So, for us, the best way to catch a fairy is to go where the fairies go. Even though we aren't in the meadows, we can still look for them. Fairies do indeed enjoy playing tricks on humans, so we know they are always around. We just have to know where to find them. Best places to look will be in the gardens. But not just any garden, we must find the fairy gardens. They must not be too neat, nor too orderly. Fairies don't like what we call order, so if the flowers are all in a row, all separated by color, and neatly groomed, we move on. That looks like a human garden. Then they'll put all kinds of sprays and fertilizers on them, that makes things taste terrible to fairies. We're looking for the natural gardens, a bit overgrown, a bit wild. Fairies do make a mess when they come to play so they would have to feel that it's all right to make a small mess. So we must look for those. They are very hard to find, as most people don't think about the fairy folk as they go about making a garden. They make human gardens.
Since fairy gardens are so hard to find, it's best to start your own. That way you can make sure it's the kind of garden that will attract a fairy. Fairies are also creatures of habit, so if you can get them to come to the garden, and they see it's a garden where they are welcome, they will keep coming back. When fairies need things, they don't go to the store, they go to the garden. So you will need to plant what they need. For clothing, you will need to plant Cowslips, and Daffodils, and Roses. For food, they love strawberries and tomatoes. Any fruit and vegetables work, except broccoli. Even fairies won't eat broccoli.
Then we will need to put in plants like Honeysuckle, Nasturtium, and Poppies for them to make their teas. We'll need Yarrow, Milkweed and Fox-gloves for their potions, when they have had too much tea and strawberries. When you start to see butterflies and hummingbirds coming to the gardens, you know you are off to a good start.
And of course we will need to put things in the garden for them to sit on. If you have doll furniture, you can use that. But twigs, logs, and small rocks will work. Lots of pots and planters mixed in give plenty of hiding spaces for a shy fairy. All fairies are shy until they know you are fairy-friendly. If you want to be a really gracious host, put out a small house. You will also want to leave small trinkets, and strings laying about, for all fairies need trinkets. And everyone needs a piece of string once in awhile. Fairies also love small statues and decorations about. Wind chimes are a must, for fairies love music. It's best if you can have running water through the garden, a small brook or even a fountain. But if not, be sure to leave out dishes of water, or perhaps a bird bath. If they have to, a fairy will use a bird bath. They would prefer a small tub in a private place, and be sure the water stays fresh. You will have to change it often. A fairy won't bathe in dirty water.
If the garden is right, and the host is friendly, a fairy just might move in. Even if you don't see it, you will know a fairy has moved in. There will be a magic about the garden. The flowers will be brighter, the birds will sing louder. A garden that is tended to by fairies is magical indeed. You will start to find misplaced toys somehow end up in the garden. You will hear laughter in the breeze. If the fairy is particularly happy in your garden, they will leave crystals and shiny rocks around as a gift for the host. Fairy stones make the finest, most cherished treasure.
And once a fairy has moved into your garden, other animals will start to be seen. They will see the yard is safe enough for fairies, and they will know they are safe too. Birds will nest in your plants, butterflies will dance across the yard. Frogs will sun themselves on a rock. If you are going to attract fairies, you had better be ready for the rest of nature that fairies bring with them. It's just the habit of fairies to return things to nature, so you will see this happen. When it does, don't disturb or chase off the insects or creepy crawlies. The best advice is if it won't hurt a fairy, it won't hurt you. We will have to beware of snakes and hawks, but other than that, most creatures are actually fairy helpers The trick to a real fairy garden is that all of nature must be welcomed and understood. It can take years to grow a proper fairy garden.
After we go through all that, you know what will happen? By the time you become expert enough to attract fairies to your garden, you will no longer want to catch one. You will be content to while away the summer evenings having tea and potions with them instead. You will be content to just while away the magic hours in a fairy garden with your fairy. You may find out, that you are the one who has been caught.
Love You Bunches,
Uncle Mike
See how this years garden is shaping up; The Fairy Garden
The first telling of this story took place over a golden summer many years ago. This is a condensed version, but I think I got all the major points covered. Any princess, or experienced fairy hunter is welcome to correct me, and add any tips.
