Terrarium Inspiration - Indoor Winter Gardening! - Garden Plants and Gardening Forum

smgardener · 11-26-2007, 09:19 PM

I came across a post about Terrariums on the Life in Sugar Hollow blog, which got me thinking about how a Terrarium would make a great indoor winter gardening project.

Terrariums seem to beg for decoration, like this bird's nest terrarium:

Everyone loves a gratuitous unicorn. I'm thinking of creating a badge for people who find good unicorn iconography and post it to The Grow Spot. Wouldn't you post to have a cool 'unicorn' badge associated with your profile

A cactus Terrarium:

I love the tiny mushrooms in this one:

That's a filbert shell decorating this one:

Building your own Terrarium is pretty simple. This article tells you how to do it, but basically, you start with any old interesting glass or pyrex container.

Quote:

The next step is to begin building your terrarium. First, place a layer of pea gravel or aquarium rocks in the bottom of your container for drainage. Over that, put about 1/2-inch layer of horticultural charcoal to keep the soil from developing a rotten smell. Over the charcoal, you have the option of placing Sphagnum moss to keep soil from getting into the drainage area. Now add about 1/2inch of relatively dry soil to your terrarium, dry enough so that it won't stick to the sides. You might want to add hills or slopes to add interest to your terrarium. The easiest way to add these materials to your terrarium is with a large kitchen spoon.

As described in a National Geographic piece for kids, it's even easier:

Quote:

Wash the glass container in hot, soapy water. Rinse and dry completely.
Create a one-inch (2.5-centimeter) layer of stones on the bottom of the jar.
Add a half-inch (1.3-centimeter) of charcoal.
Spoon in a two- to three-inch (5.1- to 7.6-centimeter) layer of potting soil. (Pile soil higher on one side to make plants visible from a side view.) Dig small holes for the roots.
Take plants out of their pots, remove extra soil from the roots, and trim damaged leaves. While the roots are still moist, place the plants in the holes and pat soil over the roots. Place taller plants in the back. Dampen the soil. Do not overwater.
Decorate with pretty rocks, animal figurines, or a garden gnome. Place in indirect sunlight. Add water when your terrarium gets dry.

For more inspiration, I recommend also checking out Sarahivy's Terrarium page on Flickr.

What do your terrariums look like? Post pictures below!

kayt · 11-29-2007, 04:15 AM

I can't wait to get started on a new project, this looks perfect for Christmas presents.

lulugardens · 11-29-2007, 10:34 AM

I would LOVE to get one of these as a holiday gift. These are awesome. I'm personally putting together little potted herb gardens for a few people on my gift list this year.

I'm curious to know how putting together these terrariums turn out for you. So, please come back and post about your results. If they're as easy to put together as it sounds, then they may be next year's holiday gift!

lspichkin · 04-29-2008, 11:02 AM

I just put up a link on the homepage to a site that sells all kinds of garden related stuff, including terrariums. I like the the looks of their terrarium with the pretty glass cloche top.

jeffnyc · 04-12-2009, 12:24 PM

May I suggest mixing charcoal into the soil to keep it fresh? Plant roots really seem to like the charcoal and it keeps the terrarium even fresher.

also, moss seems to love coir, mixed into the soil with a layer about 1/2" - 1" thick on top of the soil.

smgardener · 04-14-2009, 09:40 AM

Nice tip jeffnyc. thanks!

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Digg - Terrarium Inspiration - Indoor Winter Gardening Ideas (with Photos)	This thread	Refback	11-12-2008 10:00 PM
The Common Room: Terrariums	This thread	Refback	10-16-2008 04:36 PM
Gift Ideas at Kaboodle	This thread	Refback	12-15-2007 09:59 PM
Terrarium Inspiration - Indoor Winter Gardening! review at Kaboodle	This thread	Refback	12-15-2007 02:07 AM
StumbleUpon » digits's web site reviews and blog	This thread	Refback	11-28-2007 09:20 AM
StumbleUpon » Buzz	This thread	Refback	11-28-2007 08:14 AM
Terrarium Inspiration	This thread	Refback	11-28-2007 07:36 AM
StumbleUpon » edgeoforever's web site reviews and blog	This thread	Refback	11-28-2007 06:09 AM
StumbleUpon » jama51's web site reviews and blog	This thread	Refback	11-28-2007 04:13 AM
Digg - Terrarium Inspiration - Indoor Winter Gardening Ideas (with Photos)	This thread	Refback	11-27-2007 10:44 PM

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11-29-2007, 04:15 AM	#2
kayt Green Gardener Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1	I can't wait to get started on a new project, this looks perfect for Christmas presents.

11-29-2007, 10:34 AM	#3
lulugardens Green Thumb Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 36 Blog Entries: 6 Images: 3	I would LOVE to get one of these as a holiday gift. These are awesome. I'm personally putting together little potted herb gardens for a few people on my gift list this year. I'm curious to know how putting together these terrariums turn out for you. So, please come back and post about your results. If they're as easy to put together as it sounds, then they may be next year's holiday gift!

04-29-2008, 11:02 AM	#4
lspichkin Administrator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Hollywood, CA Posts: 216 Images: 88	I just put up a link on the homepage to a site that sells all kinds of garden related stuff, including terrariums. I like the the looks of their terrarium with the pretty glass cloche top.

04-12-2009, 12:24 PM	#5
jeffnyc Green Gardener Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	May I suggest mixing charcoal into the soil to keep it fresh? Plant roots really seem to like the charcoal and it keeps the terrarium even fresher. also, moss seems to love coir, mixed into the soil with a layer about 1/2" - 1" thick on top of the soil.

04-14-2009, 09:40 AM	#6
smgardener Grounds Keeper Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Blog Entries: 9 Images: 10	Nice tip jeffnyc. thanks!