Please visit my photoblog below to get an idea of what I am talking
about:

First a quick note about navigating the site. Click any thumbnail to
see the picture, and click the big one to zoom in. You can zoom in more
from the next page.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/talllguy/sets/595528/

My first question is in reference to the plants in the flower-box. This
self-watering flower-box is very handy. It keeps everything watered
24/7. However, I am worried about over-watering. In the close up shots,
you can see some green stuff on the surface of the dirt. Is this algae?
How can I stop this and will it hurt my plants?

My other question is about the mint garden. As you can see, my plants
are beginning to grow. I water them with the sprinkler for about an
hour a day. Will they spread in this clay soil? I tilled it prior to
planting, and mixed in some top soil. However, with watering everyday,
the soil seems to have settled. I want this area to be completely
DEVOURED by the mint, which is why I planted such a intrusive array of
plants. I noticed the peppermint tends to grow out, while the others
just grow up. What can I expect and when?

I live in Maryland, north of Baltimore. The soil is all clay. The
summer is hot and humid (85+ everyday). It rains regularly all season
all year. Snow comes in late December and usually lasts on and off
until March.

That said, what can I expect of my creations year-round? Thanks a lot!

The plants in your hydroculture pot look OK - the 'algae' is more likely moss.
While moss won't hurt your seedlings, it does compete for soil nutrients. If it bothers you, just change the soil - either way, it's not something to worry to much about.

In most pots like this, the reservoir of water is usually lower or outside of where the roots of your plant are. Over watering is not a problem. These pots are made to prevent this. Just keep an eye on the water gauge and you'll be fine.

You look like you're in a 6b growing zone. You can expect your mint to die back in the winter and return the following spring. The apple mint I have in the garden sends out long runners - 5 feet in the spring along the surface until the soil warms enough for the runners to underground.
It takes root easily and send up new plants where it takes root. Very invasive. Give it two or three seasons and it will cover a six to ten square foot patch of your garden. The spearmint I have doesn't seem to spread as much but it seeds readily. Get some of this and you'll have seedlings everywhere the following year. Eau de cologne mint is another one with long runners - give it two seasons and look out! Lemon Balm, also in the mint family, self seeds prolifically!

Mint seems to grow in just about any kind of soil to some degree or other. I have no dought that in a sunny, moist spot in your garden, you'll have it for many years.

Article on mint... visit: http://www.handales.com/displayartic...?doc=534&grp=1

Have fun.