It’s a tale as old as time; a mossy hollow, bonsai trees two decades old, and gnomes peeking out to say hello. The fairy garden, one of the highlights of Kinderton Village on Rosewalk Lane, comes to life with the magical care of Kim and Jim Goss! I had a wonderful interview with Kim herself, and got some amazing answers about her work on the fairy garden.

 

“Happy Hollow” Fairy Garden Interview with Kim Goss

October 5, 2025

 

Q: What made you decide to create a fairy garden?

A: That is a good story. My husband, Jim, and I moved into our house on Rosewalk in January, 2024. Almost immediately, the neighbors asked if we were going to continue the fairy garden. I didn’t even know what a fairy garden was, so I started asking questions about what the previous owners had done in the past. Many expressed how special the garden had become to them and their children. It became obvious to me that we needed to continue with it. I named it “Happy Hollow”.

 

Q: Who were the original creators of the garden?

A: Jay and Connie Grundmeyer first developed the garden several years ago, laying

out a miniature landscape with bonsai-type trees and shrubs, rock formations, ponds

and ferns with a ground cover of Irish moss. Two of the largest trees in the garden are

two decades old. They changed the garden out seasonally.

 

Q: Did you have help getting the fairy garden restarted?

A: Yes! Neighbors were very helpful in describing the items they enjoyed seeing in the garden. Two very special helpers, Charlie Woodall and Taaron Carrier, offered to help repopulate the garden with the items I found at thrift shops, antique stores, ebay, and Amazon. Both contributed pieces they found as well. During this time period, I also met Jenna Harding, who already had a fairy garden and she gave me a lot of great ideas and tips. Jenna and I continue to share ideas with each other. Shyanne Woodall repainted several donated items.

 

Q: Does the garden require much maintenance?

A: Like with any garden, weather, heat and cold all affect the plantings. Weeds grow up through the Irish moss and have to be removed. The miniature trees and shrubs need to be trimmed on a regular basis. Rain and wind will sometimes play havoc with the figures in the garden, and repairs and repainting have to be done.

 

Q: What do you like best about the fairy garden?

A: This is an easy question to answer. We enjoy meeting and talking with the children

and adults that come by to look. The garden has helped us to get to know our

community.

 

Q: The garden is currently decorated for fall and Halloween. What will the next

seasonal change be?

A: We will be going from fall straight into the Christmas season by doing a special exhibit of the artist Jim Shore and his work depicting the Nativity. After Christmas, the garden will go into hibernation (yes, gnomes do hibernate in the winter). We will use January and February to do repairs and cleaning and be ready for the spring season.

 

 

This wonderful fairy garden inspired me to create my own fairy garden on North Forke Drive! The old owners of the fairy garden house generously donated some of their old pieces for me to use.   Those items have really made my garden grow. I continue to be inspired by both the magical work that they left behind and the magic that Kim has continued to add.

 

As my family and I walk around Kinderton Village, the fairy garden always makes our day when we walk by. The excitement of seeing new gnomes, or maybe a few new houses or critters peeking out to say hello, puts huge smiles on our faces. The amazing work and talent of Kim and Jim Goss shine out to all people of KV. Thank you so much for all you guys do! It really makes Kinderton Village a better place.

 

If you are inspired by all this work and want to make your own special fairy gardens, here are some tips and tricks!