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Hello everyone! 

I can officially say that I’ve caught terrarium fever thanks to my fellow gardening friend, Jayme Jenkins.  Jayme is the owner of a brilliant online boutique called aHa! Modern Living that features standout, modern and earth-friendly home and garden accessories.  aHa! is Jayme’s dream business that was founded in November of 2008 and since then she has grown her small biz by specifically seeking out products that appeal to the gardener, foodie, entertainer and bird lover.  If you are looking for something that’s a little different, unique and stylish, then aHa Modern Living will be a fun shopping experience for you!

One of the products that aHa! carries is called the Roost Recycled Wall Glass Terrarium that is 7 1/2″ wide x 10″ high x 4 3/4″ deep, that literally made me squeal when I saw it in person.  What I love most about this bubble terrarium is it’s rubbable belly-like shape and its hand blown look and texture.  Since each vessel is blown without a mold and made with recycled glass,  it is typical for the terrarium to have “irregularities such as bubbles, dimples, flow and grit marks and rippling”, which adds to its unique appearance.  There’s also an adorable smaller version available that is 6 3/4″ wide x 8″ high x 4 1/2″ deep that looks too cute words.    

 If you are new to terrarium making, like me, or love the look of these enclosed indoor gardens and don’t know where to start, all you have to do is follow these steps that Jayme Jenkins has laid out for us:

10 Steps to Plant in Your Roost Recycled Glass Hanging Terrarium

 

1. To begin building your terrarium, place a layer of pea gravel or aquarium rocks at its base. This is necessary for proper drainage.
2. Next, layer a 1/2 inch layer of horticultural charcoal, which will help to keep your soil from developing a stinky smell.
3. On top of the charcoal, add 1/2 inch to 2 inches of relatively dry soil. You can find potting soil that is specifically made for terrariums, or just use any good quality organic potting soil mixed with one part coarse builders sand and one part humus. The soil should be dry enough that it should not stick to the sides of the terrarium.
4. Use your Terrarium Hand Tool Set to spread out your soil and create a hole in which you will place your plant.
5. Transplant your selected plant(s) into your hanging terrarium.
6. If you wish to include items from the outdoors such as rocks, shells, or driftwood, make sure to first rinse them with clean hot water. You don’t want to introduce any diseases or critters into your terrarium.
7. Hang your terrarium in a spot where it will receive sunlight, but NOT full or direct sun. Try to place it no further than 10 feet away from a window or skylight.
8. A terrarium is pretty much a set-it-and-forget it kind of thing. You don’t need to mess with them much. To water your soil plants, simply give them a misting with a spray bottle about once a week.
9. Steps 1-4 involve soil and therefore apply to plants that are not air plants. Air plants need no soil- only sunlight and water.
10. For air plants, it is best to give them a good soaking two times a week. When your plant needs to be watered, its leaves will feel soft and weak. When it has been watered sufficiently, its leaves will feel hard and strong. To water air plants, it is best to remove them from your terrarium and give them a dunk in a sink full of water. If you can’t remove the plant, just give it a good soak with a watering can inside the terrarium. Your plant should be dry within 4 hours after watering {be careful not to leave it in a swampy condition}.

Please note:  aHa! Modern Living provided a complimentary Roost Terrarium for me to review. The content of this review is entirely of  my own, and is not, in any way, influenced by aHa! Modern Living.  I love this terrarium and in my opinion think that it is the perfect gift for any gardener!  Thanks Jayme! For more information on their products they can be found at www.aHaModernLiving.com , on Facebook on Twitter. Happy Gardening!

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UPDATE:: After writing this post I found out that aHa! Modern Living has a giveaway going on for  a Roost Recycled Glass Wall Terrarium with Timber Press’s Terrarium Craft book by Amy Bryant Aiello and Kate Bryant.  Go ahead and enter now!  (after you check out my Pinterest Wednesday, of course )

It’s a succulent Pinterest Wednesday at Dirt & Martinis today!

As we know, succulents are very popular and fashionable in indoor and outdoor gardening these days.  Here are some of my favorite images that I’m very excited to share with you today.  I’m absolutey smitten with what you can do with these fascinating plants and am inspired to add some of these ideas to my home…

The above miniature garden tricycle would be so cute to add to any miniature/fairy garden.  Isn’t it darling?!

Pinned image found here.  Website for this image is from Two Green Thumbs Miniature Garden Center shop found here.  

What’s not to love about these toy planters!? 

Pinned image found here.  Website for image found at More Design Please. 

I love Fern Richardson’s flour sifter planter!  So cute.

Pinned image found here. Website and tuturial for image found at Fiskars.com 

The above bubble terrariums are stunning aren’t they?  Sleek, modern and simple.  I adore these lovelies.

Pinned image found here. Website for image found at aHaModernLiving.com

So, are you on Pinterest yet? You can follow my Pinterest boards here or let me know via Twitter, Facebook or leave a comment on this post… Happy Pinning!

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Cocktail gardening.  Wouldn’t it be nice if you could plant a cork and a bottle of wine would grow?  Ooops, there goes my imagination taking off on me  

Yes, back to cocktail gardening.  Last week I wrote a guest post for Jayme Jenkins over at aHa! Modern Living and I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss it.  The article discusses 5 plants to make any garden party a success and cocktail recipes featuring herbs, fresh fruit and berries.  While you’re over and aha! Modern Living be sure and check out Jayme’s cool online store that features unique, modern and eco-friendly home and garden accessories.  I especially love the Roost Hemingway muddlers and the gift guide for the entertainer, the gardener and the bird lover.  Jayme Jenkins and aHa Modern Living can also be found on Twitter, Facebook, and at her personal garden blog Nest in Style.

Grow Your Own Cocktail Garden

This summer get creative in your garden by planting herbs, fruits and vegetables that you can take out of the garden and plunk right into your cocktail glass. Make imaginative cocktails and mocktails with rose, scented geranium, thyme, pineapple sage, peppers and tomatoes. Theme gardening is a fun and sometimes theatrical way to get creative in the garden. If you’re not a gardener but like to create meals and drinks with fresh ingredients.  Read more…