8 Pawla’s Violet Gardens 
VIOLET CULTURE 
It is advisable to put plants you receive into a pan of water for a couple 
of hours. They have been traveling and are sure to be thirsty. Then about 
sundown tuck them into beds of fluffy leaf mold, or compost that is well 
rotted, mixed with good soil. 
DIG the holes deep enough for the longest roots and spread them out fan 
shaped so they can go to work at once. Do not plant roots in a tight bundle. 
Place so that crown will be level with top soil. Small plants 8 inches apart, 
large plants 12 to 18 inches. 
WATER: If soil is not damp then put in water and use plenty of leaf mold 
to keep the ground from drying. If ground is kept damp they will grow in 
sun or shade. 
COVER or give a paper shelter for a few days until they get adjusted, 
especially if it is very hot, cold or windy. 
WHEN TRANSPLANTING large or wild violets it is best to cut all green 
leaves off, also buds, two or three inches from crown. This throws strength 
into roots and new leaves will start in a few days. 
CULTIVATION: Keep ground cultivated and free of pests. In September 
spade deeply around plants and cut off old leaves, and water well. In Cali- 
fornia this brings early blooms. 
FERTILIZER: A little bone meal and sulphur spaded in twice a year is good. 
Cow and sheep manure well rotted is fine, but horse manure produces more 
leaves, less blooms. Oak leaf mould and compost is better than any other 
food. It feeds, holds moisture and aereates. One tablespoon of fish meal in 
two gallons of water put around the plant a month or so before blooming 
time will pay in abundant blossoms. 
RUNNERS: If you want plants, cover the upright runners until they root then 
plant in new ground. If you wish blossoms, cut off the runners. Do not allow 
to crowd or get too thick. They should be thinned and moved to new soil 
the third year. 
MOVE ANY TIME, if leaves are cut back, plants shaded and kept wet. 
MOST VIOLETS WILL BLOOM the same season they are transplanted. 
DISCOURAGE BUGS and snails by sprinkling wood ashes or sulphur 
around plants. 
Violets like lots of their own kind around them and will bring color 
and fragrance to your garden. They will respond generously to the care 
you give them. 
REST: Like all of us, Violets like a rest period. So during the hot summer 
cover with leaf mould. Double Violets and those that grow from corms 
should be protected in winter and watered in summer, not allowing to get 
dry while resting. 
