Terrarium's! The latest in indoor gardening.

Terrarium's, Remember them when you were a kid?  Well they are back and they are the latest craze in indoor gardening! Fun for the person who doesn't have an outdoor space to garden or just wants a fun project to do with the kids.

Here are the steps needed to create a to follow.

The Keys to making a successful Terrarium:

1. Select a container that is unique - This is one of the most important aspects of a terrarium. Often you will see a Brandy snifter as a terrarium container and this is perfect because it is very dramatic. Browse through the local nursery or home improvement store and look for something that is dramatic or unique. It could be anything that will hold soil and water.  

2. Selection of plants – People often fret over which plants go with which plants and you should give this no thought at all. Select an odd number of plants such as 3, 5 or 7 and select them with a variety of leaf shapes. Some should have slender stalks and others should have round and full leaves. Try to vary the color of the plants too. As you are browsing for your plants place them side by side to see what they will look like in an arrangement. Does it look attractive? Do the plants compliment each other. Move the pots around and look for attractive arrangements.

Materials to Purchase

1. The container
2. The plants (pick an odd number arrangement)
3. 1 bag of potting soil
4. 1 small bag of stones for the bottom of the terrarium 

Making the Terrarium (The Steps)

1. Put a one inch layer of stones in the bottom of your terrarium
2. Fill the container about half full of potting soil
3. Remove the plants from their plastic pots and arrange them in your terrarium.
4. Once you have found an arrangement you like fill the rest of the container with potting soil and gently tap it down so it is firm and the plants are supported.
5. Water with a moderate amount of water.
6. Put the terrarium in a place with moderate or occasional sunlight

Caring for your terrarium

A terrarium is really easy to care for. Check on it every day and stick your finger in the soil. If it is dry then water it. Examine the bottom of the terrarium. If there is water among the stones then you should not water it for a few days.   You can add a step to this whole process. When at the Store purchase a bag of something called Spaghnum Moss, (Or Spanish Moss) This is a stringy material. After you put your drainage rocks in the terrarium put a one-inch thick layer of the moss as if it were a carpet covering the rocks. Then add your soil. What this does is prevent the soil from slowly over time draining down into the rocks. It will keep the roots of your plants drier and healthier.

Here are some Pictures of some really creative Terrariums I found on the Web.