Maximum Yield USA March 2018 | Page 53

garage or other building as there is a lot of heat that escapes from an occupied home and a cold frame can capture some of that. Cold frames can consistently produce many pounds of cold-tolerant greens throughout the winter (or at least for several weeks later that could be harvested in soil alone) and several weeks before planting would be possible in the spring. The keys to successful cold frame growing are choosing cold tolerant crops (greens are ideal for this) and having as insulated a structure as possible facing the sun. The beauty of cold frames and their ability to heat the soil and grow space many degrees warmer than the surrounding space also means that they need to be monitored frequently and will need ventilation so that the greens inside do not get too warm. This is not a recommended method for novice growers, but it is something that can be attempted on any scale when you have a little bit of growing experience under your belt. OTHER OPTIONS There are by far many other options for growing greens in tight spaces than just those listed above. Every living space can be re-examined with an eye towards efficient food production. Ceiling hooks meant for pots and pans can be repurposed to hold hanging baskets bursting with greens and herbs, right in the kitchen where they will be used anyway. A dining room table centerpiece could just as easily be a pot of living herbs that each diner can pluck off to season their own meals as needed. Curio cabinets and hutches can become living galleries of glorious greens that change with the season and with each harvest. There is literally no limit to the number of spaces in even the smallest of living areas where greens and herbs can be grown and enjoyed. feature 51