There's nothing like those first warm days of spring, when all you want to do is spend every moment in the garden. Every spring feels like a fresh start, when it comes to gardening.
If you're feeling that desire to transform your bit of earth into a magical paradise, here are some inspiring ideas that add a bit of fun and whimsy to any garden space.
Sweet little simple touches make it more fun to spend time in the garden, and more time in the garden is good for both body and soul!
1. Coconut Shell Fairy Toadstools

These sweet little toadstools are made from coconut shells!
They use nontoxic paint, so they're safe for the garden, and any curious critters that come along. I just love the interesting texture that the coconut shells offer to the toadstool caps!
Get the tutorial here.
2. Golf Ball Ladybugs
How cute is this google-eyed lady bug?
This would be a really fun project to do with the kids. They can help make the little lady bugs, and then tuck them into the garden. Another idea would be to hide the ladybug in a different garden place each day, and turn the kids loose to look for it!
Get the tutorial here.
3. Bottle Cap Flowers
These sweet little flowers are made from old bottle caps!
Sweet and cheerful, they offer an unexpected touch to the garden. A fun thing here is that you can go with any colors you like, so consider making them to match your garden gate, or other decorative elements you'd like to tie all together.
Get the tutorial here.
4. DIY Gazing Balls
The way these little gazing balls catch the light and make it glimmer is just delightful.
Made from simple little decorative glass "stones" that you can find in any craft store, they're fun and easy to make. I like how the tutorial walks you through putting them on a stick, to raise them up a bit, because as the garden grows, it's easy to lose sight of fun features that are low to the ground.
Get the tutorial here.
5. Painted Rock Garden Markers
Brightly painted rocks are such a fun way to remember where you've planted things!
These are especially handy early in the season, before all your seedlings are up, or when they're still small and all look alike!
Get the tutorial here.
6. Adorable Little Gnomes
Oh my goodness, that little gnome face. Gnomes seem everywhere right now, but gardens are their true domain.
They're also surprisingly easy to make yourself, if you just follow a tutorial step by step. This one is super cute, and there's also a concrete version, if you want to make sure your gnome lasts for years.
Get the tutorial here.
7. Pathway Lights
Gardens can be just as beautiful after dark, as they are during the day. Adding a little light to the garden has never been easier, now that solar garden lights are so easily available.
Putting solar lights along the walkway is a good entry-level way to add some light to your garden, and they'll make sure you don't trip as you get to know your garden "after hours".
8. Branch Ladders
Rough and twisty branches add such a fun element to a garden. I love how this is kind of like the idea of a "blanket ladder", but for plants.
Use interesting looking branches, and get out the drill and screwdriver, for a whimsical vertical element you'll really enjoy. The rungs on this also offer a great perch for songbirds visiting the garden!
Get the tutorial here.
9. Add a Little "Junk Art"
I just love this silly little owl, made from an old cheese grater. As time goes along, it's bound to get rusty in all the right places, just adding to his charm.
Done well, junk art can really add an artistic and whimsical element to the garden, that just makes anyone smile.
Get the tutorial here.
10. Garden Fountains
What I love about having a fountain in the garden, is that it doesn't just add visual beauty, but pleasant sound as well. There's something about the sound of water than just makes the air feel a little cooler on a hot day.
A fountain adds an element to a garden that's just refreshing, playful, and joyful. If you don't want to add wiring to run electricity for a fountain, don't let that stop you. Solar fountain inserts are inexpensive, and work well to get that water bubbling away!
11. Put a Swing in the Garden
If you have space, and a good tree, consider adding a swing right in the garden.
This doesn't have to be a swing with wide open spaces where you let loose and see how high you can go...even a small space can be enough, if you think of this more like a hanging bench. It's a sweet spot to sit and enjoy the lush landscape you've worked so hard on!
Get the tutorial here.
12. Garden Markers From Old Spoons
Garden markers are just such a easy and practical way to add personality to a garden, so you're getting more than one garden marker suggestion here.
I love these spoons, because they offer a nice big writing surface. There's plenty of space to make them unique, and if you want to add additional plant details on the back, you've got room for that too.
Get the tutorial here.
13. Little Fairy Doors
There's nothing like walking though a beautiful garden, then looking down and noticing a teeny tiny door.
I love the whimsy of fairy gardens, and a little door like this is a great way to bring that element right into even the most pragmatic and productive of vegetable gardens.
Get the tutorial here.
14. Wood Burned Twig Garden Markers
I love the look of wood burning, and these little twig twig markers are a great way to go if you're looking to keep all of the elements in your garden as natural as possible.
They hold up really well, since that wood burning doesn't fade, so you can use these year after year.
Get the tutorial here.
15. Add a Garden Pond
If you've got the room for it, consider turning a little piece of your garden into a water garden.
With all the garden pond kits that are available, it's never been easier to install a small pond, and you'll be amazed at the additional birds you see, once that water is there to attract them.
16. Bird Baths
Speaking of birds, even a simple bird bath is a joyful little garden element that also benefits our feathered friends.
Watching a bird take a vigorous bath in even just an inch or two of water will put a smile on anyone's face. Bird baths don't just benefit the birds, too--they offer a welcome source of water for native pollinators.
17. Wind Chimes
I think that people fall into two camps. Those who adore wind chimes, and those who just really don't.
If you're in the former group, the garden is a great place to indulge that love of tinkling little sounds. From heavy clay versions that let off deeper notes, to wooden chimes with a hollow sound, to tinkly metal chimes...there are so many options to choose from!
18. Garden Gates
Garden gates are such a great way to add unique personality to any garden. To me, a garden gate isn't for keeping people out, it's a fun way to welcome anyone in.
From simple wood to elaborate up-cycle projects, there's so much creative inspiration out there for garden gates.
19. Create a Garden Path
It's easy to lay down a mulch or gravel path through a garden, and certainly that does the trick for keeping weeds out of the paths.
Consider taking it up a step though, by adding cobblestones, river rock, or another type of paver, to add a little definition to the paths, as they wend their way through your garden. I love the simple, narrow look of this cobbled path.
20. Plant a Rose Bush
There's just nothing more sweet and whimsical than a rose bush, and there's no good reason you can't tuck one into even a practical vegetable garden.
The scent of roses just uplifts the whole surrounding, and makes you want to spend more time gardening nearby. I especially love the look of old fashioned English style roses, but any rose is a joy to have in a garden!
21. Garden Bench
Once you've made your beautiful garden into a joyful, whimsical wonderland that you never want to leave, be sure to finish it off with a comfortable garden bench, so you can rest and enjoy it!
Put it somewhere that lets you see the whole garden (or at least your favorite parts of it), and where the sun won't be in your eyes during the time of day you're likely to use it. You may be surprised how much time you spend on that bench, once it's there!
Anna Chesley
Anna Chesley is a freelance writer living a homestead lifestyle, with a special love for family travel, old books, vintage skills, and seaside living. In addition to founding Salt In My Coffee, she runs the website, New England Family Life, as well as The 1800's Housewife, a website devoted to re-creating authentic 1800's recipes.
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