Magical Garden-in-a-Jar

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Create a Magical Garden-in-a-Jar with Your Kids!

Bringing plants into your home can be a fun and educational experience for the whole family, especially when you get your kids involved! One of my favorite projects is making a garden-in-a-jar. These adorable mini-gardens can brighten up any room in your house whether it's your child's bedroom, the living room, dining area, or even the kitchen.

Let the Kids Take Charge

When you embark on this DIY adventure with your kiddos, let them take the lead. There’s no wrong way to create a garden-in-a-jar, and allowing them to make decisions will boost their confidence and creativity. And trust me, once you see how fun and easy it is, you'll want to make one for yourself too!

Personalize Your Terrarium

Let your kids help pick out the plants and decorations. The more involved they are, the more they’ll take pride in their creation, and the better they’ll care for it. You can even add a seasonal twist such as Valentine's Day, Halloween, or Christmas themed decorations to make it extra special.

Gather Your Supplies

Most of the supplies you'll need are likely already in your home. If not, you can easily find everything on Amazon or at your local craft store. Here’s a basic list to get you started:

• A clear jar or container

• Small rocks or pebbles

• Activated charcoal (optional, helps with drainage)

• Potting soil

• Mini plants or succulents

• Decorative items (moss, tiny figurines, etc.)

Creating a garden-in-a-jar is not only a delightful activity but also a wonderful way to teach your children about responsibility and the joys of nature. So, gather your supplies, let your creativity flow, and enjoy this memorable project with your little ones!

Be creative and have fun!

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Set Up Your Workstation

Set up the jar and all the supplies on the table. If you want to make the cleaning easier, cover the table with some newspaper that can be thrown away afterward.

2. Add the First Layer

Put a very thin layer of potting soil or mulch mix at the bottom of your jar. This will help with the drainage of your terrarium.

3. Create the Rock Layer

Get your hands dirty and add an inch or two of rocks on top of the soil. Choose rocks in various shapes and colors; some can also glow in the dark. After pouring them in, use your hand to flatten the rocks. You can also sprinkle a small amount of colored sand over the rocks for extra flair.

4. More Soil and Mulch

Add another layer of potting soil and mulch. Use mostly mulch mixed with a little bit of potting soil. This combination helps with drainage, which is crucial for a self-watering terrarium. Shape the soil into a large hill that fills up about halfway in the container.

5. Plant the Greenery

Now it’s time to add some plants! Choose 3-4 plants so you don’t overcrowd the container. Start with the tallest plant. Using kitchen tongs, create a crater in the center of the mulch hill. Lower the plant into the hole with the tongs, and then surround it tightly with soil and mulch.

6. Add More Stones

Add more stones around the plants to ensure proper drainage.

7. Clean Up

Use a paintbrush to clean any dirt and debris off the sides of the container.

8. Water Your Terrarium

Give the entire container a light misting of water. Use a turkey baster to give each plant about one ounce of water.

9. Personalize Your Terrarium

Now, for the fun part, add some personality! Use glitter, toys, or decorative items to give your terrarium some pizzazz. Your kids can add their unique touch by using anything from toy dinosaurs to cars and other figures.

10. Final Touch

Top off the container with its lid. In the next 24 hours, your terrarium will collect water on the inside of the jar due to humidity and become a self-watering mini-ecosystem! Your terrarium will now water itself for the next year.