The Year’s Work
The following sketch calendar of the actual work shared in by the students month by month may be of service to those who have little practical acquaintance with gardening. No sketch of this kind can show all the details of daily work, and the separation into months is merely for convenience, as in almost every case the work of one month overlaps with that of another. Certain operations, such as hoeing and weeding, extend throughout the greater part of the year; plants under glass require daily attention, and, in addition, there is the specialised culture required by special classes of plants—vines, peaches, tomatoes, etc.—which is not indicated in this calendar:—
January.—In this month there is much important work to be done under glass and in the forcing-houses. Seeds are sown almost daily—flower seeds, such as annual carnations, petunias, antirrhinums, etc.; and vegetables, such as lettuce, leeks, onions, cauliflowers, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc. There are also the gathering and packing of forced flowers and rhubarb, and the forcing of these and other plants. When possible, seed-beds are prepared in the open.
February.—Much of January’s work is continued this month. Seed-sowing goes on, some of it in the open. Plants sown in January have to be potted and pricked out in pans and boxes. Watering, heating, and ventilation in the various glass-houses require great attention. The taking of chrysanthemum cuttings is continued from last month.
March.—This is perhaps the busiest month of the garden year. The preparation of seed-beds and the cleaning of the ground must be completed, as well as the sowing of almost every vegetable that is in the garden, of hardy annual flowers in the open, and of half-hardy annuals in frames. Strawberries are planted, young tomatoes potted on, cucumbers attended to, and more seed sown for late crops. Rooted chrysanthemum cuttings have to be potted on.
April.—Much time this month must be devoted to seedlings to prevent overcrowding and weakening. Cauliflowers are planted out, and vegetable marrows sown in pots for planting out later. More sowings of vegetables and of hardy annuals are made, and half-hardy annuals are hardened-off previous to planting in the open.
May.—In this month sowings are repeated of all vegetables required for succession. Celery plants are pricked out and trenches prepared. Cabbages are planted; out runner beans are sown; weeding and hoeing go on constantly.
June.—The gathering, bunching, and packing of cut flowers form an important part of this month’s work. Celery is put in trenches; mushroom-beds are prepared. Much attention is required by tomatoes and cucumbers.
July.—Flowers for cutting are now more plentiful, and, in addition, the smaller fruits have to be gathered and packed for market. Carnations have to be layered, and strawberry runners pegged down. Broccoli and cabbage are planted out; biennial and perennial flowers may still be sown.
August and September.—These months are the school holidays. The chief work in the garden is the continued gathering and packing of fruit and flowers, and keeping the ground clean.
October.—Bulbs are potted to be forced when well rooted; wallflower is transplanted to its blooming quarters; chrysanthemums are brought in, and celery is earthed up. Vacant plots of ground can be made ready for winter by digging and manuring.
November.—Some bulbs can be planted out in the open; plants ready for forcing are brought in. Cucumbers for an early crop are sown now, and mustard and cress are sown weekly. The glass and brickwork of the houses are thoroughly cleaned. When weather permits, the pruning of fruit-trees and bushes is carried on in this and the other winter months. Chrysanthemums are bunched and packed for market.
December.—Rhubarb is brought in for forcing; vines are pruned, and peach-trees trained.
In bad weather, work is carried on in the glass-houses or the potting-shed, or the time is allowed for study.