Grow up

I would never describe myself as having a green thumb. A black thumb, maybe. Purple thumb, sure. Well, a reddish-purple thumb thanks to a botched job hammering nails into one of my bedroom walls while hanging artwork last evening. It still smarts. But I blame my gardening ineptitude on the fact that I'm an apartment dweller, always have been, and that I've never had the space or land to get growing.

So today, after a nostalgic chat with college pals about this and that and how we used to raise our dorm beds on cinder blocks to make the twin beds seem larger, and to create additional storage space under them for our goods, I got to thinking about what other multifunctional purpose these hollow masonry blocks could serve. Well, how about a table base and planter in one!

A perfect solution for spatially-challenged patios, decks or backyards, this easy to do and inexpensive (cinder blocks cost just a few bucks each) DIY structure will give you a place to put your plants, and food and drink when dining alfresco. Best yet, this idea is meant for gardening novices. Just face the blocks towards the sun, fill the holes with good potting soil, and plant your favorite flowers or herbs. However, since there isn't much room for the flowers or herbs to grow upward, make sure you plant them at a slight angle so they develop outward towards the opening of the block. And if you're like me and their standard grey color just doesn't do it for you, then punch them up with paint.

As soon as my thumb heals I think I'm going to go for green and put together a cinder block garden/ buffet table on my deck. Now what to plant?