STARTING A GARDEN 7 



In this case beds and borders may already exist, but you 

 can extend and improve them as you think fit. 



Unless the trees are taken down, a part of the garden 

 will be more or less shaded from the sun. Such a spot is 

 always a difficulty. It is often given over to ivy and 

 weeds ; but if spare soil can be obtained, make a mound 

 here, supporting the soil with a few stones and burrs, and 

 plant hardy ferns on it. Beginners often make the mistake 

 of attempting a rock-garden in such a place, but no error 

 could be greater. A rock-garden in dense shade would 

 only grow hardy Ferns, London-pride, Cerastium, and two 

 or three other plants. All true rock plants revel in sun- 

 shine, and loathe damp shady places where there is 

 continual drip from the trees. A rock-garden, if made at 

 all, should be in an open sunny spot, such as the centre of 

 the garden. 



Having planted your perennials, the rock-garden may if 

 you wish be taken in hand as described in Chapter X. 

 Rock-gardens may be constructed at any time from October 

 to April, and the plants set in the soil either as the work 

 proceeds, or when it is completed. 



The next thing is to think about getting seeds of annuals 

 and biennials, and as a matter of fact perennials also. 

 Selections of what to grow will be found in Chapters IV, 

 V, and VII. With ordinary care any of them will give 

 excellent results, but as some things will not thrive in all 

 localities, the best course is to consult a good local seeds- 

 man on plants which will do best in your locality and 

 soil. April is the best month to sow annuals in the open 

 ground, and March in pots, so that the first few months 

 of your gardening year will be busy ones. 



I would urge upon the beginner the wisdom of getting 

 plants started in the garden as soon as possible. Some 

 people advise us to make our paths properly, get all our 

 borders edged, put up pergolas, arches, and poles, build 

 pits, frames, and so on before anything else ! But no ! 

 These folks are wrong. All these things can be done later 

 if need be. Unless we can begin early in the autumn, 



