When did *I* get a green thumb?!

[mizarchivist]

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.

w

Comments

Great Minds Think Alike...

[kebbykate.livejournal.com]

I was doing much the same thing today. I would love an aloe, but I don't when we'd manage to get together.

Re: Great Minds Think Alike...

[mizarchivist]

One never knows. I will note that you'd like the aloe- I'm not in a rush to send him off- just sometime before it's cold and I need to bring them in for the winter.

[fidgetmonster.livejournal.com]

papyrus is so cute! There are kits you can get for raised beds (pre-cut cedar or composit + braces) if you don't want to do the fabrication yourself. Add dirt, compost, maybe some sand, then plant. Weed-whack proof. It'll dry out a little quicker than the ground, but not as fast as pots. You can sink the whole pot of mint in the ground, leaving 1-2" above the soil line to keep it from running. Herbs will grow much bigger in the ground than in the pots, for the most part--more room to spread and less stress.

[mizarchivist]

I'm hoping that I can convince the DMH Building Committee to add a special rush job on this. *crosses fingers*

[fidgetmonster.livejournal.com]

That's better, because then you can get it sized specifically for the space you want it to fit in - more like a planter than just a raised bed. Maybe even a special containment section for the mint :)

Re: Great Minds Think Alike...

[kebbykate.livejournal.com]

Okay, that should be doable.

[drwex]

Holy cow that aloe is insane! If those things grew faster they'd take over the world. Or something.