A CALENDAR OF SIMPLE 

 MONTHLY WORK 1 



JANUARY 



Flower Garden. There is less work in the garden at this time than at any other, as 

 the ground should have been prepared before this ; but make all arrears good at once. 

 Those who have frames may with advantage sow a few half-hardy annuals, but it is use- 

 less to sow too early if the plants cannot be grown on under frame culture until the 

 spring is well advanced. Plants needed for beds or grouping, such as Ageratums, Musks, 

 Cinerarias, or similar subjects, specially the single Begonias, may now be sown. Now is 

 a good time to rearrange new quarters, rockwork, finish planting of any kind if the 

 weather is open, lay turf, gravel, and drain or make walks. Plants wintered in frames, 

 such as Pansies, will need care to prevent damping, and free ventilation in favourable 

 weather. 



Vegetables. Those who have land still needing digging should lose no time. Peas 

 may be sown in pots in frames for early use to plant out in March. In open weather 

 Broad Beans may be sown, choosing the Early Long-pod section, but only in a warm, 

 dry soil is it wise to sow thus early. Seed Potatoes in the store should be got in readi- 

 ness, specially the early kinds. These are best placed end-ways, the eyes upwards, in 

 shallow boxes ready for planting, and placed in a cool corner near the light to encourage 

 sturdy shoots. Frame Potatoes should be planted. Also cover Seakale to blanch; 

 manure is not a necessity, it blanches well under pots with a simple covering of soil or 

 leaves. The same remark applies to early Rhubarb ; this will force if lifted and placed 

 in any out-of-the-way dark spot, such as under a greenhouse stage. Seeds of all kinds 

 should be procured ; old stocks examined and tested for future work. 



Fruit Garden. Planting in mild weather should be pushed forward, and all nailing, 

 except Peaches and Nectarines, completed. Hardy Vines may with advantage be given 

 new surface food in the way of a rich compost, adding bone-meal freely. Pruning should 

 be completed, and in the case of very thick old trees of standard Apples and Pears, thin 

 out cross branches, useless or badly-placed wood, to admit light and obtain finer fruits. 

 New trees planted in the autumn should be staked securely, also a mulch given in severe 

 weather, using any spent manure for this purpose. Shoots may be cut for grafting and 

 trees headed down, and the shoots laid in soil under a north wall until required. 



FEBRUARY 



Flower Garden. More half-hardy seeds may be sown now than advised previously, 

 and if means are at hand to propagate by cuttings or division, increase the stock in this 

 way too. In mild winters the herbaceous borders may be thinned, plants that have become 

 poor given manure, and others divided. Bulbs pushing through the soil are much 

 benefited, if at all tender, by a mulch of light material or soil drawn up to protect the 

 rising and tender growths. Chrysanthemums should be taken out of the cutting-pot if 

 struck early. Late cuttings may be struck. Dahlias started into growth in frames to 

 make cuttings ; the latter are much better than old tubers planted. 



Vegetables. This month, no matter how small the garden, is a month of work, as 

 in sheltered spots a start may be made with early Peas, Beans, and Salads, such as Lettuce 

 and Radishes. A few Potatoes may be planted under a north wall. Onions sown in well- 

 prepared land, the seed-beds made as firm as possible both before and after the sowing. 



1 This is a calendar of simple monthly duties in the garden, and will prove helpful 

 to beginners and young gardeners as a reminder of the importance of sowing and plant- 

 ing at the right time. Future success greatly depends upon this. 



