
THE GIST OF THE STORY 
for Vegetable Gardeners 
There’s no end fo the science of vegetable gardening—nor to the 
books that have been written about this fascinating subject. But 
if you haven’t the time to read all the books, then fry the brief 
paragraphs that follow. Here are the fundamental facts—the 
things every vegetable gardener should know—AND DO! 
ASPARAGUS 
Soak seed 24 hrs. before planting. 
Sow in loose, rich, moist soil after 
danger from frost is past. Thin to 
stand 6” apart. In early spring, set 
in permanent position, 24” apart, 
in rows 36” apart. Set in hole so 
that crown is 8” below surface, but 
only cover tips with 3” of soil. As 
plants grow, fill in until level. 
Don’t cut 1st year after setting. 
BEETS 
Each ‘‘seed” is a fruit with several 
true seeds. No matter how thinly 
beets are sown, they will need 
thinning. Plant as soon as ground 
can be worked in spring, thin 
gradually (use thinnings as greens) 
until roots stand 4” apart. Make 
three sowings, one early, one three 
weeks later and one 60 days before 
frost is expected. 
BRUSSELS SPROUTS 
Grow like late cabbage, but don’t 
use until after heads have been 
frosted. 
BROCCOLI 
Start plants indoors 5 wks. before 
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Broccoli heads must be harvested 
before they bloom: they are in- 
edible after yellow flowers appear. 
Direct-seed for late crop 60 days 
before frost is expected. 
Special Directions for Control- 
ling Insects in Cauliflower, 
Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts 
Use Rotenone dust or spray. It 
must hit insects directly, so drive 
them out of inner head by dusting 
or spraying with light dose of 
Rotenone. Allow plant to stand for 
10 minutes, then go back over the 
same row with a heavy dose of 
Rotenone. By this time the worms 
will be out on the surface and are 
sure to be killed. Repeat every 
10 days. 
BRUSSELS SPROUTS 
Follow directions for late cabbage. 
EARLY CABBAGE 
Start plants inside (see above). 
Set out 12” x 24” as soon as frost 
danger is past. Dusting with D.D.T. 
is safe if outer leaves are dis- 
carded, since plant grows from 
the inside out. 
LATE CABBAGE 
Direct-seed four months before 
frost is expected, thinning to 24” 
x 36”. Or start plant indoors (see 
above) 30 days before needed, 
transplanting outdoors 90 days be- 
fore frost. Don’t water freely 
when heads are nearly filled, as 
this promotes splitting; irrigate 
only enough to keep plants grow- 
ing well. 
CELERY 
Start in hotbed 60 days before 
needed. In setting outdoors, don’t 
get soil in or over crown. Set 7” 
to 12” apart. Soil must be rich, 
moist and loose. As soon as plants 
have grown to 14” to 15” tall, set 
12” boards on both sides of row 
and hold in place with earth. Or 
4” drain tile can be used to blanch 
individual stalks. 
Celery must have warm, settled 
weather: if chilled, plants are 
likely to go to seed. 
CHINESE CABBAGE 
Must never be grown as a spring 
crop since it will only go to seed. 
Plant after June 15th, as days 
are getting shorter: then it will 
head. An excellent succession crop 
to follow early peas. 
COLLARDS 
Follow directions for early cab- 
bage. 
CUCUMBERS 
Sandy soils with plenty of com- 
post are best. Roots have difficulty 
on heavy soils. Plant 8 to 10 seeds 
in a hill (see above—A HILLIS A 
HOLE). When vine is 6” long, thin 
to three strongest plants. Keep 
fruits picked to promote continu- 
ous fruiting. If compost isn’t 
available, feed with commercial 
fertilizers. Use plenty of moisture: 
cucumbers are 90% water. 
EGGPLANT 
Start seed indoors 8 weeks before 
plants are needed. Set out after 
apple blossoms have fallen and 
weather is warm and settled. Feed 
and water liberally as Eggplant 
needs to be kept growing rapidly 
to produce well. D.D.T. will con- 
trol pests that until now made this 
a tricky crop to grow, 
ENDIVE 
Strictly a cool-weather crop: -gets 
bitter at temperatures much above 
80°. Plant very early and again in 
mid-July. Use last planting as late 
fall salad crop, and store surplus 
in cold frame or cellar by digging 
each plant with ball of soil. Space 
12” apart in rows 18” apart. Feed 
liberally for bigger, crisper heads. 
KALE 
Grow like Brussels Sprouts. 
(Continued on Page 15) 
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