When I think of the New Year, I always want to do a project or bring "newness" to my surroundings. About three months ago, my husband and I put together a terrarium. It was quick but creative. This is something you could do with any age child or teen. Also, it makes a wonderful hand made gift. Friends and co-workers will love it!

I read that a true terrarium has a top but that top could cause more of a challenge for the plants to grow. We bought a clear glass container with a wide opening. You can usually find these at the pet department in stores such as K-Mart or at a Pet Store.

It's really easy and all of these products are easy to find. You will find them in the same place (as mentioned above).

Here is what you do:

(1) Fill bottom of glass with 1 inch of gravel.

(2) Sprinkle a thin layer of crushed aquarium charcoal on

gravel.

(3) Add moist potting soil about the same size as the depth

that your purchased plants were potted in.

(4) Remove plants from containers, loosening roots with

fingers.

(5) Arrange plants in your container, putting tallest in center

and others around it. Position plants close together.

(6) Cover with colored gravel.

(7) Wipe smudges from glass.

My terrarium is made of 3 beautiful orange cacti and I don't remember what the smaller plants were but here are some suggestions:

(1) Rex Begonias, (2) Ferns (3) Petite Peace Lilies and (4) Baby's Tears.

Place the terrarium in diffused sun because direct sun could burn the plant and cause it to bloom less.

Use distilled water for moistening your plants. Remember, there is nowhere for the water to escape, so water carefully with a kitchen baster or an empty spray bottle. Only water your plant when you notice it starts to dry out. Moisten until water appears in the bottom gravel layer.

You can make this simple (like the one I made). See photo below. However, if you really want to explore other possibilities, here are a few web sites that I found to be helpful:

YOU CAN DO THIS!

MY HOMEMADE TERRARIAN WITH CACTI

Skippy Peanut Butter: How to make a terrarium from a peanut butter jar.

Parent's Talk: How to make a terrarium for a 2 liter soda bottle (plastic).

The Magic Terrarium: Directions and advice.

Mizzou Online: History of Terrariums and a very detailed list of plants that can be used for this project.

CLICK HERE FOR ADVENTURES IN SCIENCE!

SCIENCE CAN BE REALLY FUN!

Three Teacher Press is continually updating and offering new things, although we are a fairly new web site.

We have a new " Adventures in Science" section that is really fun. Although the links are few, we feel that they are QUALITY sites that should be shared. Click our scientist on the right to try out "Adventures in Science."

Enjoy our site!

Sincerely,

Fran Larson, web mistress for ThreeTeacher Press

Francine Larson Has an AA Degree From St Petersburg College. Taught Nursery School, Children