CHAPTER XIV 



SUGGESTIONS FOR GARDEN WORK BY MONTHS FOR 

 NORTHERN STATES 



It may be helpful to beginners as well as to others to arrange a 

 number of suggestions regarding the care of the home garden and 

 home grounds in the form of a monthly calendar. This may as 

 well begin with January as with any other month. 



The calendar for northern states may differ materially from 

 that for southern states. The latitude to be considered here is 

 about that of New York, Chicago and westward. 



January. — Look over the supply of stored seeds and see that 

 they are not being ruined by mice or weevils. Make plans for the 

 spring planting and write for seed catalogues. 



Examine the flower pits and the vegetable pits and see that the 

 winter weather is not injuring anything. A little extra covering 

 may be necessary. 



Hardy plants stored in coldframes should be examined to see 

 that drainage is still good and that no harm is coming to the plants. 

 Protect all places where wind is finding its way into the frames. 

 Bank up with a little more manure or soil for extra protection. 



Watch the storage cellar and see that no injury is done by 

 cold weather. 



See that plenty of manure is applied to the rhubarb and aspara- 

 gus rows if this has been neglected in the fall. 



Indoor plants may be propagated at this season of the year. 

 Make leaf cuttings and green-wood cuttings and start them in 

 boxes of clean moist sand. Bulbs may be potted early in January 

 and put in cold places to start their roots slowly. 



February.— Make all preparations for an early hotbed. See 

 that the frame is in repair and the sash in good condition. Plans 

 should be made for good horse manure at the time it is needed. 

 Examine garden tools and implements and see that the metal 

 parts are well oiled or covered with wagon grease to prevent dam- 

 age from rust. 



Test seeds. Order the spring supply of seeds. 



The hotbeds should be started at least by the end of the month. 

 Plant in them seeds of cabbage, cauliflower, beets, carrots, parsley, 

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