Many types of spring bulbs can be forced indoors so that they will bloom in winter. There are even special bulbs whose main aim it is to bring color and fragrance into the living room during the winter season, such as the Amaryllis and “paperwhite” narcissus. Everyone should try these at least once – the smell is gorgeous!

However be aware that some bulbs, like hyacinths, tulips, narcissi and crocuses first need a cold period to be able to come to bloom. Plant up these bulbs and leave them for 12 to 15 weeks in a place where the
temperature is between 5 and 10°C (41-50°F). Be sure to provide sufficient (but not too much) water during this period.

Low-growing flower bulbs are very well suited for planting in flower boxes and can really lift your mood during bleak winter days. You can plant them more closely together or even in “layers”. The early-flowering bulbs near the top, the later-flowering ones at the bottom. Since the soil in boxes tends to dry
out quickly, particularly with central heating on, regular watering is essential.

Often indoor paper-white narcissi (or daffodils if you prefer) are prepared for forcing before you even buy them, (check with your supplier to make sure). Plant them in a beautiful bowl or pot (a glass bowl with gravel will add to the display) and add water to start them off. Relatively quickly the bulbs will start showing the green shoots of leaves and flower stalks, with pure white roots anchoring the bulbs down into the soil or gravel.

These bulbs prefer cool conditions, a lower temperature will keep the stems stocky. You can quickly spoil paper-whites with warmth during the early stages and their stems will become drawn and lanky. The stems can be further weakened by too much shade and without some support, can topple under the weight of the glorious flower heads as they open.

After they are finished flowering (and the weather outside is warm enough), the bulbs, with their leaves still on can planted in the garden. Pick an out of the way place so they can finish their growing season, then re-plant them where you want them to enjoy them year after year.

Once planted in the ground, you can leave them in the ground to naturalize. Then by adding a few new flower bulbs every year, you can create a magnificent display.

To use the bulbs somewhere else in the garden the following season, dig them up only after the leaves have died down completely. Remove the dirt from the bulbs and store them in a dry well-ventilated, dark-ish place until the following autumn, then re-plant.

Mid seventies and everyone had one. Those who didn’t have one, wanted one. Those same terrariums which were popular back them, have not only made a comeback but a strong one. They are easy to build, easy to maintain, look striking in a living room or on a patio and now, more than ever you can find some of the most intriguing containers to use for housing your mini ecosystem.

Terrariums come in all shapes and sizes, all styles and materials, from plastic to brass to stained glass, and can help to set up a small ecosystem all their own, from desert to rainforest, depending on your care and your desire for your indoor garden setup.

I’ve personally done some tiny ecosystems inside my terrarium that have lasted for several years. Bonsai, or at least some types of it will react well to this environment, as will a miniature rock garden done in alpine plants. To accomplish this the moisture levels must be arranged to be suitable for the plants you’re adding to the terrarium.

To see some truly incredible terrariums and how to make your own, or order somethign special as the housing for it, visit the Terrarium Museum which will give you some great ideas to make your own mini garden, requiring minimal care.
By: Robbi Drake

They fit in well with any kind of decorating, particularly country decorating styles, and are useful as well as ornamental.
A window box is a fun and an ideal way to garden.
Decorative planters are easy to install, simple to plant and fun to care for. You don’t have to spend endless hours digging, bending and weeding to maintain a durable flower box. And best of all, a window box makes flowers and greenery a part of your everyday life, where you will see them and continue to gain enormous pleasure from your container garden.

A flower box be created by gardeners of any experience level and container gardening is an easy way to add zest to your home. For a beginner, planting a window box is easy.

What you will need to accomplish this is:

• window boxes
• metal L brackets for mounting box
• screws or bolts
• drill bit–for wood or masonry
• decorative brackets to cover metal supports

You can find all these things and more at Window Boxes.com
Make sure that you screw the brackets into support studs to hold the boxes well and securely.

**Select a copper or bronze window box and hang it inside your house rather than outside. Fill it with houseplants or herbs, potted separately in small pots,.

Make sure the box does not have drain holes. In fact, it might be a good idea to water the plants in the kitchen sink, let them drain, then place back in the window box.

* Create a great bathroom look by filling a tin window box with small ferns. Line a small window box with plastic, add an inch or so of small gravel to assure drainage and transplant the ferns into a rich potting mixture.

A bathroom is a great place for plants because of the high humidity from the shower.

* Place a wicker window box filled with small pots of herbs in a kitchen.

* For a more formal window box, place hydrangeas in a faux stone window box. Wrap decorative paper around each plant’s pot for an additional touch. You can replace the paper as necessary.

* Use floral foam to lift the plants up to the desired height. The foam is lightweight, inexpensive, allows air to circulate and resists mold and mildew.
* Try some ivy topiaries to add structure, height and a hinty of whimsy. This is particularly effective in a kitchen.The top of the pot sits an inch or two below the rim of the windowbox.

*Add flowering plants to any room in the house. The idea is to fill any gaping holes and give the box a polished, finished look. Smaller pots may need to be raised with pieces of floral foam. The great thing about not planting into soil is that plants can be moved round till you’re satisfied with the look.

* Top-dress any of your window plants or window boxed with moss or spanish moss to hide the plastic pots.

Instead of bright and bold, use a combination of traditional houseplants and seasonal favorites to make a serene area in your home . When these start to fade at season’s end, simply switch them out for whatever suits your fancy at that point.

Indoor plants dry out quickly so keep them watered, but don’t overwater because that can lead to pests, diseases and too much weight on your window box.

Try a window box in the bathroom, too–whether or not there’s a window. Many plants, like ferns, will love the humidity.