Materials needed:

A wide and shallow container (terra cotta) with a drainage hole
A saucer or plate to place your container on to catch draining water
Potting soil specifically for cacti and succulents
Small stone
Decorative sand and/or pebbles
Cacti and/or succulents (succulents need more water than cacti so you may want to choose to plant one or the other)
Gardening gloves (especially if you are planting cacti-succulents do not have thorns)
Water

Cover the drainage hole of your container with the small stone leaving just enough space for proper drainage.

Fill the container with the soil, leaving about an inch of space to the top of the rim.

Dig small holes in soil for planting.

Plant your garden. Be sure to wear gloves! Take the cactus and/or succulents from their pots and remove the extra soil from the roots. Place the plants in holes and cover the roots with the soil.

Add sand and pebbles on top of the soil to create your desert.

Decorate your desert with stones, small pieces of driftwood, and figurines.

Maintain your garden. Your garden desert will need 4-6 hours of direct sunlight everyday. Water your garden sparingly: Let the soil almost dry out completely before you water. (That might be once every week or two). Remember, succulents will need to be watered more frequently than cacti

Learn more about the desert:

http://www.desertusa.com/life.html

http://www.mbgnet.net/

Ruthie Bon Bair:
Do Not Go To Bed with Wringing Wet Hair!
By, Susan Lubner   Illustrated by Bruce Whatley
www.susanlubner.com