Easter Basket Fairy Garden

Looking for a fun family project for Easter to get in a little Garden Therapy? You are in luck! Today we have a guest post from Beverly Turner one of the co-authors of Fairy Gardening: Creating Your Own Magical Miniature Garden. The book covers just about anything you wanted to know about fairy gardening, a type of miniature gardening in containers or right in the ground. Little worlds created with tiny plants, furniture, and little creatures makes them whimsical and, without a doubt, a lot of fun. Today Beverly has shared the perfect fairy garden for the season as it’s contained in an Easter basket!

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How To Make an Easter Basket Fairy Garden

Replace the usual sugar-loaded Easter gifts this year with Springtime fairy baskets. While we wouldn’t recommend completely eliminating sweets—because a bunny stampede would surely occur on Easter morning—the kids won’t notice a reduction in treats if their baskets are filled with a Fairyland fantasy.

Grab that old basket from the basement or garage and freshen it up with a little spray paint. Wipe down the outer surface and handle to eliminate any dust or dirt. Using a glossy paint, in a well-ventilated area spray with several thin coats to help the basket stand up to repeated waterings. Let the basket dry thoroughly between coats.

Line the basket with a 1-inch layer of sphagnum moss. Soak the moss in water beforehand to make it easier to use, and wear plastic gloves when handling the moss.

Fill the basket with a high-quality potting soil. Then plant a small-leafed ivy, wrapping the ivy around the handle and tying it down with clear fishing line until the plant grabs hold of the handle on its own.

As you plant, treat your mini garden as you would a full-size landscape. Plant taller “trees” like this Fuchsia thymifolia in the back and medium “shrubs” like pink polka dot plant (Hypoestes `Pink Splash’) midway.

Finally, add some low growing groundcover as “grass” for your fairy garden. Baby’s tears is used in this shade-loving planter. Water thoroughly, and you’re ready to play with accessories.

Lots of fairy garden goodies are available online if your local nursery doesn’t carry them. And, you can always make your own Easter eggs. Bakeable Fimo craft clay makes fabulous mini eggs, and a Popsicle stick is easily cut and painted with a holiday message.

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This contest is now closed.

First Drawing: Leave a comment or question on this post by Sunday, March 24^th to be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Fairy Gardening. And the winner is… Mary  Beth!

Second Drawing: Leave a comment or question on this post by Sunday, April 7^th to be entered into a drawing to win a yet another copy of Fairy Gardening! And the winner is…Alanna M!

Thanks to Beverly for sharing this project with us. For more information on fairy gardening and the new book, please visit Fairy Gardens.