Terrariums!

Terrariums are a major trend lately which Brooklynites can't seem to get enough of! I've seen them at many fleas, fairs, and garden shops around the borough and decided to take a class at Sprout in Williamsburg to see if I could make my own. My friend Annie joined me and this is how we did it:

We each chose our containers, mine is on the left and Annie's is on the right. Glass containers are a must since light has to be able to penetrate the container. The larger the opening the easier it is to place and arrange your plants so make sure your hand can fit in the container's opening. There are two types of terrariums that you can make: an open one, which we chose to do, or a covered one which creates a humid environment for moisture-loving plants. Either options are great for apartments because they don't require direct sunlight.

Since terrariums don't have drainage holes it is very important to add a layer of rocks which will allow water to drain from the soil and prevent any damage to the plant's roots.

Next, add a layer of charcoal which will keep the soil fresh and prevent any unwanted odors.

Then add a layer of sand which will also help with drainage and is light enough for young roots to move through it. You can also add larger rocks for aesthetics.

The final layer is the soil mix which depends entirely on the plant you chose. Succulents and cacti get a rockier/sandier mixture while other herbaceous plants get a normal potting soil. Then comes the fun part: landscaping! Some birch bark for texture...

...dehydrated moss and a little path of smaller rocks...

...and a bull! Why not?

A detail of Annie's. She used where we go hiking in the summer as an inspiration and it's dead on.

The final product!

Check out Sprout in Brooklyn and Chicago for more classes and ideas: Sprout