Bottle gardens are clean and tidy and require almost no attention once they are made. You can buy the things you need from a garden centre and make it on the table at home.

Garden Planner

To make a bottle garden you will need : a large glass bottle with a lid; small pebbles; small pieces of charcoal; damp soil; several small plants; a large spoon or trowel.

Garden Maker

1. Remove the lid from the glass jar and lay it on it's side.

2. Place a layer of pebbles on the bottom of the jar.

3. On top of this spread a layer of charcoal.

4. Spread a layer of damp soil over the charcoal.

5. Use the spoon or trowel to make shallow holes in the soil.

6. Insert a few small plants (ferns, ivy and african violets are popular choices).

7. Cover the roots with soil and sprinkle water over the plants.

8. replace the lid on the bottle, making sure that it fits snugly.

9. Put the bottle in a warm, light place.

10. Watch the plants continue to grow as the water is recycled inside the glass jar.