marigolds, Dwarf Phlox and Inflata Petunias are all tiny flowers that will grow rapidly. Keep in mind it is impossible to predict when a flower will bloom. Depending on conditions, the first bloom may happen in 3 weeks to 6 months; therefore, planting variety is not only useful but essential. In the interim months, however, you will be involved with witnessing your plants' first leaves and transplanting.

18. Plant Miniature Anemones and California Poppies. Be aware, Anemones and Poppies grow a "tad" bit slower than the flowers mentioned in some of the preceding steps.
    
    Also, you may consider the colorful foliage plant Coleus. The plant will compliment your flowers.

19. Take your plants begun in midwinter and transfer to a location outside or move transplanted plants outdoors in late spring. Also, once the plants have relinquished their blooms, start over with plants appropriate for spring planting. The Miniature Tulips, Crocuses, Jonquils and Grape Hyancinths will be through blooming by the middle of March or April. This is a sign to start your Spring planting.
    
    The first thing you will need to do is take up your used bulbs and store them in a cool, dry place if you have one. By doing so, you will be able to plant the same bulbs next year. If you do not have a cellar, ask a friend to store them in their basement or, otherwise, purchase more the next season.

20. Repeat the establishment of your plants, using the paper pots (if available) flats, sand, soil, and so forth in the same manner as you did when starting your midwinter plants. Use the window box as well in starting your seedlings. Remember, also, as you did with your winter plants, to plant a nice variety of miniatures. By starting your plants in mid-March and early April, you should be able to transplant the spring variety to the warm spring ground in the month of May.
    
    Also, "force" your plant's growth by using a pane of glass, just as you did with your middle of the winter plants.

21. Following are some possible suggestions for "quick" growers for the spring months: Sweet Alyssum and Candy Tuft. (The latter is truly not a miniature; however, it still is a small plant and grows quickly). Other considerations include: Jubilee Gem, Cornflowers--the dwarf variety; Lilliput Zinnias, Midget Ageratum, Anchusa, and Nasturtum. All of the preceding plants should bloom by June.

22. Also, remember early spring is also the time to plant the flowers that will bloom or make their appearance in the middle portion and latter part of summer. Additionally, you will need to leave room in your window box(es) for the summer plants. Suggestions for summer plants include: African Orange Daisies and Early Wonder. (Both flowering plants will bloom in July.)

23. Once the summer arrives, (around June) it is time for you to transplant your flowers started in spring to the outdoors and plant your summer flowers. (Summer flowers should last through autumn).

24. By this point, you will probably have the "hang" of starting plants from seeds and transplanting. Just be knowledgeable of the fact that each time you transplant you move your plants to a "roomier" location or pot. The idea is to prevent overcrowding and to encourage plant growth.

25. Continue the cycle with seeds that may be started in June. The blooms coming forth in autumn until you are back to winter again--and thus your starting point or where this article began.
    
    In this way, you will have miniatures blooming all year. Additionally, the creation of the miniature garden for year-round enjoyment is a wonderful indirect way to teach your children the evolution of nature and life.

Tips & Warnings

• This "rule of thumb" may be contrary to what some more experienced gardeners have read or heard. When planting Coleus, throw away larger seedlings, keeping only the small ones. The small seeds will produce the most colorful leaves.
• Plant Pinks in your window box in the middle portion of winter. This "enchanting" miniature that resembles very small carnations in appearance will have a good start by the latter part of spring. During the late spring, you may transplant the plant to a predesignated garden spot out of doors.
• Bulb plants, except for Begonias, should be planted in the window box in midwinter for blooming in latter spring or early summer. Examples of bulbs that produce miniatures include: Midget Tulips, Jonquils, Grape Hyacinths, and Coral Lilies.
• Plants that may be started at any time of the year include Minature Roses and Midget tuberous-rooted Begonias. They will flourish the best in separate pots.
• It is suggested you buy the Miniature Roses in plant form. (If you would like to grow the tiniest rose the world has to offer then plant Rosa Rouletti).
• The Begonia should be purchased as a bulb. (It will grow nicely in a shady area with moist air). Plant the bulb so one-quarter of it protrudes above the soil's surface. You do this in order that the plant's leaves will not rot which is exactly what occurs when the leaves touch the ground. Remember that although Begonias are slow to germinate, they bloom very quickly after producing their first leaves.
• Do not over crowd plants in your window box when transplanting. Purchase another window box or additional pots, if necessary.