The daily tribune., 1909-04-19
SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING
GROWING PORCH GARDENS

with the city. and see her emerge
from town of a babe to one OF green
lawns arc apt to think the visitor
too critical who complains of the
scarcity of flowers md shrubs in our
yards, but nevertheless the criticism
is true. The front lawns are too
small for flower beds and often too
shady we know, and the lack of
moisture and the hard winds make
gardening rather more difficult
than in other places. but still
with desire, some trouble and n
little knowledge we can at least
have porch gardens The Oiyic
Improvement league has taken
step in the right direction in improv
ing the appearance of Florence and 1T
is now up to the people to do their
share. Below are given n few diTec-
tions for porch gardening:
1t will generality be more satisfac
tory to buy the plants end vines than
to start them from seeds and cut.
tings, However, some may be grown
from seed without much trouble. es-
pacially the vines Among the up
right plants suitable for sunny
porch are geraniums, heliotrope, can
mas aud Marguerltes. For trailing
plants in the same location use verbe-
mas, lobelias, pertunias and allysium.
For vines plant thumbergia, man
randyu or kenliworth ivy. For
shady or partially shaded porch de-
pend mostly on Boston fern asparagus.
sprengerli. Gala lilies, the potted
lenved variety and oolors. The
vines for such box may be kenli.
worth ivy, German ivy. vinca or
Wandering jew.
The greatest expense will be in
providing suitable boxes. Unless
somo member of the family can make
them mt home. The boxes should be
at lenst ten inches wide and ten
inches deep, and as long as desired.
Place the box on the proch railing or
window sill. A better way. though,
is to suspend the box by wooden or
wire brackets below tho window sill
Or raillug, Paint or stain the box
dark green or brown, stone gray or
the color of tho porch trimmings. a
few holes should be bored in the bot.
tom of the box and the bottom of the
box te covered with pebbles or broken
pottery to insure perfect drainage.
The soil should consist of about
three parts good garden soil or leaf
mould; ono part we'll rotted COW man.
ure we'll pulverized. aud one part
sand. Now If your box is to have
sunny position why not have u red,
white and blue box for planting in
your box red geraniums, white geran-
iums or sweet allysium and blue 10.
bella. and vines to hang over the |
front of the box. If you do not care
60 express your patriotism in that way
use pink geraniums and white Mnrg. |
uerltes and vines If you wish to
compete for the prize use red ger
aniums and for vines, the ivy. If |
your porch or window is shady don I
attempt geraniums but have u fern
box. Boston forn or asparagus
sprongerii and any of the vines
suitable for shudy places Nastur.
tums. the tall growing variety,
with nothing else make the most
beautiful Of boxes for partially
shaded location.
Now word about hanging bns.
kets. No porch garden Is complete
without n hanging basket or two.
Thoy nro harder to grow than most
potted plants because they are out
sooner In their exposed position md
when not on level with one's eyes
are apt to be forgotten. II you wish
to TO successful with thom II yer use
= shallow dish but deep pot or pal