apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

cnn on organizing

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/14/organizers/

Now that it is garden season, does anyone have a good resource for inspiration and ideas for small gardens? Our front "yard" is only 8' x 8' and I would like to plant perennials and some annuals but I'm looking for something a little more interesting.

Thanks

I actually garden a lot, when I moved into this house there was nothing left and I started getting plant and bulb catalogs so that I could see zone information and info on mature plants. ( moved from zone 9 to zone 5-there's a BIG difference in what grows here ) Wildseedfarms.com is a great catalog so is michiganbulb.com. I also use bhg.com (better home and garden) I use websites and catalogs for plant ideas, then I go to a local nursery or store find out what's available locally and talk to the workers there. I find that in small local stores they know their plants, and what works in your area. Also, magazines like Dwell, Domino, Met home, all have garden articles with some great "idea" pictures.

Just remember that you should have a plan for your planting or else you will end up buying to many or to few plants. If you plan on staying in your space for a few years than go for less annuals (using them for color) and more perenials for your plantings. (I don't know where you are or I would recommend actual plants)

Think about the size of your space and how much time you really want to give your plants. In a small space like this, you may want to container garden more than anything else. They are a lot of bang for your buck and pots are a great design element. THey also give almost instant gratification-

Anybody have ideas of organizing craft supplies- more like beads and such-not like scrapbook stuff- I have tons of tiny little things that are taking over my office and when I need them I can't seem to find anything......

lorijo, they make lots of stuff for beaders...here's one:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=230&PRODID=60124

just search "bead organizers" and you should be set! :)

also, you can do small jars or something fun...be inventive!

oh, and here's a better link for container store...it's their hobby "parts" section:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/index.jhtml?CATID=230&howMany=999&viewAll=true

anyone have a recommendation for a simple white shower curtain that doesn't need a liner? I love CB2's canvas shower curtain (http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=476&f=3283) but called customer service who said they strongly recommend using a liner with it, and I just hate having a curtain and a liner. I'm open to synthetic but it would be nice if it doesn't look "synthetic." Thanks!

I remember there was a "spirited" discussion about people using hallway space outside their condos/apartments a few months ago. Today's NY Times has this article re same:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/26/garden/26halls.html

To ahatton: I've seen lovely things happen with simple whole wheat grass in pots. Just buy wheat at a health food store and prepare a pot of any size with soil, then put a layer of wheat seeds along the top. The layer shouldn't let any soil peek through. Then water every day. The grass sprouts in a very short time but also dies off in a very short time, but it's a simple project and easy to just replant. And it brings a little of that refreshing green to the apartment. It's a project I've bee meaning to do.

To lorijo: the first thing that pops in my mind is small plastic drawers to sit on the desktop or on top of each other in a cabinet. The ones that are see-through in the front are the best. I bet they sell them at the Container Store.

does anyone have a recommendation on where to get drapes sewn up? i have the fabric and hardware but just need the actual panels sewn up. i tried zarin's but too expensive and mood fabrics couldnt even get me an estimate over a 2 week period of calling them every few days. any recs appreciated! thanks!