az_pamperedchef, Our secret: LOVE ;) We are experimenting in different boxes with different soil mixes. This box is a 50/50 of Amend soil and Kellog potting soil brands. [Kellogg All Natural Outdoor Potting Soil: chicken manure, kelp meal and worm castings] The shallots didn't really like the mix (too moist), the sweet onions loved it. We have several other watermelon and cantaloupe planted in different mix boxes (straight GroWell Organics soil mix) and they aren't doing as well as this Black Diamond. So, as soon as these straight boxes are done this season, we are going to split them to a 50/25/25 and see how that works out.

Rot. Emergency. Nurse, scalpel! Chop off healthy pieces of stem, they will root quickly and by this time next year you should have half a dozen plants just like this one. Only they'll be alive ;) For future reference, these need very little water in winter, none might be safer. The leaves on your plant are fat and happy to the point they might burst, nice and pretty, but I'd let it look visibly thirsty before watering when the sun is weak and temperatures are not so hot. You could also try a potting soil which is half grit or perlite instead of the rather peaty looking mix I see which will go very soggy.

Thanks Kathi! Pennyhal: I was raised in a family where plants were always around. My grandfather started in the chrysanthemum business, and my uncles both took after him. I used to work in the greenhouse when I was in gradeschool and jr high. I always had an appreciation for plants, but the succulents have always caught my eye. I have an apreciation for chrysanthemums, but def dont love them, I find many other plants interesting but most dont have such a wide variety and the strange factor that succulents do. I enjoyed orchids for some time, but they became too much of a one trick pony for me (its an ok looking plant, 95% of the time and spectacular when it blooms but thats such a rarity) My moms was has been dabbling with the idea of doing succulent containers and arrangments etc, so I told her I would try and grow a variety for her. So i started collecting all the different ones that caught my eye. That business has not really gotten off the ground yet, but I am still just collecting away, and propagating in my free time!

That is one amazing DIY. You guys are so clever and creative! That soapstone is killing me -- I'm trying to touch that incredible vein through my monitor. Now I have to ask -- what is on the other side of the kitchen, beyond your angled wall and little table-n-chairs set? It looks like more chairs. What's that room, if I may ask? I love your trash can in your island. I love all of the clever ways you added space...the soap pullout, the angled tray cabinet, etc. Brilliant! Congrats -- enjoy it!