ramblings from an arkansas farm girl
What I know today? Five things in no particular order… 1) Brrr! We had our first hard freeze and the back yard is a frosted wonderland this morning. We brought our ferns and other potted flowers inside last night and now the inside of our house looks like a greenhouse. (And by we I mean John.) Continue Reading
Yes, it may be cold outside, but we shall survive winter and not let our green thumb’s get moldy. Can I get an amen?
Winter is the perfect time to tend to your house plants, create a terrarium and divide/transplant those babies springing up in your pots. And if you don’t have any houseplants, go buy some as soon as possible. Plants add life to your home and help ward off the winter doldrums. Plus there’s that whole oxygen thing. Good stuff.
Did you know you can buy tiny terrarium plants on-line? Yep! Google terrarium plants and see what you find.
I’ve always wanted to make a terrarium, especially one in a glass cloche. I’ve been keeping my eyes open for these domed shaped beauties whenever I go to flea markets or antique stores, but they are impossible to find. Or, super expensive.
I finally bought one a few years ago. (They come in different sizes—mine is 7″ by 8.5″). If you need one, I noticed a small one sold by Crate and Barrel for $10.95.
Making a terrarium is not rocket science, but there are steps to follow and basic ingredients needed. If you don’t already have the things you will need in your potting shed / garage / wherever, head over to your local gardening center. I promise, they will be thrilled to see you, (especially this time of year), and more than happy to help you gather these ingredients.
Step One: Place a smooth layer of river rock on the bottom of tray or container to act as a drain field for excess water.
Step Two: Cover rock evenly with carbonized charcoal. Charcoal purifies excess water and prevents mold and fungus from growing (since there are no drainage holes).
Step Three: Add potting soil over the charcoal layer, 2 to 3 inches for planting. This was a bit tricky with a dome cover. I left a trench around the edge for the lid.
Step Four: Plant! Dig a hole with your finger and place plant into it. These are small 2″ plants. Not much digging required.
Step Five: Place sheet moss in water and get it moist. Cover soil with moss. Add decorations if you like. (Shells, marbles, etc.)
Step Six: Mist with water. Cover. Watch grow.
That’s a big marble in my terrarium. Looks odd in the pictures, I know.
Keep out of direct sunlight. You may need to uncover occasionally and add a spoonful of water. I’m hoping that eventually mine will take care of itself, but I haven’t had it long enough to know yet. In the month or so I’ve had it, I’ve only watered it a couple of times.
This would make a wonderful gift too.
Now, on to a few other ways to spiff up your indoor gardening and ultimately survive the long cold winter.
Place a glass bell cloche over a single plant to make it a focal point. This also reduces watering and provides heat. A mini greenhouse. I love this look.
Add small plants to vintage planters. I have a collection, many from my mother in law. Sentimental, kitschy and fun.
For something different, plant a tiny something in an unusual container. This miniature ficus is zen-ish. Anything that creates calmness can be a lifesaver when cabin fever sets in.
Creating these little green spots in my home helps satisfy my gardening itch during winter. Spring will be here soon. Stay warm friends!
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
“Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill my heart with sweet clarity.” ― Novala Takemoto
Winter is the perfect time to dream and plan for a spring garden. Did you realize we are halfway through the calendar winter? Yes, although it’s still too soon to plant veggies and flowers (at least in our neck of the Northern Hemisphere), it’s never too soon for moving dirt around. Unless, of course, your dirt is buried under a blanket of snow. Since ours isn’t, we have lots of garden prep work going on at our house. And believe me, since we bought this house in August, we have been itching to work in the yard.
Winter isn’t stopping us. Not this week anyway.
To add more interest, we are terracing our sloping backyard. This is the beginning of a stone wall. (See Lou Holtz supervising? He’s good.)
We have plans to expand our outside stone dining area, install a sprinkler system and build a fire pit. The Grey Barn is doing the heavy lifting. 
Fortunately, the last few days have been dry, otherwise what a mud hole we would have. Mud + Schnauzers = Pigs.
Turning dirt reveals treasures like old broken glass and pieces of pottery. Yesterday I found a cool rock partially buried but glinting in the sunlight. I’m not sure what it is, but it looks interesting. Some sort of ore or mineral?
If it’s something significant, let me know, and I’ll go dig for more in the backyard. In the meantime until we identify it, I’ll pretend it’s gold. Or a rare lump of Martian meteorite. Or maybe there’s a black diamond hidden inside there.
Whoo-hoo!
Think of how many herbs and plants and trees and seed packets one nugget of gold would buy.
A girl can dream. Even in the dead of winter.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]Turning up dirt uncovers lots of treasures. #gardening #winter #waitingforspring[/tweetthis]
“I’m a miner, and I’m always dirty, because I’m constantly digging. Am I shoveling for gold? Hardly. I’m unearthing this hearty land searching for the next great American novel. If I dig deep enough, I’m sure to find it.”
― Jarod Kintz
Musical Pairing:
California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and The Papas
