Back porch farming

I got the idea to plant arugula and greens in hanging pots from an urban farm in New Orleans where I volunteered for a week in the spring. The greens grew great in their greenhouse and they were able to grow twice as much since they used upward space as well as table space. I figure my small back porch won't be able to accommodate everyone and a garden unless I hang it above us. It's a great idea. (check out this video if you're interested in learning more about what's going down in NOLA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMLGXVHv_bQ). 

In my head I was envisioning literally the whole porch lined with pots. Reality: 4 pots in the back right corner.

I found out (from my friend at Boston Gardner) that these greens NEED shade. so this back right corner is the perfect (and only) place for them. I don't think ill be able to grow them along the whole perimeter of the porch after all.

Beyond the hanging pots, I wasn't expecting to grow much outside of the garden. Yet, somehow the Pleasant St. Garden is overflowing to my back porch. Or maybe I'm just somewhat hooked at this point. I find it quite amazing that you can grow pretty much anything in pretty much any type of container. When I ran out of terra-cotta pots I found myself dumping clothes out of plastic bins, stealing food bins from housemates and raiding the tupperware cabinet. those sufficed very nicely. the small ones will need to be upgraded but it'll do for now. On my bike ride back from Trader Joe's earlier this evening I spotted a bin on the sidewalk that must have been in a "free" pile. Totally snatched it. I'm on the lookout because I have so many seeds left, I have a mint plant needing a home, I'd like to get my hands on some kale, and I need to move some of these guys to a more roomy living space.

Lettuce in the big bin, collard greens in small bin/plastic tupperwares and 2 pots, basil (the little guys) in pot and the mystery plant from Boston Gardner in the small pot.

In order to plant all of these things, I'm realizing you need a lot of soil. I had to make a run to the nearest TrueValue and grab some soil. This is how I transported it home. Like a true urban farmer, I suppose.

Any suggestions or anything at all...please share!