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.
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