DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
Backbone Valley Nursery, 4201 FM 1980 between Marble Falls and Granite Shoals, is holding Miniature Garden Madness Days on March 12-14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will learn how to create miniature, or fairy, gardens. Courtesy photo
TOBEYVILLE — The world of gardening just become a lot smaller thanks to the fascination with fairy gardening.
“It’s really becoming quite popular,” said Jessica Robertson of Backbone Valley Nursery. “People are getting really interested in it.”
Fairy gardening, or miniature gardening, sounds almost hobbit-like in nature with small English-style gardens popping out on a childlike scale. But even that wouldn’t be taking it far enough, or, in this case, small enough.
“It’s actually working with miniature gardens,” Robertson said. “Something like a dollhouse garden.”
Whether new to the concept or looking for a few ideas for your own miniature garden, Backbone Valley Nursery is holding Miniature Garden Madness Days on March 12-14 at the nursery, 4201 FM 1980 between Marble Falls and Granite Shoals (about a mile north of Sweet Berry Farm.)
From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each day, people of all ages, including children, can explore the world of fairy gardening, including terrariums.
There will be a workshop area set up so people can come and go. They can get ideas from Robertson and others.
“We’ll have lots of miniature garden plants and items for them,” Robertson.
While children 12 and younger get a free container and a bag of soil to start with, the rest of the cost is a la carte.
Robertson estimated an initial miniature garden could run between $20 and $40. The workshops are free.
“It’s very addictive, and it’s not just for kids,” she said. “There are people who just love this. It’s really incredible to see the detail and level some go to when creating a miniature garden.”
Some miniature garden enthusiasts craft gardens based on themes or holidays, sometimes creating one from scratch or simply adding specific miniature items.
The process includes miniature terrariums, which typically feature succulents, house plants and even carnivorous plants.
“There’s all sorts of stuff you can do,” Robertson said. “It’s really up to your imagination.”
At 2 p.m. each day of the event, people can help create a community fairy villa at Backbone Valley Nursery.
If you’re not into miniature gardening but love growing tomatoes, then mark March 15 down on your calendar. Robertson, a biologist, will offer her “Tomatoes 101″ seminar starting at 2 p.m.
Whether a beginner or an advanced tomato gardener, Robertson will cover topics beneficial to all. This lecture was standing-room only last year.
Go to www.backbonevalleynursery.com or call (830) 693-9348 for more information.
daniel@thepicayune.com
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