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Build Your Own Terrarium

Terrariums are planted, enclosed glass or plastic containers. The great thing about terrariums is that they are easy and fun to create, and if you set them up correctly, they form their own unique, self-sustaining ecosystems. The plants inside release oxygen and the enclosed containers condense all the moisture the plants will need. Thats right, you won't even have to water them! Plus, they look great and make really cool gifts.


Backyard Feeders

Build a Terrarium

Jigsaw Puzzle

Slide Puzzle

Concentration

Word Search		 Terrarium
    What you'll need:

  • One clean, medium to large glass or
    plastic jar with lid
  • Potting soil
  • Small gravel (aquarium gravel will do)
  • Sphagnum moss
  • Small scoop or cup
  • Two or three small plants (see below)
  • Newspaper



What you'll do:



Begin by choosing the right plants for your terrarium. By design, terrariums are moist, warm environments, so you must choose plants that enjoy this. Many home improvement and department stores also have plant/garden departments that carry all the supplies you'll need. Ask someone in the nursery to help you in choosing plants that will thrive in your terrarium. Succulents like aloe and jade plants do very well. Remember to start with small plants so that they will have plenty of room in the container to grow.

Cover your work area with newspaper. Place a 1-2 inch layer of gravel in the bottom of your container. Gravel helps drain excess moisture away from the plants' roots. Top the gravel with 4-6 inches of potting soil (depending on how large your container is). Remember to leave enough space for the plants to grow taller. The soil should fill your container a little over halfway. Top the soil with a layer of moistened sphagnum moss. The moss helps support the plants and holds moisture. Carefully loosen your plants from their pots and plant them in the container. Leave enough space in between plants for them to grow without crowding. Press the sphagnum moss around the base of the plants. Lightly water the container--just till the soil is uniformly moist. Place the lid on the container and you're done! Your terrarium will do best if placed near a window, but not in direct sunlight. You should always be able to see clearly into your terrarium. If it becomes very foggy with excess moisture, just crack the lid until the moisture evaporates. In no time at all your plants will be growing strong!

Terrarium SuppliesTerrarium Plants