Evening star., 1942-09-05

well appreciated to need explana-
ton. Thirdly. the job Of keeping
the edges of such beds neatly trim
med Is quite a chore. Sharply out
lined beds belong to the formal gar
den and when we try to incorporate
them into an informal planting the
results are a bit incongruous. The
place for flower borders and beds is
at the sides of the yard, preferably
where they may have a suitable
background.
OF course, the location of trees,
walks and buildings will influence
the choice of site even in the border.
The kinds of trees and their loca-
ton will have some bearing upon
flower bed sites. Shade is seldom
the determining factor for many
kinds of plants will grow and thrive
In medium to light shade, while
ferns and early spring Towering
plants will grow in heavily shaded
areas. 1t is the location of the
roots. Shallow rooted trees, such as
the American elm, soft maple and
beeches make the growing of plants
of any kind within the reach of
stheir roots almost impractical. Even
the willow trees send out their roots
for considerable distances to rob
flower beds of food and moisture, al
though their shade is OF only me-
sdium density.
ta.fDrainage and soil moisture have
q comparatively important bearing
iSpon the kinds of flowers to be
grown rather than upon the location
of the flower bed. There are flow
ering plants that thrive under boggy
conditions, but since the average
gardener is more interested in
zinnias and phlox, peonies and pop
pies he should consider the plants
which he intends to grow. Then it
will be necessary to choose q site
lMhere the soil moisture and drain
Age will provide favorable growing
conditions.
Hot dry situations are generally
thought of as being undesirable
for plants, although there are a
:, number adapted to such place.
Zinnias and marigolds, California
,poppies, portulaca, and many others
thrive in these conditions. OF
course, the soil will need to have
some humus incorporated in it to
hold some moisture for the roots
and give them an opportunity to
penetrate 1t.
Flower beds that border a walk
appeal to many gardeners since
they are easy of access, even when
the grass Is wet with dew. No doubt
there are many situations where it
is desirable to plant them along the
walk in the backyard. Surely they
will be kept weeded, cultivated and
protected from insects and diseases
better there than il, they "are out
of sight and out of mind" However,
the placing of beds alongside walk
that cuts across the yard will tend
to make it appear much smaller
than it is. Also, such beds tend to
restrict the use OF the lawn for
games, while the flowers will be
without background.
Flower beds on a steep slope tend
to dry out and the soil to wash away
unless the slope is terraced. Beds
at the foot of slope are usually
better supplied with moisture and
certainly the soil from the slope will
wash down to them Gf it does not
bury them.
Many of our annual and perennial
flowers prefer sweet or neutral soil
hence beds for such should not be
located close to rhododendrons and
azaleas which must have a strongly
acid soil to thrive.
- Vegetable gardens, as mentioned
above should be in full sun, and
most of them need excellent drain
= age. However, drainage may be
provided either by tilling the soil or
by planting the vegetables in raised
beds. Heavy soils are not as pro-
ductive as light soils, although the
addition of sand, sifted coal ashes
and decayed vegetable matter in
quantity will tighten any soil suffi-
ciently to grow good beets and car
rotS
se The rows of plants in the vege-
table plot should run north and
south to allow good development. 1t
Is possible to grow garden sue
cessfully with rows running east and
riwest by planting the taller growing
kinds to the north where they will
: not shade the lower growing kinds.
nsi Accessibility is more important in
selecting a site for the vegetable
garden than it is with the flower
garden. Most of the work in the
vegetable garden is done in the few
minutes available before and after
: work In the morning and in the eve
ming. II the garden is not close by
the temptation will be to wait until
there is more time. The picking of
fresh vegetables for the table will be
more convenient. This does not i'm
ply, however. that the back yard
Should be given over to the produc-
ttion of vegetables and that all its
other uses should be lost, for its en-
sjoyment and pleasure are values
that should strongly compete with
vegetable production. After all,
# vegetables should only be grown
where there is suitable soil, sufi-
cient time and experience for their
successful production.
. 1t is quite possible and practicable
to combine few vegetables with
flowers in the small garden. Toma-
toes may be grown at the back of
the sunny flower border, staked and
kept trimmed, and they will make
an attractive as well as productive
addition. Carrots and parsley are
suitable for edgings. Peppers are as
attractive as any foliage plant and
their shiny green fruits are interest
ing. Pole beans may be grown as
tall screen just as well as morning
glories, although they do need lots
of care to protect them from the
Mexican bean beetle
These constitute the major con-
siderations in selecting sites for
flower and vegetable beds in the
back yard. Every lot will have it's
own problems, but the interests and
desires of the gardener should be of