FIG. 85 Chart showing average length of growing season and when the season 

 begins and ends in various localities in the United States. Such a chart for 

 a locality, together with a table of planting dates for different vegetables (pages 

 348 and 349) are a great aid to the gardener in deciding what crops to grow 

 and when to plant them. 



beds and cold frames and transplanting to the garden 

 when danger of frost is over. This may be in February 

 or later, according to the locality. 



CLIMATE AND WEATHER 



Except in the more southern parts of the United States 

 the actual work of getting the soil ready for planting can 

 be done only when the ground has thawed and dried out 

 after the winter's freezing. As spring advances, the 

 heat received from the sun during the day remains in 

 the earth longer at night, and finally the soil is warm 

 enough throughout the night to serve as the home of 

 the roots of young plants. About this time, and seldom 

 before, the soil becomes dry enough for spading. 



