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Life speeds up in the springtime. After the long, slow days of winter and weeks spent wishing for sunshine, spring finally arrives, full of new sights, sounds, and smells. The first buds on the trees and flowers on the miniature plants prove that nature is waking up, giving a good stretch, and warming itself up for the months ahead. Sometimes it seems as though, once the daffodils appear, the plants begin a beeline to summer—and everyone else does, too! Before you know it, the school year has wrapped up, baseball is back, and the hottest days of the year have arrived. Do you ever wish you could slow it all down? Turn down the volume, sit in silence, and enjoy spring for the short time it is here? One way to take full advantage of this season of rebirth is to spend some time in the Zen garden. Whether you build your Zen garden indoors or out, it offers the opportunity to take a much-needed break, transport yourself to a faraway world (or at least the illusion of one!), and create a self-care sanctuary right in your own home or yard. Ready to “Zen out” with a dry landscape miniature garden of your own? Keep reading to learn more. Container As gardeners know, the outdoor miniature garden always offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But an indoor container garden or patio pot can make it easier to get that escape during any month of the year, no matter the weather. For Zen gardens with air plants or other miniature plants that do not need room for roots, I like to use a shallow plate. For succulents, miniature trees, and other plants, I prefer a wide terracotta pot or similar container. Miniature Plants While many Zen gardens feature sand and small sensory accessories, my ideal garden getaway has plenty of room for green plants. Depending on where you decide to locate your container (shade, windowsill, etc.), you will be able to fill it with a variety of miniature plants. Miniature shrubs and trees are a favorite, especially for gardens that include mini cottages, pagodas, and other buildings. Trailing plants and low-growing miniature ground cover plants can add a bright green touch without too much maintenance. For a quick-and-easy miniature garden, consider succulents or air plants. Air plants do not require any soil, and can be rearranged to your heart’s content. Succulents, on the other hand, do need to be planted, and they love to soak up the sun. I like to choose a few small varieties to plant around the edge of my container, leaving plenty of room in the middle for landscaping materials and accessories. Aloe vera makes a showy stand-out plant for the Zen miniature garden, especially when surrounded by other miniature plants and fairy garden plants. Landscaping Once your miniature plants are situated in the potting mix, you can add a layer of one or more landscaping materials. Pebbles, crushed seashells, colored glass, and sand are just a few of the countless options. For a fairy garden twist, add a few shakes of “fairy dust” glitter to the top layer. The garden described here is small-scale, but for larger gardens, a water feature could add that extra touch of calm and relaxation. Instead of going through the challenge of adding real water, simply design a winding “stream” of blue rocks or glass. A simple bridge placed over the stream completes the contemplative space. After you have included your choice of pebbles, shells, or sand, consider some larger landscaping elements, such as faux moss, moss-covered rocks, or large, smooth stones. These elements can be tucked around the miniature plants to add texture and color. Accessories Last, but certainly not least, the relaxing Zen miniature garden often includes one or two miniature accessories. Far from the whimsical cottages and fairies of your usual fairy garden, Zen gardens might feature a solitary statue, Buddha, cement figure, fountain, wishing well, or another understated piece. These accessories give the gardener a focus point for meditation time in the garden. By focusing on the object, one can quiet distractions, calm the mind, relax, and truly be present in the miniature garden. In the busy, buzzing days of early spring, what could be better? We all deserve a garden break. I hope you find time to take one this week. Happy Gardening! Miniature Gardening offers a variety of accessories, fairies, garden tools & dollhouse furniture to create enchanting miniature landscapes for winter container plants or your yard. Story telling and imaginary fairy garden plants from 'Miniature Gardening' bring the playful kid out in all of us. Filled with intrigue and mystique each little miniature garden scene you create is a snapshot of such a dream.
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