Have you ever wanted to create your own tiny world inside a jar? A terrarium is a perfect way to do that! It’s like a mini garden that can take care of itself. Let’s learn how to make one!
A terrarium is a small ecosystem inside a glass jar. When you make it right, it can recycle its own water and nutrients. Here’s how it works: the sun warms up the jar, causing water to evaporate from the plants and soil. This water then turns into tiny droplets on the glass, just like rain, and falls back into the soil. Cool, right?
Before you start, gather these materials:
Here’s how to collect what you need:
Start by putting a layer of small stones or pebbles at the bottom of your jar. This helps drain extra water so your plants’ roots don’t rot.
If you have mesh, place it over the stones. Then, add the soil. Use nutrient-rich soil, ideally from where you collected your materials, and press it down to make a solid layer.
Now, add your plants and any decorations like wood pieces or fungi. Break larger wood pieces into smaller ones to fit in the jar. Press the plants firmly into the soil so they can grow well.
Lightly spray the plants with water using a spray bottle. If you don’t have one, carefully pour a small amount of water. Don’t overwater, as too much moisture can cause mold when the jar is sealed.
Before sealing the jar, add the isopods or woodlice. They’ll help keep your terrarium clean by breaking down dead material and stopping mold.
Once everything is in place, put the lid on the jar tightly. Your closed terrarium is ready! Place it on a windowsill or another spot where you can enjoy watching your mini ecosystem.
Making a closed terrarium is a fun project that lets you see a tiny ecosystem in action. With the right materials and careful setup, you can enjoy a self-sustaining environment with little maintenance. Happy gardening!
Imagine you are a landscape architect! Draw a design of how you want your terrarium to look. Include where you will place the stones, soil, plants, and any decorations. Think about how the plants will grow and how they will look together.
Calculate the volume of your jar to understand how much space you have for your terrarium. Measure the height and diameter of your jar, and use the formula for the volume of a cylinder: $$V = pi r^2 h$$. Remember, $r$ is the radius (half the diameter) and $h$ is the height.
Keep a journal to observe changes in your terrarium over time. Note how the plants grow, any changes in moisture, and the activity of your cleanup crew. Draw pictures and write about what you see each week.
Set up a simple experiment to observe the water cycle in your terrarium. Place a small thermometer inside the jar and record the temperature changes throughout the day. Notice how the temperature affects condensation and evaporation inside the jar.
Challenge yourself to grow a new type of plant in your terrarium. Research what conditions it needs and adjust your terrarium setup to help it thrive. Share your results with the class and discuss what worked and what didn’t.
Terrarium – A small, enclosed environment for growing plants and sometimes keeping small animals, often used to study ecosystems. – Example sentence: In science class, we built a terrarium to observe how plants and insects interact in a small ecosystem.
Ecosystem – A community of living organisms and their physical environment, interacting as a system. – Example sentence: The forest ecosystem includes trees, animals, soil, and water, all working together to support life.
Plants – Living organisms that typically grow in soil and use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis. – Example sentence: Plants like ferns and mosses are often found in moist environments where they can thrive.
Soil – The upper layer of earth in which plants grow, composed of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms. – Example sentence: Healthy soil is full of nutrients that help plants grow strong and healthy.
Water – A vital resource for all living organisms, essential for processes like photosynthesis in plants and hydration in animals. – Example sentence: Without enough water, plants in the terrarium would not be able to survive.
Nutrients – Substances that provide nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life. – Example sentence: Plants absorb nutrients from the soil to help them grow and produce food.
Moss – A small, non-vascular plant that typically grows in dense green clumps or mats, often in damp or shady locations. – Example sentence: Mosses are often used in terrariums because they help retain moisture and add a lush green appearance.
Stones – Small pieces of rock used in terrariums to provide drainage and support for plants. – Example sentence: We placed stones at the bottom of the terrarium to ensure proper drainage for the plants.
Mold – A type of fungus that grows in damp environments, often appearing as a fuzzy or slimy layer on surfaces. – Example sentence: We had to adjust the humidity in the terrarium to prevent mold from growing on the soil.
Isopods – Small crustaceans, often found in moist environments, that help decompose organic matter. – Example sentence: Isopods are sometimes added to terrariums to help break down dead plant material and keep the ecosystem balanced.
