Friday, January 11, 2008

Make a Terrarium

Happy Friday! This weekend, if you are looking for a new project to bring life into your home, try making a terrarium. With just a few materials and a little bit of time, you can create a nice decorative, living garden for your home this winter. Terrariums create an environment where water cycles through its natural process: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Jar, glass container that has a top to it (or you can also use a round vase or bowl that has a small opening)
Small rocks, pebbles, or marbles (to help drain the water from the plant roots)
Horticultural charcoal (small amount; to keep the environment fresh)
Piece of porous material, such as pantyhose, to keep the soil from settling into the gravel (optional)
Potting soil
Sheet moss
Plant(s), such as an African violets or ferns

Layer the materials
1st: the rocks
2nd: the charcoal
3rd (optional): the porous material
4th: potting soil (don't use potting soil with too much fertilizer, because it won't drain completely in the terrarium)
5th: sheet moss

Then, plant your chosen flower or plant by working around the sheet moss.
Put some more rocks or other decorative items on top of the soil.
Pour or spritz some water over the top so that the soil is moist, but not wet.
Put the lid on top of the jar and place it in a bright space, but not in direct sunlight.

Then, the next day, check to make sure moisture has developed and the cycle of evaporation and condensation has started. If you see a lot of water left in the soil, leave the top of the jar off for a while, so that it can air out.

For some more information on how to build terrariums, check out the following links:
update: poppytalk, a beautiful blog about all things homemade, posted some great examples of glass terrarium containers - check it out here!


Hilary said...

This is just what I wanted to do with an odd shaped glass container I have! Pantyhose? What a great idea! Thanks for such detailed instructions.

KaBloom of Sandy Springs said...

You are welcome! Glad the instructions helped - or should I say that they may help with your glass container :) Would love to know how it turns out when you are finished!