Micro-gardening ideas to transform the tiniest of spaces

With so many plant-loving people not having a garden, a small patio or even a balcony, micro-gardening is becoming increasingly popular. After all, micro-gardening involves planting in a small space, often where plants would not ordinarily be found.

So when I heard that there was a new book coming out on the subject, called My Tiny Window Garden, I was really keen to get my hands on it.

The good news is that not only did I manage to do that, but the lovely author, Felicity Hart, has kindly let me feature a few of her brilliant, creative micro-gardening ideas in my blog. And…has given me 3 copies of the book to give away to three lucky readers.

Scroll down for your chance to WIN!

So if you are itching to get creative and see what you can do with plants in the tiniest of spaces – and you want to enter my give away – read on!

More about this Micro-Gardening book

Firstly, let me tell you a little more about the book.

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Micro-gardening Ideas

1. Kokedama

I have to say, I’d never heard of Kokedama before reading this micro-gardening book. And once I discovered it involved moss, I was nervous, as I’m an eco-gardening enthusiast. But sheet moss is completely different from the sphagnum moss in our peat bogs – which we shouldn’t disturb. Just make sure as Felicity’s instructions say, you buy sustainable sheet moss and you can Kokedama to your heart’s content (sorry not sure it’s a verb!)

Kokedama is the Japanese art of wrapping a plant’s roots in a decorative moss ball, which can be hung indoors or outside. Group several together to create an enchanting floating garden.

You’ll need:

• Bonsai compost
• Peat-free multipurpose compost
• A plant – try with ivy, peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), pothos (Epipremnum spp. or Scindapsus spp.), bird’s nest ferns or small flowering bulbs
• Sustainable sheet moss
• Jute twine

Method:

Step 1: Mix equal parts bonsai and multipurpose composts, and then slowly add water until they start sticking together. Take a large handful, squeeze out excess water and form a ball. Twist it to divide it into two halves.

Step 2: Remove the plant from its pot and gently remove most of the soil around its base. Sandwich the roots between the two compost halves and reform the ball, filling any gaps with more compost.

Step 3: Lay the moss on a flat surface, sit the compost ball in the centre and wrap the moss around it. You may need more than one sheet to completely cover the ball. Wrap the twine tightly around the ball until the moss sheet is secure. Leave a long length of twine at the top and create a loop so you can hang the kokedama up.

Step 4: Position the kokedama in indirect sunlight and keep the moss damp by misting it daily. Once or twice a week, submerge the ball in a bowl of water and let it soak until it is fully saturated. Gently squeeze out the excess water and let it drip dry in a colander before rehanging it.

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2. Succulent Sphere

I love succulent plants and am always struck by how inexpensive some are at the garden centre. So I definitely think I might try out the next idea. I’ll probably grow on the plants first, as looking at the example, it involves quite a lot of sumptuous succulent plants. But hey, for me, that will just make the whole task even more enjoyable. Growing plants I’m then going to create with, what could be nicer?

You’ll need:

• Two identical 30 cm (12 in.) wire hanging baskets
• Two 30 cm (12 in.) coir basket liners
• Peat-free multipurpose compost
• Perlite
• A bowl
• A square of rigid cardboard cut slightly bigger than the diameter of the baskets
• Eight cable ties
• A pencil
• Mossing pins
• A selection of succulent plants – for an outdoor orb, look for cold-hardy varieties, such as hens and chicks (Sempervivum spp.)

Method:

Step 1: Remove chains and line the hanging baskets with the coir liners. Then mix equal parts compost and perlite and fill both baskets.

Step 2: Rest one basket inside a bowl to stabilize it. Place the cardboard square over the top of the second basket, flip it upside down, and place it on top of the other basket to create a sphere shape. Gently pull out the cardboard and secure the baskets together with the cable ties, before trimming the ends.

Step 3: Choose a succulent and remove as much soil as possible from around the roots. Poke a hole in the coir with the pencil and push the roots and stem through. Secure the plant with mossing pins pushed in around the stem. Repeat until you’ve covered the sphere, then attach a chain to the top of the sphere.

Step 4: Submerge the sphere in a bucket of water, leaving it to soak for 10 minutes; then let it drain before hanging it up in its final position (be careful, as it will be heavy). It will need watering about once a fortnight from spring to autumn, but only once a month in the winter. Let the sphere dry out completely between watering.

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3. Air-plant Sea Creature

I’ve never grown an air plant before so this micro-gardening idea intrigues me. They come from Mexico and South America where they they use their little wiry roots to attach themselves to all sorts of things – tree trunks, cliff-faces, even power cables and telephone lines, rather than rooting in soil! What resourceful plants.

Looking at the RHS site I read that the most important considerations when cultivating air plants are their requirements for air, light, water and warmth. They like a good airflow, bright but diffused light, and ideally you should use rain water with them. So here’s Felicity Hart’s creative idea for them.

Tillandsias thrive in a steamy environment, so they are happiest hung in the bathroom or kitchen.

You’ll need:

• A length of clear fishing line
• An air plant (Tillandsia spp.) that will comfortably fit the bottom hole in your sea urchin shell
• Scissors
• A sustainably sourced sea urchin shell

Method:

Step 1: Loop the fishing line around the base of the plant, weaving it in and out of the bottom row of leaves. Knot tightly and trim any excess.

Step 2: Feed the line through the shell, and pull until the air plant’s roots are tucked snugly inside. Tie a loop in the line and hang your creature in bright but indirect sunlight.

Step 3: Mist with water twice a week, shaking off any excess.

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4. Customised Colander Planters

As many of you will know, I’m no cook. But I love my planters and I know my way around our kitchen well enough to know there’s an old colander in the back of the cupboard just waiting for me to transform it. What a superb micro-gardening idea from Felicity.

You’ll need:

• A metal colander
• A cloth soaked in white vinegar
• Spray primer
• Spray paint
• Spray clear topcoat
• A coir basket liner cut to fit your colander
• Compost
• Hanging basket chains and three metal S hooks (optional)

Method:

Step 1: Clean colander thoroughly with white vinegar. Once dry, spray with a coat of primer. Leave to dry.

Step 2: Spray on a coat of paint. Leave to dry. Then spray with the clear topcoat.

Step 5: Line the colander with the coir, fill with compost and plant it up. To hang, attach the chains using S hooks pushed through three equidistantly spaced holes at the top of the colander.

5. Miniature Wildlife Pond

Water is a brilliant way to attract wildlife into your garden. Indeed, I’ve blogged before about making a container pond for your patio. But this method from Felicity is much simpler than mine.

You can use any watertight container for this – from a repurposed washing-up bowl to glazed pots, half-barrels and old butler sinks.

You’ll need:

• A watertight container
• Gravel and pebbles
• A selection of aquatic plants suitable for small ponds – look for dwarf varieties of bullrush (Typha minima), compact flag iris (Iris versicolour), waterlily (see p. xx), etc.
• Aquatic planting baskets
• Aquatic compost
• Bricks
• A small log

Method:

Step 1: Place the container in its final location. Ponds do best in partial sun but can survive full shade. Heavy terracotta, ceramic, wood or metal containers are safest on the ground, but lightweight plastic containers can be secured to a windowsill or balcony railing. 

Step 2: Cover the base with a thin layer of gravel and pebbles and fill with water. Rainwater is best, but you can use tap water if you let it stand for a few days first.

Step 3: Pot your plants in the baskets, using the aquatic compost, and top with more pebbles or gravel.

Step 4: Sink several bricks into the container to create shelves around the edge. Lower the plants into the pond, positioning marginal plants like reeds and irises on top of the bricks, so they sit in shallower water. Place floating plants like waterlilies in the centre and submerge oxygenating plants.

Step 5: Add more pebbles to create different depths and hiding places for invertebrates. Position the log to make a sloping ramp up the side of the pond, which will allow creatures to climb in and out more easily.

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6. Wildflower-Meadow Hanging Basket

I’m always looking for ways to attract and support more pollinators such as bees in the garden. I have also toyed with the idea of creating a wildflower meadow, (well a mini one – more a wildflower patch) But know it’s easier said than done. However, creating a wildflower meadow hanging basket seems a brilliant micro-gardening initial step that any of us can try.

According to Felicity you’ll need:

• A 40 cm (16 in.) hanging basket
• A 40 cm (16 in.) coir basket liner
• Peat-free multipurpose compost
• Native wildflower seed mix

Method:

Step 1: Line the hanging basket with the coir liner and add compost until it’s three-quarters full.

Step 2: Sprinkle the seeds evenly over the compost, then lightly cover with a thin layer of compost. Water gently, and let the basket drain before hanging it up in its final position.

Step 3: Water the basket once a week – or more frequently in hot, dry or windy weather.

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Micro-gardening what more can you do?

Well those are just six of the brilliant ideas and tips from Felicity’s lovely book, My Tiny Window Garden. But frankly there’s so much more in there. Pages and pages of tips and advice. So if you’re keen for more, then do buy a copy. It’s out on April 13th, the hardback costs just £8.99 and you can pre-order it here

If you are feeling lucky, or dare I say Blooming Lucky, enter my giveaway…

Giveaway – 3 Books to Win

The publishers of My Tiny Window Garden have kindly given me three copies of the book to give away. To be in with a chance of winning one, simply subscribe to my blog by entering your email below. (If you are already a subscriber you don’t need to fill it in as you will be automatically entered into the giveaway.) Three winners will be randomly chosen. Good luck!

The Giveaway Closes on 30th March 2023 at 11.59pm (GMT) and it’s only open to UK entries

Competition Rules

The closing date is 30th March 2023 at 11.59pm (GMT). Three winners will win a copy of the book My Tiny Window Garden this is non-transferrable. This giveaway is open to UK residents aged 18 or over. Entrants must be a registered subscriber to the www.bloominglucky.com blog. To take part subscribe to the www.bloominglucky.com blog, this is the only mandatory task. If you are already a subscriber you will be automatically entered into the draw. Only one entry per person. The three winners will be chosen at random from all correct entries. The winners will be informed by email within 7 days of the closing date, and must respond within 7 days to claim their prize. Winners names will be available upon request. This prize draw is governed by English law and the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising in connection with it.