If you don't count traveling across the world from Wisconsin to China as a summer project, then this would be my first! :) Today I made a terrarium!
I've been trying to think of cheap, fun projects to do this summer since a) I have no money, and b) I get bored easily. I especially like crafty projects where I can create something to keep in my home in Madison when I go back to school. One project I stumbled across was creating my own terrarium! A terrarium is a transparent, often times sealed, container in which small plants are grown - an easy alternative to regular plants which need a lot of care.
I found plenty of tutorials on how to make your own terrarium. But once I figured out the basic idea, I decided to improvise and sort of make my own. The items I used were all found in my home or my backyard, so it was cost free! Here's how I made my very own terrarium:
1) I gathered my items first. I used an old pickle jar as my container. Outside, I found a rock with a semi-thick layer of moss and scraped off a large handful of the moss. Next, I dug up a few little plants, keeping their roots in tact. I also grabbed a handful of soil in a bag to place beneath the moss. My last items were small pieces of rounded glass that I found on a beach in China - an extra touch that I used to make my terrarium a little more unique.
2) My next step was prepping the jar. I washed it out and dried it thoroughly. Next I soaked it in water for several minutes to remove the label.
3) Next, I placed the moist soil on the lid of the jar, mounding it a little bit and keeping it towards the center. Place the moss on top of the soil, rounding it into a mound as well by cupping your hands around it. I ripped small holes in the moss where I wanted to place my little plants. Make sure to let the roots reach down to the soil. I placed my glass pieces on top of the mound to get them inside the jar.
4) I watered the plants lightly before placing the jar carefully over the lid and screwing it on. It took a little bit of patience to fit it without damaging the moss too much. Then I shook it gently to scatter the glass pieces. Done!
Several sites explain that the terrarium is pretty capable of maintaining itself without too much work. But many suggest watering it lightly if it begins to look dry. We'll see how long mine can go without any maintenance. I can't wait to make more and experiment with different containers and materials!
