Hi ,
I hope this finds you enjoying the spring in your area - I think? Lol! As I write this, I do believe there is yet another (!) storm system making its way across the states to the east coast. I hope you are safe and cozy.
But! Have no fear because your miniature gardener is here!! (CUE: Trumpets playing, crowds cheering. :o)
So, what to do when you can't plant for spring yet? Read on for more, I've got some ideas for you!
And for today, because my major blog renovation has been gobbling-up all my time - I'm having an impromptu SALE!!
Get 20% off right now on all:
- Accessories,
- Books and
- Patio materials!
Use the code: GET-READY-22
in the discount code box during checkout
and 20%
will be taken off at checkout.
$20 minimum!
Offer expires soon! :o)
For subscribers ONLY!
And hey, I think we all were reminded at this year's Oscars last Sunday night that we are all going through something. Please be gentle with one another, we've been through a rough couple of years and we ALL have some healing to do. <3 Please stay safe.
Whatever you do, make it fun and make a miniature garden,
Janit Calvo, Head MG, Owner
Two Green Thumbs Living Miniature Garden Center
ABOVE: From the archives, 2014. My first and only April Fools garden! I made this for a blog post after finding that wonderful bathroom set at a miniature show. I titled it, "What Fairies Really Need." :o)
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This was a wood trug that I filled-up with sand and laid some ceramic tile down for the bathroom floor. The faux plants were part of the April Fools joke. Needless to say, I didn't get much feedback on this one!!
Lol!
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I mounted the sink on a stump - what else do the plumber-fairies use?? I guess I should have had a roll of leaves to use as toilet paper... :o)
~~~
Setting Yourself up for Spring!
Things to do now to have an easier spring season!
- Clean up any debris, fallen leaves or branches (if there's no snow on the ground that is,) especially on your ground-covers to keep them looking their best.
- Clean up your container miniature gardens, cut back anything leggy, aerate the soil by mulching the top layer but be careful of any dormant plants.
- If your ground covers / bedding plants have been in your miniature garden for more than three years, chances are they'll need to be divided and replanted to remain happy. Otherwise they'll be leggy and/or go brown once the growing season starts. Don't hesitate on this one either - speaking from experience - or you'll have a big case of the "I shoulda's" by
July if you don't divide now, in spring. (See last's week's Gazette on dividing plants.)
- Thin-out any overgrown garden beds - full-size or in mini - if they are looking crowded now, they'll be really crowded in the growing season when they start to fill-in. All plants need room to grow and air through their branches and leaves to stay happy. (Kinda like us!)
- Replant anything with shallow roots that are looking like they've been pulled-up. The ice and snow sometimes upheaves plants with the freezing and thawing over the winter months. Gently lift them up with a shovel, dig a deeper hole and replant.
- Clean up your potting area and garden tools. I know, I know, but think about how nice it is to walk into your potting area and actually be able to FIND what you are looking for!!
- Pull weeds! Honestly! They are much easier to pull now when they are still a bit dormant. Once the warm weather hits, they'll literally dig-in and they'll be harder to pull. Get the roots too, and be done with it.
- Clean up your accessories with warm soapy water and an old toothbrush. You can clean-up the metal stake with a bit of sandpaper.
- Clean up your miniature patios with a bit of TSP and water - and an old toothbrush. Rinse carefully by tipping the pot, patio-side down, and spraying it with a water-mister-bottle, letting the water run off. Let it dry. If there are still stains on it, try it again.
- You might have to wait to clean up your in-ground patios, rinse them off by spraying the TSP stuff off gently towards the best spot with the least amount of plants.
- Any wood or resin accessory that has faded in color, think about repainting or re-staining it to give it another life. This will save you money and it'll keep it out of the landfill. See our Gardening in Miniature Prop Shop book for more ideas on this. (See the Halloween, British, Mom's Day, Fairy or July 4th chapters for ideas.)
- Order your spring trees and plants now. If you're not ready for your spring plants, we have a "purchase reserves the trees" program. Go ahead and order and
tell us when to ship them. We'll double-check with you before we ship just in case.
~~~
That pretty fairy was an Amy Brown Fairy that I repainted and added more texture to the wings (similar methods shown in the Fairy House project or the Zombie project in our Gardening in Miniature Prop Shop book.) This particular style is discontinued and she doesn't make them sitting or just
standing anymore, unfortunately. Although, I wonder if we asked her nicely.... :o) If you like fairies, google "Amy Brown Art Fairies" and she'll come up. She is really talented and her illustrations are just beautiful.
~~~
Not ready for your spring trees yet?
For Trees and Shrubs ONLY!
(We'll have plenty of fresh ground covers
throughout the spring for you!)
- We will ship after May 1st - weather permitting!
- Leave a note in the comment box when checking out or
hit reply and email us to "Hold until May 1" - we will check
with you in May before we ship.
SALE :: SALE :: SALE :: SALE :: SALE :: SALE ::
Get 20% off right now on all:
- Accessories,
- Books &
- Patio materials!
Type the code: GET-READY-22
in the discount code box during checkout
and 20%
will be taken off at checkout.
~> $20 minimum!
Offer expires soon! :o)
For Mini Garden Gazette subscribers ONLY!
Our instant download Peace Banner comes in three different styles.
"If you think you are too small
to make a difference,
try sleeping with a mosquito."
- Dalai Lama
In an effort to do something - we are are donate 100% of the profits of our Miniature Peace Banner toward the relief effort in Ukraine. I know it's not a lot, but - I have tried sleeping with a mosquito, I know that little things can add up to make a big difference.
We've decided to donate to the Ukraine Red Cross who are helping the relief effort inside Ukraine right now. Please send your prayers to the millions of innocent victims left without a home and garden.
Want to help the Ukrainian Relief Effort and
promote a "little" peace too?
Make two, put one up in your office!
Make three, and give one to a friend!
Feel free to buy more than one!
100% of the proceeds will be donated
to the Ukraine Red Cross.
Total to Date: $56.86
A BIG MINIATURE GARDEN
THANK YOU TO ALL
WHO HAVE PURCHASED/DONATED!
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Have a fun April Fools Day!
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Do you love our work but you're not a customer?
Did you enjoy this Mini Garden Gazette?
Your cups of coffee help to keep this
Mini Garden Gazette free and our websites
free of that annoying outside advertising
so you can focus on what counts.
Thank you for supporting the
Miniature Garden Hobby!
Janit Calvo, Self-Proclaimed Renaissance Woman
and Founder of the Miniature Garden Hobby.
We have been serving the Miniature Garden Hobby since 2001.
Shipping all year 'round from USDA Zone 7, Seattle, Washington,
in the Northwest corner of the USA.
CONTACT US ~ OTHER WAYS TO ORDER FROM OUR STORE:
~> Via Email - hit reply, (please don't email any credit card info!)
-> Via Phone - 206-352-0494 ~ We are in Seattle, 3 hours behind east coast time.
We no longer have regular office hours, please leave a message if we miss you!
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITES:
ABOUT OUR SHIPPING:
We Ship Internationally (- but not the plants!)
All shipping costs are checked by Steve and we refund any savings promptly because of our wide range of unique inventory: we ship tiny miniatures, heavy patio materials and living plants, sometimes the automatic shipping calculator "packs" the order in multiple boxes which costs more. Steve can pack better than any online shipping
calculator can - if we can save you money on shipping, we will.
~~~
We appreciate and serve everyone regardless of race, color,
gender, politics, religion or who they love.
Viva la difference!
If we were all the same, the world would be a
very, very boring place to live.
We believe in Oneness, Kindness & Love.
~~~
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