Terrariums, supergrasses and Hex Bugs

The other day I learnt this lesson: when a child tells you “If I eat any more of this, I’m going to be sick” they aren't always being melodramatic.

Sadly, I also learnt that my daughter is a stickler for the rules.  It didn’t matter how many times I tried to explain that her brother only threw up because I forced him to eat too many beans she just became more and more adamant that “You can’t go back to school for 48 hours after you’ve been sick.”

I could’ve risked it, but sadly Ava would embrace the role of Supergrass.

So I had my son at home “sick” for two days, except he had bundles of energy and required almost constant entertainment.

Bring on the Terrarium (less catchy that "Bring on the Wall", I’ll admit).

Yes, Oscar decided we should make a terrarium as he’d seen one in a book.

Thankfully these are relatively simple and a useful way to distract children for a good chunk of an afternoon.

First you need to find some kind of clear container.  I have seen terrariums made using old plastic bottles, but quite frankly, if this thing was going to sit around the house, I was after something a little more pleasing on the eye. Thankfully I had a fishbowl shaped vase which I’d purchased from Wilkos for the princely sum of £5 which was perfect.

You then need to add some gravel to the base to act as a drainage area for excess water, followed by a layer of charcoal.  This is important as it absorbs the smells which would otherwise arise from a slightly damp and festering environment.  Sadly, it is also supposed to be "activated charcoal" (nope, I hadn't a clue either but apparently this is the stuff you use in aquarium filters and can be bought from a pet shop).  However as ours has an opening rather than being a fully enclosed terrarium I'm hoping we can gloss over the fact I threw in some bits of charcoal from the barbeque.

Next you need to add compost.  Usually the advice is a peat-based compost but I’m a tree-hugging peat-free kind of a girl, so this is all we had.  Quite frankly, I doubt it will make much of a difference.

Finally, you get to add the plants. Given the moist environment, it is best to stick to ferns, mosses and lichens because flowers are apt to rot in this sort of atmosphere.  That said, we were somewhat bereft of mini ferns so I let Oscar add a Viola and Hellebore which had self seeded in the garden.  These will give the finished space a bit more interest and we can always swap them out in a few weeks.

The moss and lichen we found on broken twigs and in shady spots around the garden and on a wander down a local lane.  It’s a useful way to get children to look more closely at these less glamorous plants and fungi as there are a huge variety of different ones when you investigate.

Planting is best done with a long-handled teaspoons followed by the artistic arrangement of your other finds. Oh, and dinosaurs always look good (as do plastic pigs and Hex Bugs according to Oscar).

We then just watered the whole thing very sparingly before placing it near the window, but not in direct sunlight.

There are loads of sites devoted to the world of terrariums, some of which are less frightening than others – have a look here and here.

 

On another, completely unrelated note, I received my most exciting parcel ever last week.  It contained an advance copy of my book. I should probably be cool and blasé about such news but I'm really not, so can I just say YESSSSSSS! (I may also have punched the air just then - something I hope you can overlook).

Sadly, it won't be available until February 9th but until then I shall lovingly stroke the pages of this one copy (at least when no-one is looking).

Comments

[Karen - An Artists Garden]

An advanced copy of your book - now that IS exciting, I will have to make sure I get (a signed) one when it comes out for my grandson.

Although he is only 18 month - I am sure he can grow into it!
K

[Karen - An Artists Garden]

Hummm - hex bugs ..... interesting
K

[VP]

And I've had a sneak peek of your book :)

Does it still have that shiny, new booky special kind of smell?

[Caro Webster]

Dawn, that's fabulous news! Can't wait to be able to buy a copy of your book. Cheers, Caro

[James A-S]

I am VERY interested in Hex bugs. Mostly because I have only recently been made aware of their existence. I am considering buying some but am short of a plausible excuse. I will have to discuss with Oscar at some point.
The book looks marvellous, Congratulations. Although it is a pity that it cannot scurry around the room at high speed.
Your publisher missed a trick there, I feel.

[Esther Montgomery]

A book, a book, a real live published book! Knew you were writing one but not how far on it all is - virtually a completed project. Hurray and well done!

Pleased to have met you at last - though 'briefly glimpsed' might be a better description. If ever I come to a GMG event again, I'll bring a megaphone.

Terrarium. Such a good idea - even if you have avoided complying with the recipe at every step. The problem with them - as with almost everything indoors, is where to put such things. If ever my husband and I come to blows, it will be over who puts what where on which windowsill. And modern windowsills are ridiculously narrow. Hard to avoid pools of earth on the carpet where the curtains have knocked them off. Beware glass!

[Lorna Watson]

This is a great project. It's a lovely way to introduce children to gardening since it's on a smaller scale. I really love moss too. I want to try this with my boy. And your book looks fantastic. Another one for me list!

[Dawn]

Karen - When you see my scrawling hideous signature you may change your mind - but thank you! X PS Embrace the Hex Bugs - they are weird but in their favour they are at least small.

VP - It had that newborn smell but I fear it is wearing off with my excessive stroking.

Caro - thanks so much. X

James - I am hoping that I may secure a deal for a follow up book that will not only race around the room, but then nip out, make a cup of tea and give you a relaxing neck massage. It's a niche but one that I feel needs to be filled.

Esther - I was ridiculously excited to meet you in the flesh so apologies - I think I may have become a little squeaky! On the windowsills note, the terrarium doesn't like too much light so it is currently hogging the kitchen worktop. If it gets in the way of mince-pie creation it may have to suffer an unfortunate accident.

Lorna - I hope you give it a go - it's a very boy-friendly gardening activity and yes, moss is quite bewitching isn't it? Also thanks so much for your kind words about the book.

[stuart]

Just found your blog, some lovely ideas. I'm working in schools and communities in Manchester doing similar work so might nick some of your ideas, you're welcome to do likewise: ithinkitsacarrot.blogspot.com

[Kelly]

I love these sorts of activities. Stumbled on your blog today -- love it!

[Dawn]

Stuart - please feel free to pillage away! I shall follow your Manchester activities with interest.

Kelly - thanks so much for stumbling this way - I hope you will return.