Outdoors

[Maureen_HD_BOS]

What do gardeners do in the winter?  We long to plant! What a tease this winter has been here in New England, we had a temperature reading of 57 degrees on the 24^th of January, causing a serious spring fever.  I just wanted to get out and make things happen in the garden….but we all know better! February has just begun; there are still a couple of harsh winter months left.  The memories of the 1997, April fool’s storm still reside within the minds, and bones of Bostonians.  That date sends shivers down my spine, it was no joke!  I had to dig out flats of pansies from under snow drifts, in The Home Depot garden center.

Even though we are a hardy bunch of New Englanders, and our growing seasons aren’t long and gorgeous like some parts of the country, waiting to plant and play in the dirt is not easy. I have a small, tiny solution…a prescription for the affliction known as the “Winter Blues”, the cure; create a terrarium.

Webster defines a terrarium as: a clear or transparent container used for keeping or growing plants. My definition is a bit different: a terrarium is transparent home for plants that transports you to a world of wonder. Just gathering all the essentials that are needed for a successful, healthy, growing habitat for my plant friends has helped chase the short, unpredictable days of winter away. How wonderful it has been composing a wee garden that will sit, in its entirety, on my table or desk, within its own Eco system.

Dream up a terrarium of your own. Imagine a theme; desert, tropical, woodland, or even seaside. Children will love this inside, digging in the dirt activity. Escape to the enchanted world of terrariums!

• ·         Basic materials need to compose a terrarium:
• ·         Generous clear glass or plastic container
• ·         Horticultural Charcoal
• ·         Small stones,  glass pieces, marbles
• ·         Moss or piece of fine nylon screen
• ·         Potting soil
• ·         Embellishments
• ·         A little imagination
• 

Some suggested plants for terrarium planting; mini African Violets, Dwarf Phalaenopsis Orchids, small scale ferns, polka dot, baby tears.

Succulent plants for a desert theme;  Jade, Hens and Chicks, Haworthia and Sedum.

Enjoy every little minute in you tiny, little garden!

[Kalikasan]

I wanted to do this project but I couldn't find any Horticultural Charcoal in store. Do home depot sell this at all?

[Maureen_HD_BOS]

Hello Kaliksan! I am so happy that you want to give the terrarium a go!! I recently made mothers day terrarium with a 4th grade class in a community school..It was so much fun! I am sorry to say that The Home Depot in the northeast does not stock horticultural charcoal in store. I purchased horticultural charcoal in a small independent garden center, you can also pick it up at a pet or tropical fish shop(it is far more expensive there,)shop around. I bet that you can get it online and have it shipped it is very light in weight, the freight charge would be minimal, so right to your door would be great! I would really love to see your terrarium project, up load some pictures if you can. Thanks for coming on the community, can't wait to see your summer terrarium!.....BostonRoots

[My3k9s]

Thank you for the ideas on where to get the charcoal. Maybe it's because I am using an iPad, but there were no directions on ratio of charcoal, soil, layering? Watering? Thanks, hoping to make them for mothers day gifts!