STARTING A GARDEN 5 



Paths on which a barrow has to be wheeled should be 

 4 ft. wide, and 4^-5 ft. is none too much. 



If you decide to have grass in the centre get some 

 thoroughly capable man from a nursery to lay the turf. 

 If you decide to make a rock-garden, the stones should 

 be wheeled on to the plot. They can then wait a bit, for 

 you have much to do before you have time to build rock- 

 work. 



Perhaps you wish to grow as many hardy flowers as you 

 can. Then perennials must be your first thought. If 

 your garden faces South, cut off 10 ft. wide at the top 

 end of it, and make this your perennial border. The best 

 time to plant perennials is from November to March, 

 and if you get a few roots of such perennials as Doronicums, 

 Anchusas, Erigerons, Chrysanthemum maximum, Lupins, 

 Pyrethrums, and Michaelmas Daisies, and plant them 

 firmly in the soil 2-3 ft. apart each way, they will make a 

 brave show in the summer. 



When these are planted you can think of the other parts 

 of the garden. If you have made a long border running 

 North and South, or facing any direction save North, 

 nothing will look better in it than early-flowering border 

 chrysanthemums. Rooted cuttings of these can be 

 obtained in February and March, and if they are planted 

 in a frame, made out of a packing case and some old glass, 

 they will grow strongly, and be ready to plant out in April. 



Another sunny border may be reserved for Dahlias if 

 you wish. For my own part I do not care for them, but 

 no doubt they are very showy. Roots ready for planting 

 can be obtained in April and May. 



We now come to summer bedding, and to the use of 

 hardy annuals for filling beds and borders. Every amateur 

 gardener prides himself on his border of summer bedding. 

 Later on I shall show how he may outdo his friends and 

 neighbours if he displays originality in this direction. But 

 for the moment I say : keep a good long border reserved 

 for summer bedding, and do not have it more than 4 ft. 

 or at the most 6 ft. wide. If, however, the plot left for 



