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PLANNING YOUR VEGETABLE GARDEN 
THE GARDEN PLAN 
Because of the need and the scarcity of certain garden supplies, it is essential that the 
home garden should be planned with care. The primary purpose of a vegetable garden 
today should be to provide the maximum food crop. Plan intelligently, garden diligently 
and be faithful to the task through the year. The garden should be planned for the par- 
ticular family it is to serve and the needs and preference of the family should be the guide 
for its making. Prepare an early, definite and detailed plan. It can easily be changed if 
necessary and the advantages will be many. You will make greater use of the area with less 
waste of seed, a more complete succession of crops, as well as a better appearing garden. 
In addition, you will know when and how to plant. (The charts on the following pages, 
_ specially revised for this area, will be of help in planning your vegetable garden. ) 
TYPES OF GARDENS 
From the important standpoint of becoming self sustaining the ideal Complete garden 
would be one that will supply the family budget with Summer vegetables with some for 
canning and storage in sufficient quantities for year round use. A Semi-Complete garden 
might be planned to provide for Summer eating and canning where storage is impractical. 
Vegetables from the fresh-eating garden would supply crops only for Summer use. 
The beginner should especially consider the ease of culture, heavy production, and those 
crops that will help to produce a balanced diet. In times of emergency people want the most 
for their money. With this in mind, crops that are specially recommended for Berkshire 
include tomatoes, snap beans, carrots, cabbage, lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, and beets; 
if sufficient space is available plant sweet corn. 
LOCATION AND THE PREPARATION 
One usually has to use the size and location that is available. However, here are points 
to keep in mind. It is important that a sunny area be chosen. The plot should not be near 
trees. Do not plant more than can be properly handled. Make certain that the plot has 
sufficient loam and good drainage. If in doubt, consult your local Home Garden Com- 
mittee. 
Thorough soil preparation is essential. The garden should be plowed or spaded to a 
depth of at least eight inches. The top should be thoroughly disked and raked to break 
up the lumps and smooth the seedbed. A little extra care in preparing the soil at this time 
will save much labor later. Most vegetables will not grow well in soils that are acid. The 
most accurate method of checking is to have a soil sample tested by your county agent or 
some other qualified agency. However, in general with acid soil it is sound practice to apply 
magnesium limestone every three years at the rate of 25 to 40 pounds per 1000 square feet of 
garden. A good way to improve the soil is to apply barnyard manure at the rate of a tipcart 
load per 1000 sq. ft. This can be supplemented with superphosphate or commercial Fer- 
tilizer at the rate of 20 to 30 pounds per 1000 square feet. If manure is not available 
commercial Fertilizer should be used at the rate of 40 to 50 pounds per 1000 square feet. 
IMPORTANT POINTS 
The garden should be cultivated frequently to keep down weeds and keep the soil in 
good tilth. Insect pests and plant diseases must be controlled. Every gardener should have 
a hand duster or sprayer to combat efficiently the many diseases and insects which are 
common to garden crops. For more complete information on the Home Garden see Ex- 
tension Leaflet No. 59, ‘‘The Home Garden”, and Extension Leaflet No. 171, “Pest Control 
In The Home Garden’’. These leaflets may be obtained from your local Home Garden Com- 
mittee or from the Berkshire County Extension Service. 
CONCLUSION 
(1) Don’t start what you can’t finish. (2) Don’t waste good seed on bad soil. (3) Don’t 
work ground too soon. (4) Don’t run rows up and down a hill. (5) Don’t use too much seed. 
(6) Don’t plant too much of one thing. (7) Don’t let the tall crops shade out the shortiones. 
(8) Don’t cultivate too deeply and injure delicate roots. (9) Don’t let weeds have a start. 
(10) Don’t let the bugs beat you to it. (11) Don’t let anything go to waste. 
