Mini Alpine Garden

Hello all, I thought it would be really nice to spend more time in my garden. I heard that gardening is great for promoting good mental and physical health. 

Being outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air was really good. 

So, feeling inspired to do something cute in the garden, me and my husband went to our local hardware store. We got a little self assembly raised bed kit. Then we popped over to our local garden centre for a few selected plants, stones  and compost. 

Once home, I painted the panels of the wooden self assembly raised bed kit. I used a wood preserver paint. Then, once dried, we assembled the frame of the kit. Next, we used a staplegun to attach a weed proof membrane onto the bottom of the raised bed before digging it into the lawn. Cue a much needed coffee break. 

After our coffee break, we filled a wheelbarrow with equal parts 1:1 ratio of grit and compost. We then transferred the soil mix into the raised bed. 

Another coffee break later and I began to fill my little raised bed. 

I planted a beautiful mixture of alpine shrubs and succulents.  

I divided the bed into sections, separating each corner using wooden branches cut to size. That way each raised corner is higher in elevation compared to the rest. This gives depth and dimension to the bed, adds interest and makes the plants 'pop' when viewed. 

I added a pile of stones on one corner, which I think is a nice visual point of interest. They are carefully selected to 'pile' up from larger at the bottom to smaller at the top. 

I added some of my hand painted rocks too, can you spot my lady bird stones?

Next, I need to add tiny gravel stones all over. Covering all the exposed areas of the raised bed, so it looks neater and prettier.   

I am going back to the garden centre tomorrow to get a little terracotta pot and matching saucer. I plan on making a decorative mini bird feeder. This is made by turning the pot upside down, and attaching the saucer on top. Then the top can be filled with bird seed. Or it could be filled with water. Or it can just be filled with coloured glass pebbles...I haven't decided yet....but I will keep you all updated with photos when I carry out those finishing touches.