192 Gardening 
other conditions of the garden should be determined in 
advance of planting at the time when the garden plan is 
made (see Chapter 8). Suggestions as to the proper 
spacing of rows and of plants in the row will be given in 
the directions for the culture of the various crops. 
Depth of planting. If seeds are planted too deep, they 
may die and rot because they are too wet and too cold 
and do not have enough air. If they are planted too 
shallow, there is danger that they will dry out or be 
washed out by heavy rains. 
Different kinds of seeds have different germination 
needs and must be planted at different depths. Corn, 
peas, and beans should be planted 2 or 3 inches deep; 
seeds of beets, cucumbers, squashes, and melons about 
1 inch deep; and small seeds like those of carrots, 
radishes, lettuce, and parsnips only about 4 inch. The 
seedlings from the smaller seeds are not so strong as those 
of larger seeds and hence are not able to push their stems 
and first leaves up through so much soil. But one 
cannot follow exactly any ‘‘ rule of thumb ” in planting. 
Under the discussion of the various crops later, sugges- 
tions as to planting will be given. However, it is well 
to remember that, generally speaking, seeds should be 
planted deeper in a loose, warm soil than in a cold, heavy 
soul; and later in the season when the ground is warm 
they should be planted somewhat deeper than in early spring. 
Peas might well be planted 3 inches deep in light, sandy 
soil, but not more than 1 inch deep in heavy soils. 
Covering seeds. After sowing, the seeds should be 
covered with soil, and usually this soil should be firmed 
about the seeds. Firming brings the soil particles close 
