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Gardening in Miniature: Create Your Own Tiny Living World
Get ready to journey into the huge world of growing small!
The next garden trend combines the joy of gardening with the magic of miniatures. Gardening in Miniature is a complete guide to creating lush, living, small-scale gardens. It has everything you need to pick up this new hobby, including scaled down garden designs, techniques for creating tiny hardscapes, miniature garden care and maintenance, tips on choosing containers, how to buy the right plants, and where to find life-like accessories. Inspiring step-by-step projects feature basic skills that can be recreated in any number of designs, like a tiny patio, a trellis, a pond, and a secret garden.
Whether you want to build a miniature fairy empire in your garden bed or design a private garden with a pebble patio for an indoor centerpiece, Gardening in Miniature is the primer for creating your own tiny, living world.
The next garden trend combines the joy of gardening with the magic of miniatures. Gardening in Miniature is a complete guide to creating lush, living, small-scale gardens. It has everything you need to pick up this new hobby, including scaled down garden designs, techniques for creating tiny hardscapes, miniature garden care and maintenance, tips on choosing containers, how to buy the right plants, and where to find life-like accessories. Inspiring step-by-step projects feature basic skills that can be recreated in any number of designs, like a tiny patio, a trellis, a pond, and a secret garden.
Whether you want to build a miniature fairy empire in your garden bed or design a private garden with a pebble patio for an indoor centerpiece, Gardening in Miniature is the primer for creating your own tiny, living world.
255 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 26, 2013
This beautiful guide to growing and tending small gardens should be on every 'bonsai' type gardeners shelf. The photographs are amazing and could double as a coffee table book. There is advice ranging from which type of container to use, which plants to add and to how many hour you plan to devote to it. These are all very important points to consider. Scaling is written about in detail and something that is not mentioned in many books. There is a detailed list of plants that will work in different lighting areas.If you love small gardens, or just want to bring nature a little closer on a small scale, this is your book !
September 24, 2015
Excellent book about miniature gardening. The focus here is not on "fairy gardening" whimsy, but on pure miniature gardens, the type that can fool you in photographs into thinking they are full size. Photos show gorgeous, inspirational examples of this type of design. There is a reference section that discusses the type of plants to use, and what conditions they grow best in. Both indoor and outdoor (in-ground and container) gardens are featured. Since the Kindle version is currently $3.99, there is no reason whatsoever to avoid it if you have any interest in miniature gardens.
May 5, 2019
Fun, fun, and fun.
Someday.
Someday.
January 19, 2014
Virtually anyone can be a creator. That is the takeaway of this wonderful and gorgeous little book.
Cover: 
Garden with statue: 
Tall Pines: 
Reading place: 
January 24, 2016
Miniature gardens, fairy gardens, railroad gardens – they are all about small space gardening to the point that even if you only have an outdoor balcony you can grow a tiny garden scene. Plant it, decorate it, and add characters to it, it’s all to scale of course, no matter what size garden you have! Janit Calvo takes you through the steps of creating your own tiny living world in this charming book.
Every page is packed full of wonderful photographs and ideas, you could really get lost in this art form. My favorite garden in the book was the pond in the pot, but many of her created gardens intrigued me.
If the bug of gardening in miniature hasn’t bitten you, this book will send you right over to the wee side, a place you will never regret going! This is a good book to get you started, or if you already have some under your belt, Calvo helps inspire you to create more.
Every page is packed full of wonderful photographs and ideas, you could really get lost in this art form. My favorite garden in the book was the pond in the pot, but many of her created gardens intrigued me.
If the bug of gardening in miniature hasn’t bitten you, this book will send you right over to the wee side, a place you will never regret going! This is a good book to get you started, or if you already have some under your belt, Calvo helps inspire you to create more.
August 24, 2015
Gardening in Miniature is a brilliant read for gardeners that want to try their hand at miniature gardening. To be clear, this is a book about miniature gardening not fairy gardening. It shows you how to cultivate miniature plants in natural settings, building structures like patios, pots, and benches to make these gardens look true-to-life. It is more magical without fairies that I could have imagined.
I enjoyed learning how to make a stone patio, built just like the large backyard version, as well as the creative planting ideas shown on the pages. It takes skill to create these gardens as well as the author and my versions aren't nearly there yet. I do enjoy practicing, however.
It is a great read and inspiration for creative and fun gardening ideas.
I enjoyed learning how to make a stone patio, built just like the large backyard version, as well as the creative planting ideas shown on the pages. It takes skill to create these gardens as well as the author and my versions aren't nearly there yet. I do enjoy practicing, however.
It is a great read and inspiration for creative and fun gardening ideas.
August 18, 2013
I received a review copy of this book on Net Galley.
I've been looking to get into miniature gardening ever since a saw a few pictures of them on Pinterest, and this book totally scratches my inspirational pictures itch, as well as giving a good overview of how to make your little gardens and keep them happy and healthy.
The book includes how-tos for making little accessories like tiny climbing trellises and fences, as well as how-tos for an entire miniature garden design, if you don't feel up to laying one out from scratch.
The only addition I would have liked to see was a vendors list -- where do I buy those little terra cotta pots and iron benches?
I've been looking to get into miniature gardening ever since a saw a few pictures of them on Pinterest, and this book totally scratches my inspirational pictures itch, as well as giving a good overview of how to make your little gardens and keep them happy and healthy.
The book includes how-tos for making little accessories like tiny climbing trellises and fences, as well as how-tos for an entire miniature garden design, if you don't feel up to laying one out from scratch.
The only addition I would have liked to see was a vendors list -- where do I buy those little terra cotta pots and iron benches?
May 5, 2017
There is absolutely no reason that anyone can't have a garden. This book has an amazing array of miniature gardens that can be constructed in pots or a small patch of dirt. The instructions are very easy to follow with all safety, equipment and plants covered. They take awhile to complete but, like me you can become hooked on this.
A wonderful activity for children as well as adults, I believe a wonderful meeting of minds between a child and a grandparent - I can just see it. I really love this book and I really recommend it for anyone who loves gardens and creating pictures.
A wonderful activity for children as well as adults, I believe a wonderful meeting of minds between a child and a grandparent - I can just see it. I really love this book and I really recommend it for anyone who loves gardens and creating pictures.
June 8, 2013
Thank you to Netgalley.com and Timber Press for allowing me early access to this book.
Very, very fun! Full of great information for the complete novice in miniature gardening. Calvo gives detailed information on materials and plants, including how to water and how much sunshine various types require. She also gives detailed information for both outdoor and indoor creations. I'm all inspired to see if I can create some of these projects in my own home.
Very, very fun! Full of great information for the complete novice in miniature gardening. Calvo gives detailed information on materials and plants, including how to water and how much sunshine various types require. She also gives detailed information for both outdoor and indoor creations. I'm all inspired to see if I can create some of these projects in my own home.
May 6, 2013
I'm completely hooked! I made a Hobbit hole garden earlier this spring, but this has me thinking I need to make a larger one....Loved the photos and all the plant lists, great for the beginner as well as the experienced gardener!
March 8, 2015
The best book on miniature gardening that I have found, so far. Excellent resource and directions.
June 16, 2026
I love this comprehensive guide to miniature gardening, which turned out to have such good advice and information, it was useful for my full-size garden as well.
Not in any of the many gardening books or magazines that I have read over many years has anyone touched on the aspects of garden design she lays out here. An anchor! Layers! Balance, form, texture, color and focal point. Of course, this all relates to miniature gardening, but you can also use it in your full garden. There is a section on each component of design. So helpful.
I have been putting together little fairy gardens for years, and I have always hunted for the smallest plants. But I had no idea that there were actual trees that you could use, other than bonsai. And I had never thought of setting up a perennial garden, that I could add to or fuss with, year after year. This was a revelation! There is a two page list of plants, including shrubs, trees and bedding plants. She talks about light and soil and just about anything else that you need to take into account.
I am so excited to set one up, that will be permanent. In our climate, I can't leave the little decor items out, but I will be looking for a few base plants that I can set up and always have there waiting for me in the spring. She includes detailed lists of plants that are appropriate, with all kinds of categories. It is a shame I have to return this to the library.
I'm taking pictures and taking notes. This is also stocked with many full color photos, which is really nice, and especially helpful in illustrating the scale issue with miniatures.
She does go into the miniature aspect of it fairly often, but really, what I got out of this that was so valuable was the idea of which plants. I can fuss with park benches and little gardening tools all on my own. The key there, as she often repeats, is scale. And I am a bugger for scale. I cannot stand it when something is even a smidge off. So yes, I have got that down.
If you are new to fairy gardens, or just want to set up a little garden in a pot, this is a great resource. She even talks about doing them indoors. I can't keep anything alive indoors, so I will be skipping that, tyvm. But it is all great information.
Not in any of the many gardening books or magazines that I have read over many years has anyone touched on the aspects of garden design she lays out here. An anchor! Layers! Balance, form, texture, color and focal point. Of course, this all relates to miniature gardening, but you can also use it in your full garden. There is a section on each component of design. So helpful.
I have been putting together little fairy gardens for years, and I have always hunted for the smallest plants. But I had no idea that there were actual trees that you could use, other than bonsai. And I had never thought of setting up a perennial garden, that I could add to or fuss with, year after year. This was a revelation! There is a two page list of plants, including shrubs, trees and bedding plants. She talks about light and soil and just about anything else that you need to take into account.
I am so excited to set one up, that will be permanent. In our climate, I can't leave the little decor items out, but I will be looking for a few base plants that I can set up and always have there waiting for me in the spring. She includes detailed lists of plants that are appropriate, with all kinds of categories. It is a shame I have to return this to the library.
I'm taking pictures and taking notes. This is also stocked with many full color photos, which is really nice, and especially helpful in illustrating the scale issue with miniatures.
She does go into the miniature aspect of it fairly often, but really, what I got out of this that was so valuable was the idea of which plants. I can fuss with park benches and little gardening tools all on my own. The key there, as she often repeats, is scale. And I am a bugger for scale. I cannot stand it when something is even a smidge off. So yes, I have got that down.
If you are new to fairy gardens, or just want to set up a little garden in a pot, this is a great resource. She even talks about doing them indoors. I can't keep anything alive indoors, so I will be skipping that, tyvm. But it is all great information.
May 9, 2017
This book has come to me at the right time for sure.
I have grown up with crafty fingers and a carpenter dad so always have seen tools and tricks used to make something from nothing.
However, last year I started to get really into what a horticulturalist does after finding a beautiful garden open locally. My mum also has a friend with a unique garden, full of gnomes and even a miniature garden.
Which brings me back to this rather amazing book.
Not only does it tell us about all you need in terms of tools, paints etc to have a DIY approach to making some aspects yourself and not just using shop bought products to display in your garden.
It includes rather simple ideas by utilizing free products to you from your garden as well as reusing things such as weathered wood.
Each idea is generally inspired by a country, holiday theme such as Halloween or Christmas as so on, enlisting us in a journey as we read on through what inspired each part and we can admire the detail in each garden through the high quality photography used throughout to illustrate the book.
I think people of all ages will enjoy the book, have a go and create a little beauty of a garden for themselves!
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
Follow Janit's blog and shop:
http://www.twogreenthumbs.com/index_0...
I have grown up with crafty fingers and a carpenter dad so always have seen tools and tricks used to make something from nothing.
However, last year I started to get really into what a horticulturalist does after finding a beautiful garden open locally. My mum also has a friend with a unique garden, full of gnomes and even a miniature garden.
Which brings me back to this rather amazing book.
Not only does it tell us about all you need in terms of tools, paints etc to have a DIY approach to making some aspects yourself and not just using shop bought products to display in your garden.
It includes rather simple ideas by utilizing free products to you from your garden as well as reusing things such as weathered wood.
Each idea is generally inspired by a country, holiday theme such as Halloween or Christmas as so on, enlisting us in a journey as we read on through what inspired each part and we can admire the detail in each garden through the high quality photography used throughout to illustrate the book.
I think people of all ages will enjoy the book, have a go and create a little beauty of a garden for themselves!
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
Follow Janit's blog and shop:
http://www.twogreenthumbs.com/index_0...
November 30, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read and review Gardening in Miniature: Create Your Own Tiny Living World by Janit Calvo! New, imaginative and creative ideas for fairy and tiny gardens. This book covers supplies needed for a miniature garden workshop and basic materials and tools required for most projects. The projects cover holidays, special occasions, world travel, storybook ideas and more! For the beginning miniature gardening and for the novice, the detailed instructions and photographs will inspire and get the creative juices flowing. 5 stars for a completely fun craft book!
July 15, 2017
What an inspirational book to create a small miniature fairy garden with real plants! I have made several fairy gardens with silk flowers, but this book inspired me to created a live fairy garden using miniature plants and accessories.
October 10, 2019
I did more flipping through than actual reading, but this book did have a lot of fun examples, pictures, and several "recipes" for miniature gardens. They're all super cute, but I feel like it takes more time than I've got right now to build one of these little worlds.
July 27, 2017
Leaping on to the current trend in gardening, Janit Calro has produced a charming book on the topic. Plus nice illustrations for the mini gardener.
September 21, 2018
A great little guide to making miniature gardens. It has a lot of ideas to make furntiture and plant in a scenic fashion, as well as an index of plants that look "miniature" and stay that way.
January 12, 2020
Skimmed as a resource.
February 5, 2022
Nice introduction to the craft and beautifully photographed!
March 13, 2022
finding the gardening section at my library back home was the best way to spend spring break 🪴💚 this book was a combination of two of my favorite things - gardening and tiny things! ⛲️
March 6, 2023
Good photos and inspo
July 10, 2024
i need to make my own little gardens now <3
August 28, 2013
Sometimes called "Fairy Gardens",these are tiny scenes that people make among their plants and in their planters and pots.Think "bonsai" with small props like chairs, dogs,rivers etc.(Which actual "serious"Japanese bonsai cultivators refrane from) This book shows many examples of the type of scenes you can create and then helps you build them. Just like in my BJD hobby, scale is really important. This book is great if you do not have a garden since you can create these little displays in a pot or bowl that is small and keep it on your window sill.Adorable.
January 7, 2024
This is a pretty nice, though somewhat basic introduction to miniature living gardens. Janit gives a general overview of containers, plants,accessories and scale. She didn't go as in depth as I had hoped, but on the other hand she didn't overwhelm me with information. As a rank beginner, I found her writing style to be clear, engaging, and inspiring. She uses clear English without a lot of industry jargon, but doesn't talk down at the newbie. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and (using one of the projects at the end of the book)I'm ready to try to put together my first fairy garden.
April 1, 2014
I kind of cheated with this book because I only read the portions that were applicable to the workshop I'm giving and either skimmed or skipped the rest.
Overall, great book with lots of helpful tips on every aspect of miniature gardening. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants an introduction to miniature gardening.
As a gardener who has several years of experience under his belt, I enjoyed this book more for the few helpful tips I found and the inspiration from looking at all the wonderful pictures than for any substantive new gardening knowledge I gained.
Overall, great book with lots of helpful tips on every aspect of miniature gardening. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants an introduction to miniature gardening.
As a gardener who has several years of experience under his belt, I enjoyed this book more for the few helpful tips I found and the inspiration from looking at all the wonderful pictures than for any substantive new gardening knowledge I gained.
January 28, 2015
Nice intro for someone just starting to fairy garden. This book contains nice pictures for inspiration on good quality paper.
I liked her emphasis on scale. So many fairy gardens have people as tall as the houses and it just looks wrong.
I was also struck by her chapter "Does it Belong?" YES!! Ask that question!! So many gardeners put way too much crap in their fairy gardens. Just because you have 10 really cute miniature things does not mean you should put them all in one garden! Less is more. Really!! One miniature can be enough to create a mood, set the scene.
I liked her emphasis on scale. So many fairy gardens have people as tall as the houses and it just looks wrong.
I was also struck by her chapter "Does it Belong?" YES!! Ask that question!! So many gardeners put way too much crap in their fairy gardens. Just because you have 10 really cute miniature things does not mean you should put them all in one garden! Less is more. Really!! One miniature can be enough to create a mood, set the scene.
November 22, 2013
I think making a miniature garden would be a fun project. Whimsical is probably a better word. I liked how the author included a lot of the conceptual and reference info as well as a whole chapter that walks you through making a couple of different things step by step. There are also some great photos of creative projects. Fun book to flip through.
I borrowed this from the library, but if I decide to make one, I would definitely buy the book for reference.
I borrowed this from the library, but if I decide to make one, I would definitely buy the book for reference.
January 15, 2014
This is a grat introduction to miniature gardening. We learn the difference between a miniature garden and a bonsai tree, how to choose plants and supplies, and the different sizes that are typically chosen with a miniature garden. The best part about this book is the photography. Even if you never plan to grow a miniature garden, you can enjoy the pictures here. I recommend this book for adults and teens. It would be a good resource for starting a miniature gardening club in your neighborhood.
January 20, 2014
A terrific read for those interested in beginning to garden in miniature - that is, gardening a storyscape. While all gardens have a story to tell, the need to exhibit scale in miniature gardens leads to a more directed storytelling, including fairies or dinosaurs, fantasy or historical period, and recreations of places one has visited. Recommended plant list included, along with many, many tips for appropriate care of plants.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews