Knowing how to
grow
sweet peas is important for success with these fragrant beauties. Unless you live
in an ideal climate with long cool summers there is not much point in hoping to have
enormous flowers and luxuriant 9 foot plants. But you can have masses of cut flowers for
at least six weeks in spring and early summer, and that is enough compensation for any
trouble they might be.
Sweet peas can be grown, and will flower, if you just put
the seeds in the ground and give them some support. However, the best results are obtained
by preparing the soil in the fall.
Spring sowing must be very early, usually before the
frost is out of the ground and before it is any condition to be worked. Dig the ground in
the fall to the depth of about a foot and if you have some good compost or manure, mix it
with the soil to increase the capacity to hold moisture.
Sweet peas require alkaline
conditions. In regions with acid soil, the easiest procedure is to sprinkle enough lime on
the surface to give a light-powdered appearance. They like moisture – 1" a week,
with one good soaking is best.
Sow outdoors 1-1 ½ " deep and an inch apart. Plant
seeds in a double row with a 6" space between, that way if the weather is too wet and
seeds rot, gaps will not show. They often take 3-4 weeks to germinate.
I prefer sowing indoors in germinating mix in fiber pots 3
weeks before setting outdoors. That way, germination is quick and sure. Soak the seeds
overnight before sowing. Transplant fiber pot and all.
The plants, being vines, require support to flourish and
flower. I use brush or convenient trellis netting. They do best in a sunny spot that
receives some afternoon shade. They need fertilizing every 2 weeks with organic fertilizer
or manure tea, and mulching with grass clippings or other mulch to keep the roots cool.
The flowers should be cut every few days to encourage continuing bloom, a certain delight!
