CHAPTER XTIII 



GARDEN CALENDAR FOR NORTHERN STATES 



Any person familiar with garden methods, will know 

 about the right time to plant each of the. garden crops. The 

 exact time for planting varies from year to year, and varies 

 greatly in different latitudes and climates. It is impossible, 

 therefore, to give any calendar for planting, or other garden 

 operations which can be followed absolutely. A calendar of 

 this kind should be merely suggestive to young people, teachers', 

 and others who have their attention much of the time on other 

 matters. Such a calendar may be referred to occasionally 

 and will be helpful in suggesting about the proper time for 

 different garden operations. 



JANUARY 



Vegetables. — Begin planning the garden by choosing 

 varieties, and ordering seed. 



If plants of various kinds are in coldframes, they should 

 be cared for on warm sunny days; a little ventilation is then 

 necessary. Give the plants all the air and light possible with- 

 out allowing them to be chilled too badly. If water is stand- 

 ing in the frames, be sure that it is drained away. In coldest 

 weather the sashes should be well covered with straw mats, 

 or other material, and the frames well surrounded with a bank 

 of manure. 



Preparations may be made for the starting of hotbeds. 

 Manure to be used in hotbeds in winter should be stored where 

 it will not freeze. A box stall, where a horse is kept, is a good 

 place to allow it to accumulate for this purpose. Hotbed sash 

 should be glazed and put in repair. If the frames for the beds 

 are not ready they should be made this month. 



Wood ashes should be saved under shelter for use in the 

 garden next spring. Coal ashes may be used on heavy clay 

 soils just to lighten the texture. 



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