How to Make a Terrarium
We gardeners can get a bit bored in the winter time. I know that I ‘should’ be resting up and planning for the coming growing season. And I am….but I need a fix. I used to make terrariums with my grandmother when I was a kid. Its a lot of fun and a great project to do with or without kids.
Here is what you need:
Some sort of glass container, with or without a lid (the more interesting the better)- I find mine from Michael’s, nursery centers and thrift stores
Stones- for some drainage at the bottom- you can grab some from outside and use them or buy some decorative stone from a nursery center. I like pond pebbles.
Dried and/or live moss- dried moss will break down and add nutrients and also absorb some water, live moss is a pretty garden plant!
Soil- potting soil, peat, pine bark nuggets, sand or a mix of all, what you choose will depend on what plants you want. Orchids do well with wood chips, succulents with sand and stone, ferns with peat.
Plants- I will go to Sun Nurseries to get these, Robin always has some really cute little plants in the garden shop. She also has great containers for terrariums. I can also find some real cutties at Home Depot.
Trinkets- mini garden gnomes, mini ceramic mushrooms, stones carved into animals- what ever floats your boat! I like to check on Pinterest for some ideas.
It’s really easy once you gather all your materials and find a place to sit where you can create and make a mess! Maybe put some newspaper down. First you put the stone in the bottom of your container for drainage.
Making a terrarium- put stones in the bottom
Then put in your soil. Arrange your plants so that they are aesthetically pleasing (this is the hardest part)- 3 is a good number so there aren’t too many.
I often have to break plants apart, move them around, take them out and try some others. There is a lot of fussing at this stage until it all looks balanced. I like having plants at 3 different levels- high, mid and low.
Gardening under glass
Add some water and viola you are done! If you have a lid you won’t need to add much water since the condensation inside the terrarium will water itself.
Check out this pinterest board I made for inspiration!
Make a terrarium and then post your picture of it on our Facebook page!