_Flower Garden and Greenhouse._--Window and greenhouse plants require
more water and ventilation. Due attention must be paid to shifting
well-rooted plants into larger pots; and, if space is desired, many
kinds of hardier plants can be safely put out in cold frames. Towards
the end of the month it may be necessary slightly to shade the glass
of the greenhouse. All herbaceous plants and hardy shrubs may be
planted in the garden. The covering of leaves or litter should be
taken off bulbs and tender plants that were covered up for winter, so
that the beds can be lightly forked and raked. Sow tender annual
flower seeds in boxes inside.
_Fruit Garden._--Strawberries that have been covered up with straw or
leaves should be relieved around the plants, leaving the covering
between them. Special care must be exercised that the mulch be not
left on too long; the plants should not become whitened or "drawn."
Raspberries, grape vines, &c., that have been laid down may now be
uncovered and tied up to stakes or trellises, and all new plantations
of these and other fruits may now be made. Fruit trees may be grafted.
_Vegetable Garden._--Asparagus, rhubarb, spinach, &c., should be
uncovered., and the beds hoed or dug lightly. Hardier sorts of
vegetable seeds and plants, such as beets, cabbage, cauliflower,
celery, lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radishes,
spinach, turnip, &c., should all be sown or planted by the middle of
the month if the soil is dry and warm, and in all cases, where
practicable, before the end of the month. It is essential, in sowing
seeds now, that they be well firmed in the soil. Any who expect to get
early cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce or radishes, while planting or
sowing is delayed until the time of sowing tomato and egg plant in
May, are sure to be disappointed of a full crop. Frequent rotation of
crops should be practised in the vegetable garden, in order to head
off insects and diseases; and also to make the best use of the land.
Every three or four years the vegetable garden should be laid out in
some new place; but if this cannot be done, the crops should be
rotated on different parts of the old garden.