Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-03-12
How to Plan and
Locate Gardens

choicest plot OF ground on the farm
for his vegetable garden. and no pains
are spared to make the land rich and
productive. The city or village gar
dencr, on the other hand, has ihtls or
no choice ~ to tho character q the
soil or its location, II 10 . question
with him OF taking the available lana
and doing the best he can with II, the
land at his disposal often u shaded
during a portion OF the day, and tho
soil frequently consists OF hard clay,
refuse accumulated from building
operations, or materials that nave
been dumped upon the land. ~ -
possible, however. to grow many OF the
garden vegetables under adverse con-
d.tions. Results obtained by many
city gardeners during the past two
years are considered truly remarkable
by specialists OF the United States de'
partment OF agriculture.
In casting about for n location TOT
the garden. the back yard or home plot
should be given first consideration. ths
specialists say. As a general rule,
location near the house Is most oeslr-
able. In the Hrst place. II the garden
is near. Il can be worked during snort
periods Of available time. then, II IL
more convenient for gathering the
veecta blcs as they are wanted for use
and finally. the garden can be potter
protected from moicstation.
Vacant Lots Often Coed.
IT the back yard or other ground
near the dwelling IL too small. 10
shaded during a considerable portion
of the day, or II the soil Is OF such
character that vegetables can not DC
grown upon Il, the use Of vacant lot
in the neighborhood is recommended.
Where no land Is available In the I'M
mediate vicinity Of the home, COM
munity gardens located In the outer
part of the city have proved satistac-
tory.
There is decided advantase IN
working upon ones own land. as the
soil improves from year to year ny
fertilization and cultivation. and the
hest results can lie secured where IN"
usc of the land Is assured for period
of years.
Same Location "pen'ts."
Don't mint a Garden whore the sun
dors not shine for at lcTGt fvo hours
each bright day. Don't locate the gar
don on soil that is So thin and where
tho rocks arc so near tho surface that
the carbon viii burn out during IN"
GUNNER. Don't attempt to grow n gar
de, on land that is NOR" cindeN' anu
rock than soil Don't plant saroeN
under or ncar large trees that VIII nov
only shade the crops. but in ADDITION,
draw all the moisture and p!art 1000
from the soil. Don't plant garden on
land that overfows. s
The ideal garden spot Is seldom
found but II is often poss'h!" 70 hna
location that cmhodics the NOR" I'M
portant points and then to supply the
others.
Make Plan Before Planting.
A definite plan for the garden should
be drawn on paper before any plant
ing "a done. First, determine tn" exact
dimensions o. the available land: men
ASCERTAIN which parts Of the garden
will M best adopted to certain crops
especiaIly those that require n alar"c
amount Of sunshine Outline the gar
den nIan on paper and sketch In N"
crors that are to be planted upon each
part.
In p'nrninc 'hr garden u sh"n'd TO
borne N mind that cnrtainc crops. sneh
as lottucc. rad shes and early pcets'
can frequently be grown In the eamo
rows with other crops and ne TO-
moved hefore the r-ain crop ata'ns
sufficient size to require the entre
space. II should also he remembered
that carrots. hects. satisfy. early tur-
nips. pa-srips. and all crops OF that
typo NAV no grown In row" IL to ~
inches apart and will occupy a COM
parativeiy small amount of space "
grouped together. Tn" taller growing
crops. such as pole beans. tomatoes
trained TO Rtakes and sweet corn,
should be planted ut one side Of the
garden where they will not shade the
smaller crops.