Woodland Ornaments~ Moss, Lichen, Nature

I am making these beautiful little spheres of nature for the Christmas House Walk tree. Each carries a small bit of nature, rocks, moss, dried berries, sticks, and more. They look fantastic hanging in a window with the sun rays shining through all year round. They will be for sale at the shop for $5.99 each or 4 for $20. See more photos at The PURE Gardener Facebook Page.

How to Make "Real" Miniature Fall Leaves

A number of customers have come into the shop asking if we carry miniature fall leaves for their miniature gardens. So, I searched and searched and wasn't quite satisfied with what I found.  I decided to make my own. I purchased a tiny leaf punch and set out to find the right material for leaves. I didn't want paper because it would dissolve the minute the leaves came into contact with water. I tried to punch silk but the ends frayed.  Then I got the idea to use real leaves. Success! The punch cut through the leaves like butter! I gathered leaves from all around the Geneva area. They are a bit time consuming so I will have small bags of leaves for sale at the shop for those who would rather have me do the work for them :-)

Here is what I did:

1) Gather leaves of various colors including green

2) punch leaves with a leaf shaped punch

3) Spread out in a drawer or pan to dry. I put them in a drawer so that I could shake them from side to side to get that natural curled edge. Let dry over night.

4) Enjoy!

Fall & Halloween Miniature Garden Accessories, Goodies, & Treats!

It is time to haunt your miniature garden or add a few fall touches.   Give a tiny treat to a friend to show how much you care. They will like it :-)

Make a mini graveyard

Add a few pumpkins, skulls, tiny spiders and webs!

Tiny Straw Bales

Skeletons

Wax Lips

Please go to our Facebook Fan page to view more photos.

Miniature Backyard Garden with Koi Pond

*photos of the actual garden that I worked off of

I was approached by a granddaughter of an elderly woman who was moving into a retirement home. She asked if I could make a miniature garden of her grandmother's yard back home. Her grandmother loved her home, garden and small koi pond and missed it dearly since she had moved away. As I spoke to the woman, I noticed how her face lit up just thinking of a miniature version of her beloved garden. I told her that she would need to keep the "bushes" and the "trees" trimmed and the "grass" watered. The photos that I had to work off of were not the most detailed but I think that I captured her little backyard enough for her to be able to have something that could bring her some happiness. Find more photos on our Facebook page here. Please feel free to leave comments :-)

I focused on the pond area since that is what she missed the most. All of the plants are alive except the flowers in the flower pots.

The plants on each side of the bench will bloom with tiny white flowers in the spring.

Tiny bird feeder with a female cardinal. 


Please see more photos on The PURE Gardener Facebook Fan Page.


Annette MacLean

Alliums are In!

Schubertii Allium

Allium  bulbs have arrived! And, they are already flying off the shelves! Alliums are our favorite bulbs not only because they are beautiful, but also because they are rabbit, squirrel, and deer resistant. Plant bulbs now for beautiful spring color and interest! Stop by the shop or purchase online at thepuregardener.com (limited selection online).

TIP: A customer told us that she cuts and dries the Schubertii allium flower and spray paints it for a permanent accent flower!

Paperwhites are in! They make fantastic gifts and are easy to grow indoors. Enjoy their beautiful flowers as the days get shorter and darker earlier!

TIP: Plant in odd numbers: 3, 5, 7, etc.

"To Go Garden"

A tiny Garden that can be taken with you when ever a little nature is needed :-)

Live moss that just needs a little spritzing now and again.

Antique & Garden Sale

The PURE Gardener's miniature and fairy garden creations will be featured here- just a few blocks from our shop. The antique sale is three days long. Stop by early for best selection!

The Window Farms Project - Vertical Gardening

Grow your own veggies in your windowsill without soil. The latest vertical gardening that is "growing by leaps and bounds" in New York. 


 I think that this will make an excellent Winter project for Craig and I after the season slows down!

".... The simplest window farm system is a column of upside-down water bottles connected to one another. Plants grow out of holes cut into the sides. An air pump is used to circulate liquid nutrients that trickle down from the top of the column and make their way to the plant roots.


Window farms have been used to grow strawberries, cherry tomatoes and peppers. Riley's favorite is bok choi.


"Buttercrunch lettuce grows great and lots of herbs," Nayak says. "Anything leafy and green, essentially. You can't grow carrots. I mean, you can't grow root vegetables. Potatoes, garlic. Those things don't work."..... source NPR




Go to http://www.windowfarms.org/ to find out more about window farms!



Download the PDF of the How To instruction guide here


~Annette

Miniature Topiaries are Here!

Miniature Topiaries; Rosemary, Coleus, Scented Geraniums, and more!  

Mini Coleus Topiary

Can be used as a tree in an indoor (or indirect light) fairy garden or step up from a regular houseplant to something a little more 

elaborate!

I am in love with these mini topiaries and I am sure that you will be too! They are great to use as a tree in a miniature/ fairy garden or are wonderful sitting on a table near your favorite spot. They are easy to care for. We fertilize them every 2 weeks with organic fertilizer. They don't like to dry out and need a trim every once in a while to keep their shape. The scented geraniums and herb topiaries smell wonderful! 

Spring Fairy Gardens and More...

Cold tolerant pansies & sweet alyssum 

Easter Gifts

Bay trees! Perfect for your spaghetti dinner!

Eggs of all sizes. Even teeny weenie eggs for fairy nest.

A customer gave me two ringer washers last year that were her mothers. I turned one of them into a fountain last year. This one is now the home of a miniature garden complete with adirondack  chairs. I love the rosemary topiary!

Tiny Urns inside Baby Urns

Club Moss and Baby Tears

Fairy Garden for indoors. Complete with a tea set!

Miniature Garden Chairs

Herb is dressed as the Easter Bunny

Nest on branches

Pamper yourself after a long day with natural artisan soaps, candles, and lotions.

Take and Read