Michigan is a great place for growing fruits and vegetables. Creating unique outdoor spaces is also an enjoyable pastime. The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) contains a variety of articles to help everyone design outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed throughout Michigan’s beautiful seasons.
Tiny worlds where creatures live in huts and under mushrooms are fun to create and add whimsy to any yard—large or small. They can even be placed in containers such as flowerpots, buckets, or wheelbarrows. PolymerCAFE Magazine in Hobbies & Crafts Source includes a series of how-to articles for building fairy garden accessories such as a birdbath, a fairy house, and a swing. The eBook Public Library Collection has an elementary guide, Super Simple Fairy Gardens: A Kids’ Guide to Gardening, that demonstrates how to create and care for fairy, beach, and animal gardens in containers.
While Michigan is known for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, inspiration for creating your own sculpture garden can be found in Hobbies & Crafts Source. The Potters Guild, a studio in Ann Arbor, recently held a 70th anniversary celebration. "Nature Collaboration" in Ceramics Monthly describes the process of creating their outdoor display. Included photographs of the sculptures demonstrate a variety of artists’ visions. For educators, Arts & Activities includes "Indoor Sculpture Garden." The author shares a 3D Artist Research Guide and information about how students created sculptures inspired by the artists they researched. This would be a fun programming challenge in public libraries.
Creating a rock garden might be the perfect solution to a sloped yard or a great way to save water. "A Garden that Rocks" in Old House Journal, a part of Home Improvement Source, provides the steps necessary to create a gorgeous rocky landscape that is low maintenance.
If you’re interested in trying an edible garden on a smaller scale, Mother Earth News in MasterFILE Complete suggests "Edible Theme Gardens." Growing a small plot that has salsa ingredients or snacks such as popcorn, strawberries, and peanuts can keep you busy and keep your stomach satisfied all summer long. It’s even possible to grow a garden of all edible flowers which make beautiful garnishes for any dish.
Finding inspiration to enhance yards and garden spaces in a variety of ways is easy with tips and tricks from the MeL eResources.
If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.
Brought to you by Laura Warren-Gross from the MeL Team.
Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First.
Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks.
MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.
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