Thursday, May 13, 2010

TAA, TAA, how does your garden grow?

I have a confession to make. I've... killed before. And I'll kill again. I don't want to, really, I don't. I try and try not to, but I just can't help myself. I start out with the best of intentions, but sooner or later I've got another dead thing on my hands. I am... a plant serial killer. I've killed succulents, mother-in-law's tongue, peace lilies, herbs of all varieties. And in my apartment right now are an African violet and an orchid that are in their last throes. I can't be stopped. And it's products like the two below that only encourage me to do it again. These clever garden solutions for small spaces are so cute and look so easy that I'm tempted to try to grow something once again. Maybe this time it'll work... This time... Apartment Therapy: Boston recently posted about the Simple Garden by Fertile Earth, a kit that has everything you need to start a lil' garden in a cute container. The box the kit comes in is the container itself (the clear lid helps create a greenhouse environment while the seeds are germinating), and inside is soil, seeds, instructions, and a few tools.
Fertile Earth's video (which can be seen at the Apartment Therapy link) is admittedly pretty cheese-tastic -- it IS home shopping, after all -- but it's still a nice introduction to their product.
Over at Remodelista, they reviewed Woolly Pockets, which are hangable pouches (they remind me of hanging shoe organizers) that can be used to create a garden indoors or out. They're made of recycled plastic bottles, and are breathable and flexible. Lined versions are for indoor use (so that you don't get water on your walls or floor), while unlined versions are better for outdoor spaces where you can allow a little more drainage.
I love the look of the plants spilling over their pockets, creeping and climbing down the wall. I really want to turn part of my living room wall into a panel of green ivy and ferns... but perhaps I should stop myself before I kill again. Via Apartment Therapy: Boston, Fertile Earth, Remodelista, and Woolly Pockets.
Posted by at 11:37 AM
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10 comments:

  1. BetsyMay 13, 2010 at 12:46 PM

    Thankyouthankyouthankyou! I feel so much better knowing I'm not the only one out there. My apartment gets a sliver of sun between 12 noon & 2 pm and the best lit place is the bathroom. I've been traumtized no end whenever one of my babies die by my hands. Will check out your listings. Love your blog as it's truly TAA. I've flipped through many an interior design books for small spaces and I'm not convinced these are truly small spaces.

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  2. Simone...May 13, 2010 at 1:00 PM

    I think we live in the same apartment. I get light in the bathroom and bedroom from 11ish to 2ish, and that's it. All the other rooms and even my front stoop are completely shaded. I might have to go the fake plant route if I'm ever going to have something green in my apartment.

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  3. Silence DogoodMay 13, 2010 at 1:50 PM

    I just chucked some succulents in the bin myself. I think I'm going to try something totally hands-off, like tulips in a flower box, at least they will come up when Spring comes, even if it's just for a few weeks.

    Although I'd love an African violet (my mom's lived for 14 years, until the Great Ice Storm of 2009), I know I'd kill it within days.

    My thumb is a harbinger of death.

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  4. GingerMay 13, 2010 at 2:42 PM

    I know EXACTLY how you feel;) I have tried to get so many things to grow under my caring, attentive hands . . . and they all, without faul, wither and die. I fertilize, I research, I give them the proper sun and drainage . . . still, no love. I guarantee I will keep trying though (ooo! a tomato plant at the farmer's market! Excuse me . . .)

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  5. Simone...May 13, 2010 at 3:17 PM

    I swear, I'm the Dexter of plants. No matter what I do, all plants under my care shrivel and die. The DEA should use me to infiltrate marijuana grow houses and destroy the crops.

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  6. AnonymousMay 13, 2010 at 7:33 PM

    Nice to know I'm not the only one, though right now I'm have success with an aloe vera plant. Everything else dies though :(

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  7. Fat CatMay 18, 2010 at 9:23 AM

    A disparate comment from the other side of the pond here... I have exactly the opposite problem. I am a serial... plant collector. Seriously it's also a curse. I have got about 50 indoor plants (some of them rejects that were dying on my mum) and probably twice that amount on my balconies and everything is... thriving and growing. My TAA is turning into a jungle and of course I cannot bear the thought of giving any of my 'babies' away... even if gardening is a very time consuming hobby !

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  8. Cat Sitter in the CityMay 21, 2010 at 9:09 AM

    Like you, I am terrible with plants, and one of my cat sitting clients just asked me to water her plants while she is away knowing full well that I kill every plant I touch. Maybe things will be different this time. I hope so. In the meantime, I am going to go to Kmart today and buy a little gardening kit. I really want to get better with plants because I would love to have some greenery in my apartment.

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  9. Cat@BudgetBlondeMay 21, 2010 at 9:38 PM

    Haha, you are too funny. I love your writing style. I'm new here and will be coming back!!

    xoxo, Cat

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  10. EileenMay 25, 2010 at 11:22 PM

    :) .. you are not alone .. :)

    And I live with two serial plant killers..my cats! Vicious they are..no mercy. I am growing a tiny little marigold plant at work. So far so good. Eight little sprouts! My coworker told me to pull some out to make room..something about the roots. I cannot believe it, I get them to grow and now I'm supposed to kill some on purpose! No way! I divided them into two pots.

    I need to check out the Woolly Pockets for my patio!

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