BETTER GARDENS 



PLANNING THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



It is impossible to plan specific gardens suited to all locations, but a few of the prin- 

 ciples of correct garden practice may prove suggestive to those planning individual gardens. 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. The old style method of raised 

 pic ts .r beds, often bordered with grass, parsley or some dwarf edging plant makes a pretty 

 gardei but requires more time and labor to plant, cultivate and keep in order than a gar- 

 den piantc-d on the level and thereby make the most of the ground and get maximum 

 re c ults with a minimum of labor. The rows if practicable should run nearly north and 

 soui'i thus gett: * the full benefit of the forenoon sun on the east side of the rows and 

 the afternoon sun on th« opposite side and for the same reason tall growing plants: Corn, 

 Peas, t^ole Beans, Tomatoes, etc., should be planted north of the dwarf crops so develop- 

 ment of the latter piil not be retarded nor restricted by shade. 



Perennial crops, those that remain in the ground year after year, such as Asparagus, 

 Rhubarb, Artichokes, Chives, Herbs, Mint, Seakale, fruit plants, etc.. should be grown 

 at one end or side of the garden and not be jumbled promiscuously anywhere, thus likely 

 interfering with soil manipulation for the annual vegetables and their situations for proper 

 rotation. Another thing to be considered is the placing of rowed crops requiring the same 

 distances between rows in continuous succession lengthwise of the garden preferably, and 

 as free from paths across the rows as possible so the wheel hoe and cultivator may be advan- 

 tageously used before being altered for rows of a different width. It may be stated here 

 that a good hand power wheel hoe with its accessories is now considered an almost indis- 

 pensable adjunct to up-to-date gardening operations. With one the work can be accom- 

 plished five times faster than with a hand hoe, much better and with greater ease; with 

 a wheel hoe the drudgery of gardening is changed to pleasant and healthful recreation. 



Another advantage of planting your garden on the level is the more even distribution 

 of water. In raised beds or ridged rows the rain or water from the hose runs off and away 

 from the plants which perhaps may be needing moisture badly. Then on the level and 

 with a wheel hoe the surface of ground that crusts after a rain can be promptly and quickly 

 stirred, thus forming a soil mulch which checks evaporation and conserves the under- 

 ground moisture. 



If part of the land is low and moist such crops as Celery, Onions and late Cucumbers 

 should be grown there, and if another portion is high, warm and dry that is the place for 

 early vegetables that need quick, warm soil. 



To get the greatest amount of vegetable products throughout the season from the 

 garden area, Companion and Succession planting is the correct practice. 



COMPANION VEGETABLE CROPS are two or more kinds of early (quick) and later 

 maturing vegetables that work well together planted on the same piece of ground. As 

 the quick-growing sorts are removed, the later, slower-growing vegetables develop and 

 occupy the ground. 



Our "Table for Vegetable Seed Sowers" on page S, may be referred to as a guide to 

 the length of time various kinds require to be ready to use. From this. Companion Crops 

 may be planned, such as Radish and Lettuce between Cabbages and Cabbage rows. The 

 Radish boing ready first, gives room for the Lettuce and after the Lettuce is removed the 

 Cabbage will occupy the ground. Other suggestive Companion Vegetable Crops are, early 

 Beets or Bush Beans with Melons, Squash or Cucumbers, or dwarf early Peas, summer 

 Onions, etc., between rows of Celery which will not require "earthing up" before the sum- 

 mer crops are removed. Radish may be sown with Beets, Onions, Carrots, etc., the Radish 

 being ready first will give room for the slower growing succeeding crop, etc.. etc. 



SUCCESSION VEGETABLE CROPS are so planned that late or fall-maturing sons 

 i.)llow on the same ground early or summer-maturing vegetables. Late Cabbage, Cauli- 

 flower. Lettuce or Celery from the seed bed may take the place of early Bush Beans. H, i 

 Lettuce, Peas, etc., or some quick-growing vegetables may be sown after the early ones 

 have been removed — as early Sweet Corn, Cucumbers for Pickles, Turnips. Bush Beans, etc. 



Many examples of Companion and Succession Vegetable Crops could be given but 

 the above will suffice, as suggestions in planning to suit your own garden and requirements . 



