The "chill airs and wintry winds" are sure in evidence, today. The wind is NNW at 15-20 mph, the temp. hasn't reached 35 degrees, and the wind chill makes it feel--I don't know what--but it's cold. Still, I'll take it over 95 degrees and humid! (I know, You may think I'm crazy, but "different strokes for different folks".) :>)

Whoa, pippi! LOL! Soil and all the other paraphernalia gets hauled up here in a shopping cart on the regular ol' elevator - storing it once I get it up here is the real challenge! True, I don't have four-legged critters to deal with (other than my plant-eating cat), but the pigeons, starlings and other birds up here really do lead me on a merry chase. The windowboxes are attached to the railing with box hangers - they really are quite sturdy and steady. I do use lightweight pots and "soilless" potting mix, so weight is not a big problem. It can get pretty windy up here at times (the balcony isn't enclosed), which is the main reason I don't have hanging pots; I'm too afraid something will go sailing over the railing and I'd end up under arrest for involuntary manslaughter. So far, I've been lucky and if anything falls, it just falls over onto the terrace floor. Trying to grow tomatoes in containers is what led me to GW in the first place, and ultimately to winter sowing. I do share toms (and plants) with my neighbors and friends. All the other plants and flowers? The enabling people here at the WS forum have got me hooked - just look at all the wonderful pics that they post! I just figure that anything that can be grown in the ground can be grown in a pot, as long as it's big enough! And since I can be a bit obsessive about things, I try them all! Great fun! And no, I don't decorate the balcony for the holidays; tried it one year, but I felt like a target up here once I put up lights, so gave up on it. PV

Tiny reminescense of Persian Berry who the gophers pulled down their tunnel. Thank you for posting your pictures here. Enjoyed them (more are welcome :-)

I am grateful to find you all. I live in Fort Collins Colorado and am an SFG devotee. Last year I started with 3--3x3 and 1--1x3 containers with water reservoirs; after all the summer hail storms, I rigged out the containers with Conestoga wagon style, PVC pipe braces that can be covered with plant fabric in a pinch for protection. The 3--3x3 containers are on the south side of the house between our property and our neighbors in front of the gate to the backyard. The 1x3 with a trellis is behind the gate adjacent to the back lawn fence that we share with that same neighbor. I am preparing to add another 3x3 container in the back lawn. As I am a SFG devotee, I do my best to plant with Mel's Mix. I started a compost bin on the north side of the house but between not turning it consistently and not being too cognizant about balancing my browns and greens the pile has fallen asleep and I need to wake it up (smile) I would also like to plant the window boxes on the west side of our home with short carrots and beets instead of flowers this year. I would also like to put containers on our west-facing front porch and try to plant Yukon Gold potatoes. They will not have reservoirs so I want to try the water jug with a wick to the planter technique. DH plants two earth boxes on the west side of the house with tomatoes and mows the lawns. I talked him into letting me convert half the front lawn (yin yang inspired). Now it is half grass. The other half is half rock mulch and half wood mulch the later my husband scored when he chatted up the tree surgeons that were working on another property on our street. The wind had me and the cats up last night but now that it has chased the clouds away I will be about taking an inventory of the sheds, setting up the new containers, and direct sowing the cool season vegetable seeds. I look forward to learning many things from all of you. I will try to read the previous threads and to avoid posting any redundant questions. Thank you in advance for your patience.