Succulent Window Box 2006
Growing succulents in the windowbox on the fire escape portion of my rooftop garden has become a tradition — most likely because they are just about the only plants that can survive the intense sun, heat, and drought. The deck is fully exposed to all sorts of harsh conditions but the fire escape area takes it to another level with black metal railings that absorb the sun’s rays throughout the day. And of course I had to go and make it worse by installing a galvanized metal windowbox to boot.
I try and mix up the plantings every year with the one requirement that the plants can survive. Plants that make it through both the summer and winter are given an easy retirement in less sunny pastures. I was shocked to discover a lavender from last year’s box still kicking it this spring.
From the Front:
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Clockwise from right front: Sedum reflexum ‘Blue Spruce’, a sedum that keeps coming up all over the place, Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’, Sedum acre ‘Golden Acre’, Sempervivum, Sedum spurium ‘Dragon’s Blood’. Hidden Behind: Sempervivum and Sedum album ‘Coral Carpet.
From the Side:
Future Boxes: 2007
June 20th, 2006 at 10:42 am
[…] I suppose this year isn’t any different, it’s just that I’m feeding a family of squirrels instead of one rogue squirrel so the damage is greater. And since this group have clearly found Eden, they aren’t planning on leaving anytime soon. Their tastes are so bizarre and varied I can’t predict which plants to protect and which to leave. They have no interest in the lettuce but have chewed off all the flowers in my succulent windowbox. They can’t be bothered with basil, but ate an entire eggplant (my ‘Turkish Orange’ no less!) seedling and a pepper plant. […]
June 22nd, 2006 at 5:48 pm
I’m excited to see others like myself don’t always have the option of having a giant lawn to plant a garden in. I live in philadelphia.. on the third floor of a nice enough building. Out my window is a blacktop square roof.. which we can climb out on and hang out.. we put out some christmas lights and lawn chairs. Because of the black top it gets pretty brutal up there but the breeze is nice. I wanted a garden tho.. so I got some terra cotta pots and went to work. Suprisingly my plants are doing pretty well! I have some annuals which are doing well. I planted some sunflowers, pansies, mint, catnip and basil from seeds and they have all sprouted. And recently I gave some cherry tomato and roma tomato seeds a shot. I was curious if you had any other ideas for plants I could do on the roof. It does get very hot out there but only for the first portion of the day and then the buildings bring on the shade. We water them one to two times a day and I usually fill the pot til it comes out of the bottom. Just to ensure they won’t dry out that quick. What can I do in the winter for my plants?
thanks!
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:00 am
[…] I discovered succulents. I’m fascinated. Inspired by You Grow Girl, I even planted a little “succulent container” in the bulb graveyard this afternoon. I love it. It needs a little gravel or something, but aren’t they crazy looking? There are a million varieties, they’ll grow like crazy in the Texas sun. […]
July 6th, 2006 at 12:05 am
[…] I also put together a new succulent planter that I’m really pleased with. I’ve been eyeing Gayla’s pictures of her succulent planters and just had to have one! […]
July 11th, 2006 at 11:31 pm
I ran into your website from google. I would appreciate if you could tell me where I can buy the galvanized rectangular windowbox. Please send your response to jianandyli22hotmail.com
Thanks,
andy
July 21st, 2006 at 8:49 am
To Andy
Ikea has galvanized window box and frame for sale.
Hardware stores, feed stores, farm supply stores, have galvanized pails and tubs (not rectangular though) or may have contacts who could frabricate something for you.
DIY books from the librabry can show you how do do your own…how hard can it be?
Shop class in local schools or trade schools may undertake a project for you.
Google Search.
Bonnie
August 6th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
Can’t find the galvanized window box at ikea.com. can you post the link? i found ones at other sites but they’re not at nice as yours. Thanks!
August 8th, 2006 at 10:02 am
I haven’t seen this windowbox on the website but they only list a handful of products there.
June 28th, 2007 at 10:59 am
[…] Previous years: 2006, 2005, 2004 […]