Too much snow?
Garden in miniature. Terrarium gardens help relieve the stress from all that white stuff.
Here’s a recipe.
Terrarium Supplies:
• Glass jar with wide-enough opening to get your hand in
• Gravel or small stones – enough to fill bottom of jar to 1 inch depth – about a thumb
• Sphagnum moss
• Gardener’s charcoal – same amount as gravel
• Potting soil – enough to bring the soil level about 1/3 to 1/2 way up the jar.
• Small plants that thrive in warm, moist environment
• Miniature ornaments to complete the natural scene.

Certain plants make better choices for terrariums because they have interesting texture forms and need humidity.
Making the Terrarium (The Steps)
- Put a one inch layer of stones in the bottom of your jar.
- Next place a thin layer of sphagnum moss to keep the soil from filling the spaces between stones.
- Now add the charcoal to help filter decaying leaves.
- Fill the container about 1/4 full of potting soil.
- Remove the 2 – 3 plants from their plastic pots and arrange them in your terrarium. Not too packed! Plants need room to grow.
- Move the plants around looking for a design you like.
- Once you decide you like it, add potting soil around the plants and gently tap it down so it is firm and the plants are supported.
- Water gently until the stones are covered with water.
- Cover your jar with wax paper and a rubber band. Add a pretty bow if it’s a gift!
- Put the terrarium in a place with moderate or occasional sunlight.
Caring for Your Terrarium
As beads of water form (or condense) under the paper, your plants will enjoy “rain”. If no water forms after a day, open the terrarium and add a little more water. A terrarium is really easy to care for. Look at the bottom of the terrarium. If there is water among the stones then you should not water it for a few days. As the plants grow, you’ll want to give them a “trim” occasionally with sharp scissors to keep them to size.