ONE WAY TO SHAKE OFF THE DREARY WINTER BLUES IS TO DO A LITTLE GARDENING – INDOORS
Again, Happy 2026 to all of you. I am excited about 2026 and what this year has in store for us gardeners. I mentioned this earlier this month: 2026 is our nation’s 250th birthday. Let your creative juices flow with ideas for how you want to celebrate our birthday. And, you can do something indoors with a terrarium.
This coming Saturday, January 17th, is our 17th annual KIDS DAY IN THE GARDEN event. What a fun time for everyone: kids, parents, & staff. As part of the festivities, we will be offering free terrarium making to all the kids. This is one way to get our kids exposed to plants. We now live in a world where technology is changing our lives and how we live. We need to continue to teach the younger generation to learn and appreciate plants and what they mean to our survival. And, making a small terrarium is one small step. I personally invite you all to come see us on Saturday, January 17th.
MAKING A TERRARIUM
Making a terrarium is a perfect indoor winter project. Miniature gardens can be created in goldfish bowls, aquariums, or in glass or heavy clear plastic water-tight containers.
The idea of the terrarium is not something new. Terrarium making comes from the efforts of the Victorian naturalists to bring new plant specimens back to England from their travels. A London surgeon named Ward discovered that plants and seeds could be grown or transported in large sealed glass jars. The 19th century jump from growing exotics for study to growing exotics in ornamental glass containers was the start of the contemporary decorative terrariums we know today.
STEPS TO MAKE A TERRARIUM
Whether you put one specimen plant in the center of a glass bowl, or many plants, follow these simple steps below to create and maintain your own miniature landscape.
- Select a container. Glass is my preference. And, a larger opening is easier to work with than a narrow bottle neck.
- A very light potting medium is best. We have the Espoma Potting Mix that will be perfect. A layer of horticultural charcoal in the bottom of the container will help prevent the smell of stagnant water that can occur when water stands a long time.
- Select plants that require similar care requirements – especially when it comes to sunlight requirements and water. In other words, don’t plant succulents with ferns.
- Once the plants are planted, give the terrarium its initial watering. Misting is good way to water. Misting will both clean the leaves of the plants and moisten the soil. Too much water can create a soggy environment that may cause root rot.
- Place your terrarium in a bright location – not necessarily in direct sunlight.,
- Prune or replace plants as they outgrow your design or the size of the terrarium.
Come see us. We’ll show you our selection of pixie plants to use in terrarium making. We pride ourselves with our selection.
HAPPY “INDOOR” GARDENING