Preparing the Spring Garden: A Look at February Chores from 1889

February 9, 1889 

On this day, The Lancaster Gazette shared a little snippet about the garden chores that should be done this week.

Let’s see how our chores stack up against chores from the late 1800s.

Outdoor Work must have a full share of attention.

Whatever... winter work remains must now be cleared up, or the consequences will be serious.

Make quickly a thorough clearance of the vegetable quarters.

Prepare all plots requiring manure at once, as it is much better to have the manure completely incorporated with the soil than to sow or plant immediately after manuring. 

The ground for Peas, Beans, Onions, Cauliflowers, and Broccolis must be liberally manured and deeply stirred. 

Mark out the quarters for Onions into four-foot beds and raise the bed six inches above the general level and leave the surface rough.

At sowing time, the surface will be nicely pulverized through exposure to the air, and the seed can be set clean and rolled in firm...

Choose for Potatoes ground on which Cabbage, or Broccoli, or Celery has been grown... last year. 

Make up sloping borders under warm walls and fences for early Lettuce and Radish.

Prick out Broccoli and Cauliflower from seed. 

Plant.