Terrariums: A Winter Garden

Imagine a minature gardenscape in a beautiful glass bowl in your home. A scene with ferns, mosses, blooming plants, stones and tiny figures, if you choose. It's easy, inexpensive and a fun project for adults and children. And, you can make a terrarium in less than an hour!

Any clear, glass container will work, from a small bowl, to one with a pedestal or an old aquarium. Check out discount stores, consignment shops and flea markets to find what'll work for you. The size and shape of your container will determine the number of plants you purchase. The plants you'll use are generally small houseplants which can be purchased for a couple of dollars. Design your garden outside the container. It's much easier to move items around on a tabletop than inside the jar or bowl.

Supplies: Glass container, plants, small pebbles, charcoal, potting soil and sand, if you wish. Hint: Tongs might be helpful to get plants into containers with small necks.

Wear gloves.

1.Sprinkle the pebbles into the container to cover the base.

2. Add a layer of charcoal (found in garden shops and aquarium stores). Mix the pebbles and charcoal together.

3. Add a 2-3 inch layer of potting soil and tamp it down.

4. Dig a pocket in the soil for each plant. Place the plant in the pocket and firm the soil around it. Make sure no roots are exposed. Water the plants lightly in place.

5. Complete your design by adding stones, sea shells, figurines, etc.

Location is key to success. Terrariums should not be placed in direct sunlight. Indirect light is best. An east or west facing window, away from the burning rays of the sun, is a good choice.

If the terrarium is open at the top, you may need to water it once a week. If it's covered, it will need water less often. Open the lid every 10-14 days to allow it to air out for one half a day. Don't fertilize! The goal is to keep the plants dwarf. Tend your glass garden by pruning, as needed, removing spent blooms and dividing.

Plant suggestions: Shade loving plants like ferns, spike or club moss, ivies, orchids, african violets, begonias and even carnivorous plants.

Let loose your imagination!

January/February 2010 Yankee Magazine, pg 70: 'Winter Green -For houseplants without the hassle, grow them in a terrarium' by Tovah Martin

For more suggestions, plans and photos, pick up a copy of 'The New Terrarium: Creating Beautiful Displays for Plants and Nature' by Tovah Martin and Kindra Clineff (Clarkson Potter, $25.)

Credits: Photo (top left) by Kerry Michaels. 

Comments

[Liz Charest]

Thanks Kari! I was just at a friends house in Spencer and she has a beautiful terrarium that I was admiring. She does a simpler one, with very little dirt and mostly moss. She uses plants that she finds on her woodsy property including some tiny winter berry plants with little red berries on them. She also had oxalis that was blooming! I am so inspired!

[kari]

Sounds beautiful, Liz! Can't wait to gather my supplies and give it a try.