GARDEN Art DIY: How To Make A Suitcase Fairy Garden

How To Make A Suitcase Fairy Garden

1. The number one best tip is: pay attention to scale.

This means, make sure the fairy garden supplies you buy all work nicely together and the sizes match.

You don't want to end up with a giant table and a tiny chair or a fairy cottage that looks way too big next to some little flower pots.

Check measurements before you shop.

2. Think of a fairy garden as a story - what do you want yours to tell?

Who will live there?
What do they like to do?

Start with a theme, character, or accessory you love and build the garden around it. If you can't think of one - ask a child for help.

3. Decide if you want living or synthetic plants.

Living plants will take some maintenance. I used real moss in my garden (shown here).

If you opt for synthetic plants, your garden could be displayed indoors or outdoors.

Vintage suitcase (or any sturdy container will do) - see vintage suitcases
Waterproof plastic sheet (or thick garbage bag) to line suitcase
Plants - moss, creeping sedums, grass lawn - see moss
Potting soil - also known as container soil
Small stones, twigs, acorns (optional)
Garden gloves
Knife to cut moss or grass (optional)
Plant mister

Add moss in sections to fit the shape of the suitcase.

Moisten plants (moss, sedum, grass) and add to suitcase.

You can tear the moss gently apart or use a serrated knife to trim it if needed.

Optional
If you would like to line the inside lid of the suitcase with moss, you can hot glue it in place and mist it with water to keep it green.

There are so many wonderful accessories!

Add furniture and accessories.

This is the fun part.

Remember how I said to dream up a theme or character to build your fairy garden for?

Pick accessories you love and the garden will come to life.

My tiny gnome loves lemonade.