Terrarium Teacher Gifts

Today my daughter had her end of school picnic.  It's amazing to see how the children have grown so much in a year not only physically but with their personalities.  In September I dropped off a fresh 3 year old who shied away at times to an almost 4 year old who has definitely found her opinion.  I feel very blessed to have my child at a school where she is nurtured and is given the tools to grow into her own person.  A couple of weeks ago, I started to look for teacher gift ideas.  There is no shortage of ideas on Pinterest.

After making terrariums for my mother and mother in law for Mother's Day, I decided to make two additional ones as teacher gifts.  I felt pretty confident the idea wouldn't be duplicated by another parent.  The 'pin' we made ended up being such a fun project for my daughter and I.  She had a blast picking out the succulent plants for each teacher along with the colored stones.  In the end, this is what I wanted...her to be a part of making her teachers gift as a way to say THANK YOU.

Pinterest Inspiration:

http://inhabitat.com/diy-how-to-make-your-own-green-terrarium

My Results:

A clear glass jar, vase, bowl, glass, or whatever interesting glass container you have on hand
Rocks, pebbles or recycled glass chunks
Activated charcoal (sometimes called activated carbon)
Potting soil appropriate for your plants
Moss (optional)
Various small plants
A scoop or spoon for the soil
Scissors 

1. Wash both the inside and outside of the jar or container you're going to use. I used mason jars for the teachers and vases for the Mother's Day presents.

2. Fill the bottom with rocks or pebbles. 

This is to create a false drainage layer so water can settle and not flood the plant. The depth of the rocks totally depends on the size of your container, but aim for 1/2″ to 2″.

3. Add a thin layer of activated charcoal (found at home and garden centers).  

You need just enough to cover the rocks. Adding this element will reduce bacteria, fungi and odors.

4. I added moss at this point but it's also optional.  I just love the way it looks when layered into the jar. 

5. Add the appropriate soil for the plants you've chosen.  There should be enough soil so the plant roots will have plenty of room to fit and then grow. Aim for a depth slightly greater than the height of the plant’s pot.

6. Take your plant out and break up the hard soil ball until you get down to the roots. Trim the roots if they are especially long- they'll grow back. 

7. Using your fingers, dig a well to place your plants roots in and add more soil around the top. Make sure the soil is compact around the base of the plant. Do this for all the plants and try to keep them away from the edges.

8. After you’re done you can add accessories.  I ended up adding another blanket of moss and some colored glass rocks.  

9. Wipe away the excess dirt from the sides so you can see the plants.  

10. Give the terrarium a little bit of water- it's enough for it to survive.

11. Tie ribbon or string around the opening of the jar.

12. Attach tag.

File for tag:

Today my daughter had her end of school picnic.  It's amazing to see how the children have grown so much in a year not only physically but with their personalities.  In September I dropped off a fresh 3 year old who shied away at times to an almost 4 year old who has definitely found her opinion.  I feel very blessed to have my child at a school where she is nurtured and is given the tools to grow into her own person.  A couple of weeks ago, I started to look for teacher gift ideas.  There is no shortage of ideas on Pinterest.

After making terrariums for my mother and mother in law for Mother's Day, I decided to make two additional ones as teacher gifts.  I felt pretty confident the idea wouldn't be duplicated by another parent.  The 'pin' we made ended up being such a fun project for my daughter and I.  She had a blast picking out the succulent plants for each teacher along with the colored stones.  In the end, this is what I wanted...her to be a part of making her teachers gift as a way to say THANK YOU.

Pinterest Inspiration:

http://inhabitat.com/diy-how-to-make-your-own-green-terrarium

My Results:

A clear glass jar, vase, bowl, glass, or whatever interesting glass container you have on hand
Rocks, pebbles or recycled glass chunks
Activated charcoal (sometimes called activated carbon)
Potting soil appropriate for your plants
Moss (optional)
Various small plants
A scoop or spoon for the soil
Scissors 

1. Wash both the inside and outside of the jar or container you're going to use. I used mason jars for the teachers and vases for the Mother's Day presents.

2. Fill the bottom with rocks or pebbles. 

This is to create a false drainage layer so water can settle and not flood the plant. The depth of the rocks totally depends on the size of your container, but aim for 1/2″ to 2″.

3. Add a thin layer of activated charcoal (found at home and garden centers).  

You need just enough to cover the rocks. Adding this element will reduce bacteria, fungi and odors.

4. I added moss at this point but it's also optional.  I just love the way it looks when layered into the jar. 

5. Add the appropriate soil for the plants you've chosen.  There should be enough soil so the plant roots will have plenty of room to fit and then grow. Aim for a depth slightly greater than the height of the plant’s pot.

6. Take your plant out and break up the hard soil ball until you get down to the roots. Trim the roots if they are especially long- they'll grow back. 

7. Using your fingers, dig a well to place your plants roots in and add more soil around the top. Make sure the soil is compact around the base of the plant. Do this for all the plants and try to keep them away from the edges.

8. After you’re done you can add accessories.  I ended up adding another blanket of moss and some colored glass rocks.  

9. Wipe away the excess dirt from the sides so you can see the plants.  

10. Give the terrarium a little bit of water- it's enough for it to survive.

11. Tie ribbon or string around the opening of the jar.

12. Attach tag.

File for tag: