POT HERB CROPS 235 



A Plan for a Marigold Border Garden. 



small pots. The French sorts are said to blossom quicker 

 and earlier when their roots are confined to pots, even after 

 setting in the open garden. 



POT HERB CROPS 



A number of vegetables which are grown in order that the 

 leaves may be cooked and eaten are called pot herbs. These 

 leaves and plants are also often spoken of as greens. In 

 different regions, different wild plants are commonly used for 

 greens, although those which are grown in gardens for this 

 purpose are comparatively few in number. Of these, spin- 

 ach, or, as it is often spelled and always pronounced, spinage, 

 is probably the most important. 



Spinach is a crop which will not stand hot weather. Con- 

 sequently, it must be grown in spring or autumn, and, 

 fortunately, it is sufficiently hardy to survive the winter, 

 requiring a protecting mulch, however, in more northern 

 regions. Under favorable conditions the seeds germinate 

 quickly and the seedlings mature rapidly, so that they are 

 large enough for use in from six to eight weeks from the time 

 of sowing. It thrives best in a warm, rich, loamy soil that 

 can be worked early in spring, so that the seedlings may get 



