Build a Terrarium!

Build a Terrarium

Think having a garden requires heavy investment?

The Bite:

Here's a laissez-faire approach: Make a terrarium. Moisture-lovin' plants thrive in these mini-ecosystems with minimal to no regular watering. Building one is a great activity for kids - and artist Kat Geigershowed us how to make one with stuff you already have, so it's not taxing on your wallet either.

The Benefits:

• Getting macro fun with micro resources. Terrariums take care of themselves by auto-recycling water, which evaporates from the plants and soil, condenses on the container, and drips back down.
• Teaching a supply-side lesson. Terrariums are a fun, easy way for kids to learn how plants work - and after the initial setup, they can just sit back and observe.
• No pricey outlays. Any old jar with a lid will work, plus a few bucks' worth of garden supplies.

Wanna Try:

Garden Pet
1 hour

What You Need:

• Clean, dry Mason jar (or similar) with lid
• 1-2 cups pea-size pebbles (for 1 qt. jar)
• 1-2 cups garden-grade charcoal
• 2-3 cups potting soil
• Chopstick
• Terrarium plant (such as tiny toad or pennywort)
• Moss to cover
• Spray bottle

Directions:

1. Add pebbles to jar until they're about a 1/2-inch deep for drainage.
2. Add a 1/2-inch layer of garden-grade charcoal on top of the pebbles. This will keep mildew and mold from growing.
3. Then add high-quality potting soil to top of charcoal layer, approximately 3/4-inch deep.
4. Using the chopstick, dig a small hole in the soil. Add the plant, then cover the roots with soil and pat down.
5. Ease moss into jar so that it surrounds your plant, and use the chopstick to push the moss into the soil.
6. Use the spray bottle to heavily mist the plant and moss, twist on the lid, and you're done.