By Bev Hermanson
How to make a miniature garden as a centerpiece for your dining table.
A miniature succulent garden is fun to put together and easy to refresh from time to time, given succulents can survive without too much attention and little water.
An excellent way to bring nature into your dining room or into your bathroom.
What you’ll need to get started
Equipment:
- a sturdy sieve
- various plastic containers
- a small spade or spoon
- a small brush
- an old metal fork
- a small water jug
- a decorative, watertight container for your centerpiece
You’ll also need compost, fine sand such as riversand, small stones, ornaments such as semi-precious stones, sea shells, small figurines as well as anything else you want to adorn your miniature garden with.
Creating your masterpiece
STEP 1
Sieve the compost. Use the rough sticks and leaves left behind in the sieve first, placing them on the bottom of your decorative container. Cover with the fine compost. Add water and leave for about 20 minutes for the compost to absorb the moisture. Cover with riversand.
STEP 2
Go in search of suitable small plants in your garden. It’s preferable to choose baby succulents that already have some roots.
STEP 3
Plant in groups, with an accent plant on one side.
STEP 4
Add small stones and decorations.
And voila! You have your new indoor garden ready to brighten up your dining table or bathroom décor.
Watering tips
Use a small jug or spray bottle for watering your miniature garden. Succulents do not like too much water, so be sure to test the moisture content of your soil before watering.
Finding your plants
If the plants in your garden are too big, you can easily grow baby plants from fleshy leaves taken off established succulents (making sure the base of the leaf is intact). And if you don’t have succulents in your garden, your local plant nursery should have a selection of water-wise plants for sale.
