Review: Terrarium Glow Kit

For Christmas I received this Glow-in-the-Dark Terrarium kit from one of my grand-daughters (among some other wonderful Fairy Garden items). I had some free time recently and am here to report how this kit worked out. 

The listed contents for this kit.

Here are the contents of the kit all laid out, excluding the glow-in-the-dark stickers (which I decided not to use on my kit so that I could see everything better). The lid was definitely my favorite part of this kit. Unfortunately the amount of glow-in-the-dark sand provided does not measure up with what is shown on the box. I was sad to learn that the sand is the only thing in this kit that glows and it ended up being barely visible (I tested the stickers and they gave a vague glow as well). 

I actually decided to add extra white pebbles since the kit's supply was so small. The blue pebbles were skimpy as well and only on this side of the jar. I also placed the glow sand on the same side because there wasn't even enough to have a noticeable layer all the way around!

I added the "grass" that came with the kit (which is made to look like moss but I honestly don't know what it is made of). The "grass" that came with the kit was in abundance so I only used about 1/4 of the supply and it was so fine that it was hard to keep it from seeping through the layer of pebbles. I would suggest you put a layer of sand between the pebbles and the grass to prevent it from seeping down. But I will say that this grass allowed the figurines to remain stable, whereas using moss might allow them to shift.

Here's a picture I took of the completed kit in my bathroom. I tried to take a picture outside at night, but it wasn't visibly glowing and I could only see the sand glow when I was in complete darkness. Realize that this kit did come with glow-in-the-dark stickers which might make it look better at night, but I think it'd block the view of the contents during the day. If you get this kit, I'd suggest buying extra glow-in-the-dark sand.

Overall, I think this is an easy kit for young children but could be made better with, at the least, more glow-in-the-dark sand. Hey, maybe even get some glow-in-the-dark paint and put it on the fairy wings and the horse body. It's your kit, get creative.

You can't imagine how hard it was to capture this picture. Drink it in.

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Fairy Garden Class - Terrarium, Home Edition

Terrarium Essentials; container, potting mix, pebbles, charcoal and potted plant(s). Optional; coffee filter, moss, decor

Add pebbles to the container. Pebbles will allow water to drain to the bottom of your container without drowning your plant. Your best bet is dark colored pebbles. This will keep your terrarium pretty when soil undoubtedly finds its way down to the bottom.

If you'd like to use moss, now is the time to use it. You can find moss in many different styles to add texture and color.

Next, I placed a coffee filter atop the moss. Why, you ask? Please, scroll down.

On top of the coffee filter is charcoal. I'd done some research online that suggested this method keeps odor from lingering. The coffee filter keeps the charcoal from dispersing down through the moss while still allowing water to pass through to its final destination amongst the pebbles.

Nearly done, I've added potting mix. If you are planning on planting succulents/cactus, you will need to use a potting mix specific for them since it allows more water to pass through (unlike the potting mix I'll be using).

Finally, plant those lovely flora in your potting soil. Slow-growing, ground cover, miniature or dwarf plants are good for terrariums. You want a plant that won't outgrow this container too quickly.

And here is our finished product! I've added some white pebbles to add to the festive winter scene. This container has a lid that traps moisture in which may fog up the glass but also means less watering (be careful not to over water). The pebble layer at the bottom really helps to remind you when a terrarium needs water or is being watered too much. To avoid mineral build up, be sure to use distilled water. You also might want to carefully wipe any remnants of watering from your container to prevent water spots.

Here is the same container with the snowman swapped out for a dainty little table and tea set. Be sure not to put any terrarium in direct sunlight. Just like a parked car on a hot day, things heat up real quick!

As you can see, terrariums are easy to start, easy to keep up with and easy to switch out decor with the changing seasons! Feel free to let me know how your terrarium turned out.

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Floral Show Entry and Placement

On November 7th I submitted two entries into a flower show. A few weeks before that, I happened upon a flyer for this event to be held in the beautiful and historic Kendall Place nestled on the Plymouth Village Campus in Redlands. A woman who works in my building, whom I often discuss gardening with, kindly shared with me a clipping from the local paper spotlighting the event. I'd never entered a competition like this but figured I'd give it a go; it could open the door to another facet of gardening that I had yet to explore.

Outside of the building, garden enthusiasts socialize and browse the many related vendor booths.

I decided to enter two pieces that qualified for different categories; Miniature Garden Exhibit in the theme of "Fanciful Fairy Garden" and Combination Planting, sub-category Terrarium. I had never worked on a terrarium before but the category caught my eye and, again, figured I'd give it a go. There were many rules and restrictions to abide by, but come time for me to take in my entries, both pieces had met all the requirements.

My entry in the Fanciful Fairy Garden category

My entry for the terrarium category

There were many beautiful pieces spread throughout the building that ranged from single cut roses  ("1 stem with 3 sets of 5 leaves" was the requirement for this category), eatables, container grown foliage as well as table setting designs. They even had a youth category for students grades K-6. I enjoyed speaking with other garden enthusiasts and saw inspiration in the other exhibits.


You are probably wondering how I did, right? Well, My Fairy Folks, both of my pieces placed! I really had no competitive intention to win, I simply wanted to enter the show to see what it was like and get familiar with it, but each of my entries won second place. For my Fanciful Fairy Garden entry, the judge commented: "Very well done. You're all in scale except white rock which is a bit out of scale with other components."

My second place ribbon for "Fanciful Fairy Garden"

My second place ribbon for the terrarium category

Overall, it was all pretty surprising! I had two entries, each placed and each got second place. Not bad for Grandma's first time! I am eager to enter the show next year and will keep my eyes and ears open in hopes of spotting other local shows. I would like to try my hand at a tiny floral vase - I thought they were very cute (possibly because I'm so used to everything being tiny for my fairies).

I've put together a slideshow of the many other photos I took. Unfortunately there was so much to see, I couldn't capture it all. Check them out below.

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Local Happenings: Fairy Garden Class

Hello Fairy Folk! I wanted to give you some information on my second Fairy Garden class at Sunshine Growers Nursery. You will be required to purchase a minimum $12 but the class is free and you are strongly encouraged to bring any existing items from home that you'd like to use in a fairy garden scene (a container is suggested although these are also sold at the nursery). Please (CLICK HERE) to read more about this nursery.

New this month is the addition of a fairy terrarium guide. Containers for this are limited so feel free to bring your own to guarantee you can participate in this portion. 

We have learned from our first class that decor supervision needs to be tighter, so for those of you who attended our class in October, know that the number of items you are able to collect from our bins will be monitored which is why bringing items from home is strongly suggested. You are also free to purchase items in the store at the front counter.

And similar to the previous class, there WILL be a raffle near the end that you must be present for.

WHO: Hosted by Grandma Sandy, anyone who purchases a minimum of $12 at the nursery can participate, ages 12+
WHAT: Thanksgiving/Christmas-Themed Fairy Garden Class
WHEN: November 14 @ 10am-12pm
WHERE: 34017 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa CA, 92399
MORE: Contact Sunshine Growers Nursery at (909) 797-9210

PLEASE COME VISIT MY FAIRY PAGE

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grandmasefg@gmail.com

Grandma'sEFG YouTube Channel