Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1918-03-11
Some Suggestions for the Small Gar.
den Which Should be Helpful
to Those Wishing to Help
Solve Food Problem.
SEED FOR FAMILY OF FOUR
Should Plan to Raise Several Crops OF
Certain Vcgctables.-Otller Sug.
geStiOnS.

SdTueu tulS ScdSOu. 1 uc past WlAtcI
has taught, it's lesson on war condi-
tons and has inspired hundreds OF
thousands of jewellers in cities, towns
and on the farms to add to the world s
storehouse of foodstuffs, through
backyard gardening. It is now none
too early to begin to plan the garden
to choose the plot, select the garden
seed and start the seed box indoors.
The action taken by the Chamber of
Commerce for the listing of all avail
able lots in the city suitable for gar
den purposes, is a long step toward en-
;>bling every boy, man or woman. WHO
desires extra garden space to securing
it. Many persons hesitate to attempt
gardening on lots previously sodded,
but outside of additional work in get
ting the seed bed ready, such land
yields a splendid crop. After being
plowed deep, the ground should be
we'll disced, the additional cultivation
giving returns in vegetation well
worth the effort expended.
Can Grow Several Crops.
With a little forethought compare
lively small tract of ground may be
made to supply the average family
with fresh vegetables throughout the
growing season Most owners of small
gardens are content to raise single
crop on each plot OF land at their dis
posal. It is quite possible, however, ID
grow two or even three crops of some
vegetables in one season, and if these
are properly selected, the home grown
produce should be both better and
cheaper than any that can be purchas.
ed on the market.
Just what vegetables are to be
grown depends, of course, upon the in
dividual tastes of the family. In gen
eral, the aim of the home gardener
should be to raise vegetables in which
freshness is an important quality.
Fcas, string beans, Lima beans, aspar-
gus, and sweet corn, for example, lose
much if they are not cooked almost
Immediately after they are picked,
On the other hand, as good potatoes
usually can be bought as can be
grown. Moreover, potatoes occupy a
large area in proportion to their yield
and consume in back yard or small
garden valuable space which, in most
cases, could be put to much more pro-
fitablc USE The amount of space
available and inclination of the gar
dener should solve this problem.
Should Plan Garden.
If the small garden plot is to be
made to bring the maximum returns
in economy, every foot of it must be
made to work continuously. This can
be accomplished only by careful plan
ming, and it is recommended that a
complete layout for the garden be
drawn in advance. On the plan, the
gardener may indicate the approx
mate date when each Of his projected
crops is to be planted. No more space
should be allotted to each than is
needed to furnish the supply for fam
lily consumption or for other known
needs. In many cases, also, space
should be left between the rows for
the interplanting of later crops and
for easy cultivation. Plants which
make high growth and cause heavy
shade should not be located where
they will interfere with sun loving
plants.
In making the garden plan the gar
dener should recognize that no
amount of fertilizer, watering and
cultivation will make up for the abb
sence of sunlight in a garden. II a
successful garden is to be maintained,
the greater portion OF the plot must
have at least five hours of sunlight
a day. AS rule foliage crops, such
as lettuce, spinach, and kale, do fair
ly well tn partial shade, but even these
need sunshine two or three hours a
day. Plants which must ripen fruits,
such as tomatoes and eggplant, should
have the sunniest locations.
How Much Seed to Buy.
Vegetable seeds should be ordered
in advance of the time for planting in
the open, so that they may be started
in frames, as we'll as for use out Of
doors as soon as the weather and con q
ditions of the soil make planting pos
sible. The approximate quantities IF
seed that should be purchased for j
garden which is to supply vegetables
Tor successive planting throughout the
season for a family of four, follows,
though some families may need more
of the various vegetables and others
less:
Beans, snap. one pint