Dirt Therapy Prescribed for February
The Smell of Soil is Nature’s Medicine
There’s something quietly rebellious about growing things in February.
Outside, the ground is frozen and the forecast is stubbornly wintry. But inside Heidi’s GrowHaus, Owner Heidi Heiland is inviting you to dig in anyway — literally. Her upcoming terrarium workshop is part hands-on class, part creative experience, and part midwinter therapy session.
“I think the benefit of doing a terrarium workshop right now is just to touch God’s green earth in the middle of a long winter,” Heidi told me. “We all need a little bit of a respite. And you know this: when you touch soil, it releases serotonin in your brain. We all are eager for that.”
So, what exactly is a terrarium?
At its simplest, a terrarium is a clear glass container without a drainage hole, a self-contained little biosphere for miniature plants. Think of it as an indoor garden experience small enough to sit on your kitchen counter or living room side table.
Because the glass retains moisture, terrariums are surprisingly forgiving in our notoriously dry Minnesota homes. The key is in the layering: rock on the bottom, then charcoal, then soil. That foundation keeps roots from sitting in water, even if you get a little heavy-handed with the watering can.
The plants themselves tend to be slow-growing. Succulents are a natural fit, which means your terrarium can carry you through several seasons before it ever needs repotting.
What to expect when you walk in
Heidi describes her workshops as an “open guided making experience,” and that’s exactly what it feels like. There’s no pressure, no prior experience required, and no single right answer.
“Many times people come in and they don’t have any experience, any confidence, and they don’t know how to make the choices,” she said. “We empower them and guide them to trust their instincts. The people-plant connection is a strong bond, and they’re much more connected than they give themselves credit for.”
After a brief welcome and overview, participants select their container, choose their plants, and head to the workspace to build. Heidi and her staff stay close, offering guidance, but the creative choices are yours. She laughs recalling the moments when a student’s combination stops everyone in their tracks.
“Half the time the staff all go, ‘Wow, we never would have thought of that.’”
Sun, shade, and Minnesota microclimates
One question I had to ask: what about light? In late February, our windows aren’t exactly generous.
Heidi’s answer was reassuring. “Plants don’t actively grow as much in our winters anyway, so they’re just fine with a sunny window, even if it’s winter sun.” Shadier spots, further from windows and deeper into your home, work well for certain plants too. The terrarium’s glass sides even offer a little buffer from drafts.
Her broader advice? Don’t overthink it. “Nature is pretty dang resilient. If one plant didn’t grow but four of them did, well, that’s kind of how it goes in life, too. Not everything thrives always. And that’s how we learn and grow.”
What you take home
Heidi says you’ll leave with a finished terrarium, a little living art piece.
“I hope they leave knowing they are better at this than they give themselves credit for,” Heidi said. “That they’re naturally wired to play with plants and have the plants teach them.”
I’ve had the pleasure of watching Heidi teach for years and the one thing that I know her for is her encouragement to keep trying. Do an experiment. If it doesn’t work, try something different. In Minnesota in February, that feels like the best message.
Terrarium Workshop at Heidi’s GrowHaus
When: February 28 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Your $15 registration fee covers tools, materials, and instruction from Heidi’s expert staff. Plants, vessels, and decorative accents are selected à la carte, so you can build something simple or more elaborate depending on what speaks to you.
Register by following this link.
Dirty hands, happy heart!
Until next time,
Diana
#bloomwithme
What fun! My Saturday is already booked, but I hope you will post a reminder next year because I would love to take this class. ❤️