OCR Text |
Show Grow Your Own Vitamins Following This Easy Plan r . r ' - . . J 1 1 s ' ' . )K - . '. . -.1 : . . ' i - - v - - I Measure straight lines for best seed sowing result. A straight line makes the shortest short-est path to success in laying out a vegetable garden. Because your rows of seedlings should run north and south to get the sunlight's even distribution, the ideal garden shape is oblong, with the short side also running north and south. With short rows, the gardener isn't tempted to sow more of any one vegetable than his family and friends can use. Short rows are easy to cultivate by hand and also save time in dividing the plot among different crops. Suare up the corners of the boundary line and make the rows exactly parallel with the sides. An exception to the rule for straight rows may be made in hilly country, where the wash of soil may be checked by contour planting. Here rows should run at right angles to the slope, but they should still be parallel, tkough on rounded slopes they will be curved. Winding and uneven rows will double the gardener's work in cultivating the plants and also make the plot look sloppy. Two factors should influence the spacing of the rows the needs of the crop and the convenience con-venience of cultivation. In rich soil, vegetables can be spaced closer than. they would be in poorer poor-er soil. When placed too close, however, it is difficult to cultivate culti-vate between the rows. For plants growing twelve inches tall or less, rows may be spaced ten inches to a foot apart and cultivated with hand tools. For cultivation with a wheel hoe, eighteen inches is likely to be found a minimum distance, since it is necessary to avoid disturbing disturb-ing the roots of the vegetables, whatever tool is used. Taller vegetables, and those that make vines, large bushes or have a sprawling habit, must be given more distance between rows. In small gardens, four feet will usually be the maximum distance, dis-tance, given only for such crops as bush squash and cucumbers. First, decide on the crops you will grow, which should be those that your family favors, or needs for good health. Next, determine the quantity of your needs including in-cluding what you will eat during the season and what you will preserve pre-serve for next winter. In this way you won't overproduce and, everyone in the family will get a fair share of his favorite vegetable vege-table while it is still crisp and delicious, fresh from the soil. |