April 2008 PowerKids
It’s a small world
How to make a terrarium for Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day this April 22 by creating a terrarium. A terrarium is simply a glass or clear plastic container in which plants are grown. The great thing is you can recycle a large jar to use for your terrarium. Recycling is a wonderful way to help the environment.
You can check with local restaurants for see if they have empty one or two gallon-size jars (or other large-size jars) to give you for free or for a low cost. Or, you might want to look around your house or garage for other large glass containers that aren’t being used anymore.
Make sure the opening is large enough so you’ll easily be able to stick your hand inside.
Earth Day terrarium
What you’ll need:
• A big jar (see text above)
• Gravel, marbles or aquarium gravel
• Potting soil
• 2-3 small bedding plants
• Small glass/china/resin figures of your choice (optional)
To make:
Pour about a 1⁄2 inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the jar. On top of that, spread a 5-inch layer of potting soil. Carefully remove the plants from their plastic containers. If they’re in “peat” containers, plant the whole thing.
Make sure you put your plants into the potting soil at the same depth they were growing in their containers. Gently pat the soil around your plants so they are secure in the soil. Slowly add just enough water to your soil to dampen it.
If you’d like, add small figurines to inhabit your little terrarium world! They can be people, animals, insects or houses. Put the figurines away from the root of the plant.
Once your terrarium is completed, place it in a window that gets the morning sun. Water lightly only if the soil gets dry (every few weeks). Don’t overwater. If you put the lid back on your jar you may only have to water your plants once a month or less.
Be as kind to the mini-environment of your terrarium as you are to your own environment. Watch over it, keep it tidy and take care of it.
Written By: eceditor
Date Posted: 4/2/2008
Number of Views: 107
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