When did *I* get a green thumb?!

Well, I do now.
Today I got red leaf letuce and some bee balm. This adds to my chocolate mint, rose "bush" (stick), "Audrey II" sized aloe, and lavender. And vampiric papyrus. I'll be getting basil, rosemary, and probably a few other herbs in a few weeks, too.
Everything's up in pots on homemade ledges to keep my landlord from weedwacking it (he already has killed mint- seriously). Now I really want to have a box- probably about 3x4 feet so I can actually plant things. Does fidgetmonster have any sage (hahahaha) advice on this project?
Potted vs. really planted:
I can't plant the paypyrus since it needs standing water. I won't plant the mint because I want other things to live. The aloe stays potted, too, as I don't think it would do well outside in the winter - does anyone it? I'd like to start over with ones that don't get so BIG- yes, sweetmmeblue, this is the one you gave me when it was the size of 3 fingers.
Any suggestions on what to plant next to what and/or what to avoid are welcome.

( picture of the garden cut for bandwidth )

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