CALENDAR REGULATING VEGETABLE 

 CULTURE 



IN studying this Calendar, the gardener must recognise the fact that 

 while no two months are really alike in weather conditions, it often 

 happens that there is but little difference in this matter between two 

 consecutive months, so that such two months may be classed as one period 

 for gardening purposes, and the operations suited to both carried out 

 whenever suitable opportunity occurs. There is no hard and fast rule ; it 

 depends upon the locality, state of the weather and soil, and the gardener's 

 convenience as to what should or should not be done at a certain period 

 of the year. 



JANUARY. This should be considered the most important month 

 in the garden calendar, for it is a time of study and planning. Every 

 thoughtful gardener will now be devoting his energies to the arrangements 

 for next year's crops how he shall divide his available garden ground 

 fairly between the subjects he intends to grow ; what those subjects shall 

 be ; where he shall purchase his seeds ; and numerous other items of 

 procedure. If the weather is favourable, by all means get to work 

 outside digging, trenching, manuring ; but do not attempt anything 

 of the sort if the weather conditions are not agreeable. Seeds of Celery, 

 Leeks, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Celeriac, and Cauliflowers may be sown in 

 a brisk heat under glass. 



FEBRUARY. In some respects, the outlook for this month is similar 

 to that of January. If the weather is of a fair nature, however, seeds 

 of Parsnips, Onions, and Broad Beans may be sown, but not if the soil is 

 in a bad condition, and Shallots should be planted. Attend to seedlings 

 under glass ; see that they are placed, in heat of course, quite close to 

 the glass. Do not delay the purchase of seed Potatoes ; box them, and 

 expose them to light in a frost-proof building. 



MARCH. The first of the " sowing " months. The weather, however, is 

 often unpropitious, and sowings, except of the more hardy subjects, should 

 be deferred till next month. At all events, Shallots, Onions, Turnips, 

 Parsnips, Peas, Spinach, and Broad Beans should be got in ; while on a 

 warm border Shorthorn Carrots, Lettuces, and Radishes may be sown. 

 Sow seeds of all kinds of Greenstuffs. If fair weather obtains, sow Carrots ; 

 Potatoes (early kinds) may be planted. Sprinkle superphosphate and 

 soot in all seed and potato drills. Dig, manure, and clear the ground of 

 all rubbish by burning, etc. Sow Dwarf Beans, Peas, Maize, Cauliflowers, 

 Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, under glass. Plant Seakale. 



APRIL. The second " sowing " month ; and the most reliable. Seeds 

 of nearly every vegetable of a fairly hardy or main-crop nature should be 

 sown now ; and towards end of month, Beet, Chinese Artichokes, Dwarf 

 Beans, Asparagus, Chives, Oka, Seakale, Salsify, Scorzonera, Skirret, 



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