Evening star., 1945-04-29

bit of food produced in the yard or
sary total. A few tomato plants, S
carrots, beets, etc., in the flower
border will not only keep it attrac-
tive but will produce worthwhile
food. The ingenious gardener will
find many ways to work vegetables
into his flower border If he will but
take the time to study 1t.
Tomatoes trained to stakes in the
background will provide foliage and
luscious fruit without displacing
many of the taller growing plants
which normally occupy that situa-
ton. They begin bearing in July
and continue until frost cuts them
down late in October or early No
vember. They are the most impor-
tant crop to be grown and one that
every one enjoys. In we'll -cared-for
border each plant should produce a
peck or more of fruit In a season.
If the disease-resistant Marglobe or
Rutgers are planted they seldom
need spraying, but they will need to
be kept watered and well fertilized
if they are to bear abundantly.
Swiss chard is another long sea-
son crop that fits into the flower
border most effectively. The bright
green foliage is attractive. Where
red foliage is desirable the rhubarb
chard may be used. Both continue
to grow and produce a useful crop
from June until November freezes
stop growth. Chard is highly pro-
ductive plant and one that is nor
mally substituted for spinach during
the summer months, when spinach
cannot be grown. Only few plants
are needed since the outer leaves
are harvested, not the entire plant.
If kept watered and well fed dozen
plants will be ample
Peppers are a third-long season
crop that is attractive both in foli-
age and fruit. They begin produc-
ing in July and continue until cut
down by frost. Peppers need to be
kept growing vigorously to produce
we'll. A stunted plant does not bear
freely and the fruit produced Is apt
to be tough and lacking in flavor.
However, by keeping them well wa
tered and by giving an occasional
application of plant food, three or
four plants should supply the fam
ily's needs. Do not lime the soil
where peppers are to be plant -.
The tomatoes, chard, and pe ppers
are fairly tall growers and should be
toward the back of the border
Parsley, lettuce, beets and carrots
are lower growing and may be used
as an edging. However, it takes
only a few plants of parsley to
supply the family table and so it
is hardly worth growing as an edg-
ing plant. More important, it does
best in moist place and will stand
a bit of shade A few plants near
the spigot should be sufficient.
Beets, carrots and lettuce are short
season crops that may be planted in
the odd spot where some garden
flower has disappeared. Of course,
the beets and carrots are root crops
and something will need to be done
to tighten the soil or they will not
do we'll. If compost is available and
we'll mixed into the soil both carrots
and beets should do well. If the
beets come up too quickly they may
be transplanted to other spots, but
the carrots can only be thinned.
Pole beans may be trained up on
the fence or on the side of the
garage. Even cucumbers may be
trained up on strings If one has the
patience. But, as indicated above,
there are many ways to grow a few
vegetables in the small yard with
out doing away with the flowers.
The point is to grow as many as will
be useful and can be worked into
the space available
However, 1t is pointed out once
again that vegetables do not toll
crate shade. They require sunshine
at least six hours a day. Full sun
is needed if they are to have the
maximum health-giving vitamins
and minerals. Nor do vegetables
thrive and produce tender crops,
full favored, when grown in an
impoverished soil. Incorporate hu-
mus into the SON whenever possible
to increase its water-holding ca
pacity and to render it friable.