10 MISC. PUBLICATION 4 8 3, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



TIME TO PLANT DIFFERENT VEGETABLES 



Because of the great diversity of climates and seasons over the 

 country, no detailed information on planting dates can be given in 

 this publication. Vegetables, however, may be roughly classified 

 and sown according to their hardiness and temperature requirements. 

 Gardeners should consult their experienced neighbors and local 

 agricultural advisers or obtain the more detailed publications avail- 

 able on gardening (p. 11). A rough timetable of planting is shown 

 as table 3. 



Table 3. — Approximate tiyne to plant certain vegetables 



CULTIVATING AND MULCHING 



All weeds must be kept under control by thorough shallow cultiva- 

 tion or hoeing. Vegetable crops should not be cultivated deeply 

 because of danger to the roots that grow near the surface. Weeds 

 that take root again readily after hoeing or pulling should be carried 

 out of the garden. The garden should be cultivated as soon as the 

 soil is dry enough after each rain or irrigation and as often in addition 

 as is necessary to keep the weeds down. There is no proved benefit 

 from stirring an already cultivated soil that is free of weeds. 



Care should be taken to avoid trampling and packing the soil so 

 far as practicable. Mulching between the rows with straw, dried 

 lawn clippings, leaves, or similar material will help conserve moisture 

 and keep down weeds. 



WATERING OR IRRIGATION 



Frequent light sprinkling or irrigation is a bad practice. If water 

 is to be applied, the garden should be thoroughly and deeply soaked, 

 as by a fairly heavy rain, and watered again only when the soil shows 

 signs of becoming dry. 



