Hi all!

I've tried several ways of making a "river" running through my outdoor fairy garden, but every time the river sinks into the soil beneath it. How is it done?

I live in Nashville and we get a lot of rain and storms throughout the year, so that might be the problem. My fairy garden isn't in a container, it's in a flower bed so I can't bring it in when it rains.

Here's what I've tried (all blue, of course):
flat glass pebbles directly on the soil and surrounded by mulch (pebbles sunk into soil)
aluminum foil under the river of blue glass pebbles (aluminum breaks up and looks bad after a couple weeks)

I've placed black garden fabric under the fairy garden now, but it is covered with mulch. Should I have a different ground cover? I want to try to make a river with blue sand but there's no way it'll stay put even with the black fabric under it.

At this point I don't mind whether or not I use glass pebbles or sand. I just want to to stay put. How do people do this?

Thanks!

You could try to glue the rocks and/or sand to the black landscape cloth with an outdoor adhesive like clear Silicone caulk. I haven't tried it yet, but intend to first chance I get.

I personally would try mixing some concrete plaster, pour it between two curving pieces of plastic border right on top of the dirt and then either sprinkling some blue sand or placing the blue glass stones into the concrete before it sets up.

I made a concrete miniature patio and posted the info/photos in this article to give you idea as to what I am talking about: http://garden.org/ideas/view/b...

I'm in the same dilemma with my outdoor mini/table top garden.

The thread "Well it's a start..." in Miniature Gardening forum

I was told to mix Elmers Exterior Glue with builders sand. Builders sand doesn't shift like other sands do. Use this mixture as a base for your blue sand or blue glass pebbles. I still think at least in my case I'm going to need a "river bank" or something similar to keep the soil on the sides from spilling into the river.

If you want to make a river for real water what I would do is get some sort of PVC piping or other plastic container and cut it in half longways. Then depending on what kind of plastic container/pipe you use I would attach brackets or something to the side so that when you dig out the place you will put the river/pond you can drive garden pins or metal stakes through it to secure it in place. Then you can cover the bottom with pebbles or even moss! That would be fun!!

If you want an artificial pond the easiest way I have found is two part clear cast resin like the "Amazing" brand at craft store. Color it with few drops of alcohol ink or mix with blue glass pebbles and then pour resin into silicon mold or in a translucent container like a 2 liter bottle, milk jug, etc.

FYI I actually retail and make handmade fairy miniatures and love doing custom work. If you ever have an idea and want something made give me a shout.

Guys! I just joined looking for a way to make my own river. In reading some suggestions I came up with this idea in my head. Would this work!??? On top of a silicone sheet paper, (like what you bake on), take very small pebbles or what you want to use to make a river and shape it in the way you want it to come out. Then trying not to disturb it squeeze silicone caulk all over the pebbles. When dry flip it over. Then place where you want it. How about that!? If not I will keep thinking too.

Donna -

I don't know if it would work. The only way to know is for someone to try it.

So... Last year I had a fairy garden and had a stone river. I put a piece of fairly heavy plastic underneath and had it with a curve. I used different color blue and clear glass stones. The common problem... the dirt and mulch fell in. What if I dug the "river trench", put down an artificial sheet of flat moss and have it go up the embankment a couple of inches. Then I can put the stones in the river trench (on top on the moss). Then at the top of the embankment, you could put regular stone or, little plants. That could cover the edges of the moss sheet. Any thoughts?

I have a fairly large fairy garden next to a big tree. I have a few different area's of the garden. An english garden theme, A native American theme and gnome theme.

@kimmc1225 Glad to have you!

Beautiful mini gardens!

I might try clay. Once baked, it would hold its shape .Itd be easy to install ,and if I put a thick seal over it,it would probably hold water even .

@Lbray Glad to have you too!

I would use a clear cast.

You could even add bubbles to it by design if you wanted.

LargeMarge19 said:I would use a clear cast.

You could even add bubbles to it by design if you wanted.

@LargeMarge19 ! Glad to have you!

Excellent suggestion!

What about using that lawn edging stuff? Probably not very pretty though. You could pour it in a little concrete and set the blue stones into it while it's still wet, that way you could use a paint brush and sweep debris off of it from time to time. It would be able to with stand winters and rainfall long term also.

Boy, there are lots of fantastic ideas here!

bloominholes2fill said:

@LargeMarge19 ! Glad to have you!

Excellent suggestion!

Thanks!

Let me know how it turns out if you decide to try it!

I use Alumilite Clear Cast, it's available in stores or on-line. (Not sure if you have Hobby Lobbys where you are).

In my mind I picture adding blue food coloring to it for a sky blue. Oh I really hope you try it.

This is what I did and it's going on year 3 that it's been outside. I used toilet paper and glue on top of parchment paper. That gave me a rippling effect. I shaped it like I wanted and let it dry. Then I got several different blue colors of nail polish to color it with and then used a clear coat. When it rains it makes my river bendable and I can shape it on hills or down a waterfall and it will dry in that shape. It hasn't come apart at all. The different shades created depth. I got my idea from a guy on you tube making a diorama (sp). It's not as perfect as epoxy but it's bendable and I can move it to other areas and bend it to fit (when it's wet). This photo isn't the best but gives you an idea.

kbrunsing - That looks awesome! What a great idea! Thank you for sharing the information and the photo! I love it!

Hi & welcome, @kbrunsing ! What a great result, thank you for sharing the info and pic!