I have spent the past two and a half days digging and dividing iris that were growing on the sunny side of the house, which faces mostly east. I want to make a cold frame there so that I can grow spinach, kale, and lettuce through most of the winter. I may be able to grow carrots and keep some of my herbs going, as well. The iris, most likely, have never been divided and I suspect that they have been growing there for many years. It was a formidable task, but I was grateful when it was accomplished and I was able to share the iris with two other women.They were thrilled to get them and it was gratifying for me to have worked so hard and to know that I made others happy in the process.
I have never had a cold frame and not being a carpenter (as I learned when making the coop for my chickens) I do not know how this project will turn out. I have a small roll of plastic left over from the coop windows, which I will use instead of glass. I Googled for some information this morning and learned that I can actually use styrofoam coolers, rather than having to build a frame from wood. People often want to give these away, as they are not recyclable; however, even if I have to purchase them, they are relatively inexpensive. I have been making compost all summer long, of which some is now usable; so the only thing that I will have to buy is a thermometer. It can get too warm in a cold frame on sunny days, the ideal temperature being around 70℉. While I have not yet completed the permaculture course that I am taking, I realized that I have been employing many of the principles for my entire life, which are reusing, recycling, and repurposing. My cold frame project may prove to be challenging, but I am up for the challenge. I hope to keep my sage alive to use in turkey stuffing for Thanksgiving. I want to eat fresh salad greens without having to buy them from the store, when they are already several days old. I need to keep my cat happy by growing fresh greens and catnip for him; so he will not eat my houseplants. And, I want to ensure that my parsley survives through December so that I can make tabbouleh salad for my daughter when she returns home from her deployment.
This is a terrible place to live for a gardener; however, building a cold frame is one way that I hope to make the best of my situation. I am looking (and gardening) on the sunny side!
