CHAPTER XV 



SUGGESTIONS FOR GARDEN WORK BY MONTHS IN 

 SOUTHERN STATES 



Rules for planting, harvesting, and other garden operations, 

 are not so exact for the southern states because more time for each 

 operation may be allowed. The seasons are longer except the 

 winter season. More choice may be exercised in the matter of 

 time for starting any of the crops. 



For the suggestions given here the latitude of thirty-three to 

 thirty-four degrees is to be kept in mind. For regions farther 

 north or south the dates may be varied to suit the location. In 

 regions south of the frost line there is really no true winter. Here 

 many of the plants usually started in the spring farther north are 

 planted in December. This makes them ready for market and 

 table use before spring gardens farther north are started. 



In many sections of the southern states, it is easy to grow vege- 

 tables out of their normal season. This may be done in the home 

 garden as well as in the market garden. The surplus from the 

 home garden may then be marketed with more profit. 



JANUARY 



Vegetables. — Sweet potatoes are sometimes bedded in cold- 

 frames or hotbeds by the last of January. In portions of the Gulf 

 states they will be ready for the open garden in March or April. 

 Make plans for the whole vegetable garden early in January. . Let 

 the garden work of all kinds begin as the season advances but 

 never work without a plan. Remember the advantages of planting 

 in long rows (Fig. 93) and make your plans that way. Get the soil 

 in good condition before planting. If it is too wet, the use of the 

 harrow a day or two in advance will cause it to dry out. Put a 

 forcing box covered with glass on a few clumps of asparagus and 

 rhubarb. The heat gathered from the sun may start them extra 

 early. If the ground is not frozen much transplanting of perennials 

 may take place this month. Set beds of rhubarb and asparagus. 

 Some manure may be added to the asparagus beds with profit. 

 The long sprouts coming through the thick cover will be stronger 

 and whiter. 



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