My Planter Project

First, dear readers, I have to share some news. We are moving from our little oasis, our nest of marital bliss. This is not so exciting, but we found a new place and I'm sure we'll have fun there too.

Secondly, right before I found out we had to move, I got this burning desire to plant something. To plant a lot of things. I never wanted to have to buy tomatoes or herbs again. Undaunted by our profound lack of yard, I set to work building a planter. Slightly ill-conceived, but functional for now. Lunch today was balsamic reduction, mozzarella, tomatoes and basil-from-the-planter, so today it's a success.

I broke out our circular saw for the first time to cut down lots of 8'x2"x1" boards. I read all the cautions very carefully, because I knew Eric would be upset to see me fingerless.

I made up the shape on the spot, and if I was going to do it again, I would make it shallower and wider. My plants are pretty smashed in together. And, filled with dirt, it weighs about 200 pounds. I'm still hoping, hoping we can move it though.

I cut a sheet of....whatever that holey board is called....to fit the bottom to allow excess water to drain. I worked furiously all day because I knew that the project would go over waaaay better with Eric if I was done with it when he saw it for the first time, than if the thing was still in pieces all over the porch.

I filled the bottom with gravel to help with drainage too. (Eric came home and said "You bought rocks and dirt???" But he thought it was great over all.)

It actually took 3 50-pound-bags of dirt to fill the thing.

I planted rosemary, basil, parsely, two types of mint, cilantro, oregano, tomatoes, and then our neighbor gave me some tiny little pepper plants. Yes, all that in that little space. Next time I'd do it differently. It's 3"x2"x2"

Oh, see how my darling plants have grown!! It's thrilling to see how much they grow every week. They are all doing fantastic except for the oregano, which now that I think of it may have been thyme. Anyway, its dead.

I hope I can move it in a month with out emptying it.