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Are you eager to try gardening, but short on time and energy? How about making a simple dish garden?

1. Spread a layer of gravel on the bottom of a large saucer, a pie pan, or other shallow container. 
2. Place a large rock (the "mountain") on top of the gravel.
3. Add potting soil and a few small shade-loving plants. If you want, add some moss around the rock too. Fill in around each plant with soil, packing it gently, and then water the plants lightly.  
4. Add any other decorations you want, such as sand, small shells, and twigs.  
5. Put your dish garden in a northern window—one that's not in bright sun. Be sure you keep the soil moist, not sopping wet. If you have moss, mist it every few days.

Sunny Desert Scene 

1. Repeat step 1 of "Mountain Shade Garden," above. It's a good idea to use a container with holes in the bottom and a plate under it. (You could ask an adult to help you drill some holes in a plastic saucer.) This keeps your garden from staying too wet.
2. Add cactus potting mix or mix your own: Use two parts sand to one part peat moss (twice as much sand as peat moss). 
3. Add small, desert-type plants. Ask at your garden center about the best small succulents (plants that store water in their thick stems and leaves) to get. (You could plant small cactuses, but be very careful. Wear heavy gloves when handling them.)
4. Add some smooth stones, if you want, and then water your garden. (Don't water it again until the soil is very dry.) 

Tip # 1: If you put your garden outside, put it on a covered deck or porch, so heavy rain won't damage it.

Tip #2: Always get permission before digging up any plant. And never take plants or anything else from a park or wilderness area.

Death Valley 

Craft by Robin Walker
Photos by O. Louis Mazzatenta

 

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