Short’s Gardens, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Short’s Gardens n.

[play on short adj.¹ (1) and Short’s Gardens, Covent Garden, London WC1]

a state of (temporary) penury.

1838		R.S. Surtees Jorrocks Jaunts (1874) 200: I’m nearly cleaned out, and shall be in Short’s Gardens before I know where I am.
1843		R.S. Surtees Handley Cross (1854) 163: ‘Wot, you’re i’ Short’s Gardens, are ye?’ [...] ‘Just so,’ nodded the man. ‘Hup the spout’.
1853		R.S. Surtees Mr Sponge’s Sporting Tour 8: I’m deuced hard up, - regularly in Short’s Gardens.