For this month’s Meet the Village feature, we’re doing something a little different. We’re sharing a glimpse into the Bella Luna Toys team village, starting with me. My name is Liza Gardner Walsh and I am the copywriter behind many of the words you read here at Bella Luna, and I’m also the author of 18 children’s books, many of them inspired by fairies and the natural world. Even a treasure hunt or two...
Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of children as a librarian, preschool teacher, and mom, helping them discover not only the magic of fairies, but also the magic of nature itself. I’ve found that fairies are a great vehicle into wonder; inspiring children to garden, explore the woods, gather tiny treasures, and tell their very own stories.
There’s truly nothing quite like watching a child guide you through the tiny world they’ve created filled with handmade dinner tables, little bathtubs, lamps, artwork, rugs, and ingenious inventions of every kind. In over 14 years of building fairy worlds with kids, I am always in awe of the natural instinct they have towards building and welcoming. One of my all time favorite memories was when one child started building a fairy soup kitchen and the entire group of children rallied around them to gather the food to feed the fairies. Talk about building empathy!
Today, I want to take you through the basics of creating a fairy garden with your kids that will attract all kinds of winged creatures. The differences between fairy gardening and building fairy houses are few but important. I cover them all in my books, Fairy House Handbook and Fairy Garden Handbook. Fairy gardens basically are tiny gardens built with the fairies in mind, so thinking of scale and creating places for fairies to rest and reinvigorate. And although building a small garden can seem like a small act, I know from experience that by creating this little space and taking the time to grow this tiny world, you will open the door to a life filled with fairy imaginings where endless wonder awaits.
How to Make a Fairy Garden
The best way to begin fairy gardening is to start small. A container garden allows you to create a tiny world for a fairy with just a few plants and accessories. The best part is that it’s portable making it perfect for small backyards, porches, patios, or city living.
Choose Your Container
Old wheelbarrows, baskets, terracotta pots, straw hats, and even wagons can become fairy gardens as long as they are deep enough for at least three inches of soil. Good drainage is essential, so make sure your container has drainage holes or a layer of gravel at the bottom. Fill your container with a mixture of two parts commercial soil and one part compost or peat moss.
Pick Fairy-Friendly Plants
Container gardens work best with miniature and dwarf plants. A few lovely choices include:
- Myrtle: The variegated (different colored patterns on the leaves) or green variety can be shaped into a small tree.
- Lemon-scented Geranium: Smells delicious and can also be trimmed into a tree shape.
- Creeping Savory: Can be shaped into a small bush or allowed to trail down the side of your container.
- Irene Rosemary: This is cascading rosemary that drapes over the side of your container. Rosemary will entice the fairies to visit your garden.
- Oregano: Tiny pink flowers look like a miniature flower bush and oregano is great in pasta sauce!
- Sage: Gray and variegated leaves make a nice contrast to the other plants in your container.
- Irish and Scotch moss: Moss is essential as it provides the perfect bed for a fairy.
- Baby’s Tears: With their tiny leaves and ability to cluster as well as cascade, this is a perfect plant for small spaces.
For a small planter, three or four plants is usually plenty. Place taller plants toward the center and trailing plants near the edge.
Plan Your Tiny World
Before planting, try arranging your plants while they’re still in their pots. Think about pathways, hidden corners, bridges, or tiny places where a fairy might rest. I always recommend drawing a simple plan first and don’t forget to write a little wish for your garden in the corner.
Add the Magic
Once planted, it’s time for the really fun part: creating your fairy landscape. Sand, pebbles, sea glass, shells, and small stones can become pathways, ponds, tables, and fairy furniture. And don’t feel like you need to buy everything. Some of the best fairy garden accessories are handmade from natural treasures children collect themselves, like twig ladders and sea shell bath tubs. Most importantly, laugh while you plant. Fairies love the laughter of children, and there is nothing that invites magic more than a garden created with delight!
We hope your days are filled with engaging fun and heaps of family laughter and love, and a few crafternoons spent together. Share your play, crafts, reading, learning or anything magical with us on Instagram @bellalunatoys and use our hashtag #bellalunatoys for a chance to be featured on our feed or stories. Happy crafting!
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