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.