terrarium workshop with terrain

We have these awesome things at work called "Brown Bag Lunches." There is a different topic every week, and the idea is that, over lunch, you learn something new. When we got the newsletter that last week's would be terrarium workshop I b-lined for the signup. 

So, on Friday, Chelsi, Melissa, and I headed to the workshop with Terrain. They supplied us with drainage (gravel), air & water purification (charcoal), nutrient rich soil, plants, and fun decorating supplies. We each bought a vessel and got to work. 

My terrarium ended up as a succulent arrangement with purple flowers (not sure of the name), rocks, and moss. What I love about terrariums is that you can really just throw everything in, and there is little chance that it will look bad. There are only a few essential things you need to make the project a success.

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How to make a successful terrarium:

1. Your vessel should always start with drainage (gravel, pieces of glass), purification (activated charcoal), and good potting soil. You only need a thin layer of charcoal, do not over-do it!

2. Do not combine succulents & ferns. Succulents like drier climates while ferns enjoy a moister atmosphere. They will not be happy living in the same environment.

3. Do not over water! Your plants only need a misting about twice a week. 

4. Stick to the rule of odd numbers, build a terrarium with 1, 3, 5...plants according to your vessel size. 

5. Do not place your terrarium in a place with direct light. They prefer a location with indirect sunshine.

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Good luck with your terrarium building! I can't wait to put more together myself. 

every plant has a name

My green thumb and thirst for the homegrown has really taken off this summer. For years I've been pining to fill a house with plants, and now moving into a place with enough natural light, it's finally becoming a reality. In addition to our succulent and house plant friends, I've been potting these little terracotta pots with herbs all around the house. I decided I'd need a way to remember what I started where, so it led to a simple but cute chalk paint DIY. Since I'm a new gardener, I love that it's a low commitment form of labeling. If something dies, or if I decide to seed a different plant next year, I can always erase the chalk and write something new. It's extremely easy to do, and in no way a novel idea, but I thought the end effect was very homey, practical, and cute. Follow along to see how you can do the chalk paint labeling yourself. 

What You'll Need:

- chalkboard paint

- terracotta planter

- blue painter's tape

- paint brush

- paint dish

Directions:

1. Rip your tape in half length-wise.

2. Section off a parallelogram shape (wider at the top, narrower at the bottom) on your planter.

3. Paint two, even coats of paint within the taped off section, waiting about 10 minutes in between coats.

4. Let the paint dry for about an hour, and then remove tape, plant, & label.

And you're done!!

planting terrariums

My need for green is rampant. I've been urging to get out of the city and take in some mother nature. I want nothing more than to fill my bedroom with living breathing plants. This is just the start.

glass wall bubble vase // mixed stones // brooklyn blend potting soil // horticulture charcoal // glass plant mister