GARDEN IDEAS
Growing Sweet Peas
Growing sweet pea plants in your garden isn't a specialist project. Anyone can do it, given the right conditions and a little TLC!
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There are hundreds, if not thousands, of varieties of sweet pea and they come in so many beautiful colours and 'designs', there really is something for everyone!
Thompson and Morgan have pages of seeds available....
*Selected for outstanding fragrance, exhibition standard blooms and superb growing performance
*Superb for cutting and the more blooms you cut, the more they will flower
*Perfect for growing against a sunny fence or trained on a free standing obelisk
How to grow your sweet pea plants:
Sweet peas are an annual and should be planted every year. However, given the right conditions, they will seed themselves, and can quickly become an overwhelming presence in your flower garden!
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They smell wonderful and before you plant you could consider positioning them in a place where their scent will be most appreciated. Let them climb over a garden seating area or a place where you regularly pass by and can enjoy the glorious scents and colours. Make sure the plants will be accessible so you can feed and care for them later on.
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Choose a sunny position and a fairly rich well-drained soil. Soak the seed for a couple of hours before planting to help speed up the germination process.
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In Spring, as soon as the soil has warmed up, sow the seed about one and a half inches (about 4cm) deep and about 4-6 inches (10-15cm) apart then water well.
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*Watch out for mice at this stage*
Seed can be planted earlier in the year in pots and kept inside until ready to plant out in the spring. Check on the seed packet for advice with your particular variety.
Many varieties are climbing vine types and should have access to a support system: perhaps a trellis or a line of canes. The plants can grow as tall as 8 or 9 feet (up to 3m).
Some sweet pea plant varieties are bushy and will grow without any support systems. Check on your seed packet before sowing so you know what you need to do to get the most out of your sweet pea plants.
Sweet pea plants - The next step:
When your seed is sown, keep the soil moist and weed-free. The seedlings should be thinned to about 6 - 12 inches (15-30cm) apart if necessary.
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Once the support system is in place and the seedlings are growing, all you need to do is watch out for slugs and birds, water your plants and keep them weed-free. Try mulching when the soil is fairly warm and damp. This helps keep the weeds down and the soil moist during dry periods.
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Make sure the seedlings are grabbing hold of your support canes or trellis. If not, gently coil the plants round the canes or tie gently with a natural twine. In windy spots, you may need to continue to tie to the supports as the plants grow to prevent them from breaking in the wind.
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Sweet pea plants - Caring for your blooms:
When the flowers begin to fade and die, it's best to 'dead-head' them - pinch out the blooms that are dying, or trim with a sharp pair of secateurs. The plant will go on to produce more flowers and you will probably stretch out the flowering season much longer than if you leave your sweet pea plants to their own devices!
They are quite heavy feeders and will benefit from an organic fertilizer feed every two-four weeks if you can manage it.
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Sweet pea plants are colourful and often highly scented. Two good reasons to enjoy them everywhere. Cut a few blooms to decorate the Sunday lunch table or enjoy the colour in the kitchen - cut flowers around the home create a wonderful outdoor feeling indoors!
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NB: Some varieties can be planted in the autumn and 'over-wintered' to produce very early blooms - double check on your variety before you buy!
And you can buy ready grown plants. This one is at Thompson & Morgan (UK)