This Tiny Project Makes My Backyard Feel Like a Dreamy Fairy-Tale Escape

Over the past few years, my husband and I have worked diligently to completely transform our backyard from a forgotten dumping ground full of weeds and (literal) garbage to a sprawling landscape that our family can enjoy. Now that most of the landscaping and gardening is behind us, I’ve been focusing my energy on adding character and charm to the space — little pockets of fun and whimsy that will make the garden feel like our own.

One of my favorite projects so far has also been one of the easiest: a whimsical little fairy garden nestled in an old whiskey barrel planter. It brings nostalgic childhood wonder to our garden, and my inner child has been loving it (along with my two daughters, of course).

The idea to add a fairy garden to our backyard occurred to me last year while browsing my local garden center. Two dwarf hosta varieties caught my eye, and as I was admiring their adorable miniature leaves, I thought, these would be perfect for a miniature garden. A quick Pinterest search is all it took to cement the idea in my mind: a fairy garden it is!

Creating the fairy garden was super easy. I’ve tackled a lot of DIYs in my time, and this one tops the list in terms of simplicity. Once the threat of frost in my area had passed in the early spring, I set out to craft the garden. I had an old whiskey barrel planter from Home Depot that I wasn’t using for anything, so I decided it would be the perfect host for the fairy garden. 

Since I knew I wanted the shade-loving miniature hosta varieties featured in the garden, I made sure to position the planter in a shady spot in my yard. I opted to put it at the base of a large pine tree beside our patio. This lent itself well to incorporating other shade-loving plants, such as delicate and whimsical ferns, which I think are the perfect vibe for fairy gardens. I also added a purple oxalis plant to the planter, which adds some color. Then, I added some mulch to help prevent weeds and retain moisture in the soil (less watering for me!).

There are so many options when it comes to fairy garden decor, but for my first year with the garden, I opted to keep it simple. Luckily, Dollar Tree had my back here. I found a huge selection of fairy garden decorations, including houses, ceramic mushrooms, signs, and accessories, for just a few dollars each. My daughters and I chose the pieces out together and added them to the planter. I also decided to add a fairy garden door to the base of the large tree next to the barrel, because, why not? It’s just too cute! 

The finishing touches came in the form of a tiny stone pathway and a few patches of moss I’m attempting to introduce to the barrel. By complete chance, the whiskey barrel planter started sprouting mushrooms of its own! I guess some mushroom spores found a home in the moisture of the wood and soil, and I’m loving the authentic woodland touch it’s adding to the whole scene. I can just envision the fairies dancing across the top of the mushroom caps or taking a rest beneath them.

If you’re interested in creating a fairy garden, I’d highly recommend it! The best part about this twee little project is its versatility — there’s no wrong way to make a fairy garden, and there’s a fairy garden to suit any landscape. Even if you’re limited to a patio with container gardens, you can make a little hideaway fit for fairies.

I’d recommend starting by choosing where you want your fairy garden to be, conducting research on the plants you want to add, and then turning to decor last. You can buy decor online or in person at places like Dollar Tree or Aldi, or you can make it yourself if you’re feeling crafty. Popsicle sticks will be your best friend if you want to attempt some miniature DIYs. 

As for me, I’ve got grand plans for my little fairy garden. Eventually, I’d love to expand on the little fairy door at the base of the tree — I’m thinking a winding staircase around the trunk leading to a small balcony — and add some more DIY pieces to the barrel garden. For now, however, my family is happy to enjoy the magic this easy DIY project has brought to a previously forgotten corner of our garden.