Terrariums give gardeners opportunity to keep growing
Terrariums are one way gardeners can keep growing when they are forced indoors for the winter. Growing in terrariums is easy. All that is needed is a container, rocks, soil and some plants.
As long as it holds water, just about any container will work. Terrariums can be open, sometimes called dish gardens, or have a cover. Check the basement for old jars. Go to resale shops or garage sales and re-purpose someone else's junk into a unique miniature garden. If you are lucky, you may find an old garden cloche that can cover a variety of saucers or containers.
Once a container has been selected and cleaned, add an inch or so of small decorative rocks for drainage. They can be purchased from a craft store, the fairy garden section of your local garden center, or picked up from your own yard. Next, add a layer of activated charcoal to remove toxins and odors that can build up in a terrarium. It is beneficial in all types of terrariums, but is essential if your terrarium is covered.
Use any good quality potting mix for most terrariums. A specialty soil may be necessary if you are creating a desert garden with cactuses and succulents. They require sandy, very well-drained soil.
Sphagnum moss placed between the rocks and the soil acts as a liner to keep soil from filtering through to the rocks. Terrariums are much prettier if their distinct layers are visible.
When it's time to choose plants, select varieties that stay small, grow very slowly, or plants that can be pinched to maintain a diminutive stature. Using odd numbers of plants works in terrariums just as it does in the landscape. Combining plants with different foliage colors, shapes and textures always makes for a pleasing design. Arrange plants until it's just the way you love it before planting.
Having trouble choosing plants? Create thematic terrariums. A beach garden includes mini palms, shells and, of course, a sandy beach. Create a tropical getaway with moss, small ferns and a few rocks. A terrarium is the perfect setting for a fairy garden. Small flowering plants surrounding whimsical miniature furniture is delightful.
Caring for a terrarium is simple. Maintain dish gardens similar to other houseplants. In closed terrariums, mist in the beginning and then watch. If plants continue looking healthy, do nothing. If leaves begin to yellow, the soil is probably too wet. Remove the cover for a few days to allow it to dry. It can be a month or more before you need to do any maintenance if the moisture level is appropriate.
Terrariums are wonderful Christmas gifts. Consider the recipient's hobbies or favorite vacation spots and create a terrarium personalized just for them. A dish garden is a lovely hostess gift, considerably more thoughtful than a holiday mug or ornament.
Plant a terrarium and keep your green thumb green this winter.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the garden center manager of The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield, IL 60190. Call (630) 293-1040 or visit planterspalette.com. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.