Little Giants

It is easy to grow plenty of produce

in a pint-size garden or proper container by making efficient use of every inch. Intensive gardening techniques have been used for centuries by many cultures to compensate for limitations of climate, water, labor, and arable land. Today, tiny vegetable plots are common, and we can employ those same practical ideas to get the most from a small space. Combine these concepts with petite plants, and your harvest promises to be bountiful.

1. RAISE YOUR BEDS

■ Forget about growing plants in single file in long, parallel rows separated by broad paths. You can grow up to 10 times the amount of produce in the same space by raising your beds. Raised beds allow you to concentrate your energy in a small area—working, watering, weeding, and fertilizing as economically as possible. Also, by utilizing season-extending devices such as cold frames, cloches, row covers, and plastic tunnels, you can make the most of the entire growing season.