This is another terrific way to bring nature indoors.
Whether you spend your days in a classroom or an office, tiny reminders of the natural world work wonders in relieving stress. It’s amazing what you can learn about the lives of plants just by watching them a few minutes a day.
Materials:
- One large glass container, like a fishbowl
- Small pebbles or gravel
- Charcoal pieces
- Peat-based potting soil
- Water
- Scoop or spoon with a long handle
- Plant mister
- Scissors
Plants:
- A few varieties of moss and ferns
- Lichen covered twigs and bark
- sphagnum, pincushion, rock cap, hair cap
Procedure:
1. Spoon a layer of pebbles into the bottom of the container.
2. Add a thin layer of charcoal.
3. Add soil, press it down, to fill 1/3 of the container.
4. Plan the space, dig a hole for each plant.
5. Set plants in holes, compress soil around each plant’s base.
6. Gently pour 1 cup of water into the container.
7. Keep container in a damp, cool place with daylight, but out of the sun.
8. Spray mist if plants seem dry.
9. Use scissors to trim any brown or dead plant matter.
Observations:
- What does the growth on the mosses look like? What happens to the spores (seeds)?
- What happens when you look at the undersides of the ferns?
- What happens if you cover your indoor garden with a piece of cork? A piece of cardboard? A paper towel?
- What happens after you have spent 5-10 minutes a day observing the little world inside the container?
NOTE:
I’m always looking for ways to improve projects and activities. Contact me with your results or if anything is unclear to you.