Beans, Broad

The main crop of these may be sown any time between the middle and end of the month; the smaller kinds in rows from a foot to eighteen inches asunder, the larger sorts two or three feet apart. Such as were sown, if any, last month in frames, must be hardened off previous to planting out, or otherwise they will not be strong enough to battle with frost should it overtake them.

Broccoli

A pinch or two of Walcheren may be sown on a warm border, and likewise in a frame, so as to make doubly sure of a plentiful supply.

Cabbages

You may sow several sorts of these, as you cannot well have too many plants. In cases where the early sowings stand too thick, it will be advisable to draw many of them and plant them out wherever you have room for a row; this will enable those left in the seed-beds to grow into strength.

Cabbage, Red

A pinch of seed may be sown towards the end of the month for pickling purposes.

Carrot

For forcing sow a little of the French horn variety in a frame, and also on a warm border, to produce an early crop. It is of no use to put in seed of any other kind just at present.

Cucumbers

Look to the linings and the state of the heat; give air occasionally in the daytime; lay the vines equally over the bed, and nip out the end of the shoots that may be too vigorous and show no fruit.

Garlic

Plant in rows or drills three inches deep and six inches apart, the bulbs about nine inches asunder in the rows. They prefer a rich mellow soil; and where it can be had they should be accommodated.

Herbs

Many kinds of these may be sown on a Warm border, where they can have protection during severe weather; such, tor instance, as borage, curled chervil, coriander, and pot marigold.

Lettuces

Any plants that are fit for the purpose, from hot-beds or frames, after being hardened off, should be planted out at once. Seed may be sown both on a warm border and in frames, for succession.

Melons

As the directions given for cucumbers equally apply to these, there will be no necessity to repeat the advice.

Mushrooms

Beds may be made by placing a sloping heap of horse-droppings against a wall, and covering it while warm; then put lumps of spawn, nine inches apart, all over it, and two inches of good light loam, well patted with the back of the spade; cover the whole with straw to keep off wet and cold, but in a shed will do better than in the open air.

Mustard

As this is in great request for salads, etc, you should never permit the supply to run short, particularly as it is one of those things which can be grown all the year round - on a shady border throughout the summer and autumn, and in a frame during winter and spring.

Parsley

A liberal sowing may be made towards the end of the month in a deeply-dug and well-manured border, as the time is coming round when it will be in great demand.

Peas

Take great care of any of the early sown that promise well, by putting sticks to them at once; this precaution will have the effect of protecting them in severe weather, and preventing them from being broken by rough winds. Seed of successional sorts may be sown liberally during the present month.

Potatoes

Planting may be carried out in earnest now, and any above ground should have earth drawn to their stems. Early planting is advisable, because it insures early ripening, and thus enables the crop to be harvested before disease has a chance of attacking the roots.

Rhubarb

These roots may be taken up, divided, and planted again in rich, moist soil. Each separate piece should have at least one good eye; and the plantation, remember, must not be pulled from the year that it is laid down. By observing this rule you will insure sticks the following season, of good size and fine flavour also.

Savoys

In order to insure large and solid hearts, they must have a long season of growth, consequently it is necessary to sow as early as the weather will permit, on a bed of rich, mellow soil, and to prick out the plants before they have an opportunity of crowding each other, on another bed of a similar description, in rows one foot apart and six inches asunder in the rows.

Sea-Kale

This may be covered for forcing with pots or boxes, and surrounded with fermenting leaves or hot stable dung.

Shallots

These should be planted at once on well-manured ground, in rows one foot apart, and half the distance from each other in the rows. There is no necessity to bury the bulbs; if they are merely pressed into the soil sufficiently deep to hold them it will do.

Spinach

Get in a good supply of the round or summer variety; and thin out any sufficiently forward by pulling every other plant that is large enough for cooking.

Turnips

Sow on a warm border any of the small kinds in small quantities; it is rather too early for sowing large quantities in exposed situations.

Warm Border

If you have a sheltered spot of this description, either natural or artificial, you may. sow upon it a pinch of choice cabbage, early horn carrot, lettuce of sorts, long radish, and silver-skin onion, all of which will be ready for use as early, very nearly, as if reared in a cold frame.

Words Of Advice

The chief business of this month consists in liberally manuring, thoroughly digging, and carefully cleaning every foot of spare ground. Weeds, too, must be got rid of with all speed, more especially groundsel, which is on the eve of blooming, and if permitted to seed will entail no end of work in a very short time. Make it a rule to have in readiness sufficient litter, mats, branches, etc, for protecting early-sown crops; so that when severe weather does set in, it will not take you by surprise; remember, "A vigilant sentry is ever on the watch," and this is what we ought to be able to say of a gardener.