How To Create A Mason Jar Miniature Garden

By Author: Florence Blum
Total Articles: 79
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Do you love all-things DIY (do-it-yourself)? Or do you avoid anything even semi-homemade? I can be a little bit of both. If a project has more than a few steps, I know that it is probably not the one for me. That is why I got so excited this week when I discovered a quick and easy DIY project that perfectly aligns with my love for fairy gardens.

Whether you feel confident in the craft room or prefer to let somebody else do the making, you will be able to master the Mason Jar Fairy Garden. If you, like me, have been struggling to make your winter plants thrive outside, a mason jar garden is the winter container garden you need. And you can enjoy it, indoors or out, all year long. Read on to see just how easy this DIY can be.

1) These winter container gardens can be constructed out of almost any jar you have around the house. Just be sure to clean and dry the jar before you start. I like to use a large, clear mason jar with a two-part top.

2) Once you have chosen a jar, you will want to add a ½-inch layer of pebbles, stones, or lava rock. This layer is important, as it helps drain water away from the soil. ...
... Gardeners know: drainage is key!

3) Next, add a layer of well-draining potting soil.

4) Here is the fun part. Planting! You will want to choose miniature plants that do not touch the sides of the mason jar. If you plan to leave the lid off of your jar, consider plants such as Hen and Chicks, jade plants, air plants, Haworthia fastigata, Baby Tears, and Hypoestes phyllostachya (Polka Dot plant).

Most plants will prefer an open jar with air circulation and a little extra room to grow. But if you would like to leave the lid on your jar, creating a closed terrarium, one of my favorite closed-jar options is Cryptanthus bromeliads, also known as Earth Stars.

For a low-maintenance miniature garden, simply add a layer of moss and some moss balls.

5) After planting, add another layer of pebbles or stones. If your jar is large enough, consider adding blue pebbles to make a pretty water feature.

6) Now that your plants and pebbles are in place, it is time to get creative with miniature accessories. Rather than overwhelming your winter container garden with tons of objects, choose between one and three small accessories. You could add a bench, a tiny sign, and a fairy mushroom. Or simply choose one fairy and one woodland animal friend. The choice is yours! I like to use a skinny pair of pliers to assist with placing the accessories.

7) Your mason jar miniature garden is almost complete! For an extra-special touch, consider adding a small, battery-powered tea light to the garden. You can set it on the pebble layer, attach it to the side of the jar with a bit of hot glue, or secure it to the jar lid with a Velcro strip, creating a removable light feature.

Tips: Your DIY winter container garden will be easy to care for, but it does need some attention in order to thrive. Follow these tips to make sure your winter plants feel at home in the jar.

Water using a spray bottle
Keep out of direct sunlight
Do not place your garden close to radiators
Clean the jar’s glass from time to time
Rotate the jar to help plants grow evenly

There you have it—a DIY winter container garden for gardeners at any level. I hope this simple DIY gets your “gears turning” just like it did for me. I cannot wait to see what you plan and plant in your jars this season. Happy Gardening!

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