10 HENDERSON'S GARDEN GUIDE AND RECORD. 



Planning the Vegetable Garden 



It is impossible to plan specific gardens suited to all locations and requirements but a 

 few of the principles of correct garden practice may prove suggestive to those planning 

 individual gardens. (The subjects of location, soil, drainage, feeding, cultivating, etc., 

 have been covered on the preceding page.) 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. The old style method of 

 raised plots or beds, often bordered with grass, parsley or some dwarf edging plant makes 

 a pretty garden but requires more time and labor to plant, cultivate and keep in order than 

 a garden planted on the level and thereby make the most of the ground and get maximum 

 results with a minimum of labor. The rowsif practicable should run nearly north and south 

 thus getting the full benefit of the forenoon sun on the east side of the rows and the after- 

 noon sun on the opposite side and for the same reason tall growing plants: corn, peas, pole 

 beans, tomatoes, etc., should be planted north of the dwarf crops so development of the 

 latter will 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 j umbled promiscuously anywhere, thus likely inter- 

 fering 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 preferablj% 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 indispensable 

 adjunct to up to date gardening operations. With one the work can be accomplished 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 vege- 

 tables that need quick, warm soil. 



Companion and Succession 

 Vegetable Cropping 



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 8, may be referred to as a guide to the 

 length of time various kinds require to be readj^ to use. From this Companion Crops may 

 be planned, such as radish and lettuce between cabbages and cabbage rows. The radish 

 being 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 summer 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 

 sorts follow on the same ground early or summer-maturing vegetables. Late cabbage, 

 cauliflower, lettuce or celery from the seed bed may take the place of early bush beans, 

 beets, 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. 



