Walking around Cambridge this past week I was delighted to see small shoots of green starting to emerge. Finally! I considered airing out the down comforter, putting the summer blankets on the bed, storing all my wool sweaters, and retiring the well used ‘sweater tights’ from these past (albeit weak) winter months. Than I double checked the weather forecast – 5 more days of of 45-50 degree weather. Mmm…not quite ready to break out the capris and spring wedges I suppose. While still impartient for it to truly be spring, I decided to head out the nursery anyways. There, large signs were taped to the blooming daffodils and crocuses: “Do not plant outside – too cold still!”. Ah, I see I’m not the only one itching to jump the gun. I instead headed towards the indoor plant greenhouse, which felt like a warm tropical rainforest, and the smell of just watered soil filled the heavy air. There I found what I will always be a sucker for: tiny little plants, designed specifically for the tiny self-sustaining world of a terrarium. At $2 a piece, I quickly had my basket filled with a plethora of mini ferns, irish moss, and a small bonsai maple, which I was told would actually change colors with the season.
Putting dinner prep on hold, I broke out my garden tools (shocked at their early use), and went to work building a green, vibrant, miniature world. Below are the results. (With the maple saved for a larger vase to be assembled tomorrow). One was made for a good friend of mine who has the sweetest white lab. I couldn’t help adding that little critter to inhabit his own miniature world. The other was a container that I had meant to be used as a ‘dry terrarium’, to be filled with sand and succulents, but unfortunately the succulent selection (say that 3 times fast) was pretty cleared out, and I settled on a tidy little row of these bright green leafed plants. And of course, in the spirit of the upcoming Easter holiday, I couldn’t help tuck in some cheeky little bunnies to frolic among this instant patch of green.
