How to Grow Sweet Peas!

Sweet peas blooms are salmon, pink, purple or white.

The romantic sweet pea originated in Italy in the 17th century, but it was not until the 19th century that it became a garden staple when a large-flowered sweet pea was developed. This easy-to-grow climbing annual provides loads of fragrant, richly colored blooms. Sweet peas need cool soil for planting but burst into bloom with the arrival of warm air.

Instructions

1. Sow seeds in the ground from late fall right into early spring in areas with mild winters and hot summers, such as Florida. In areas with mild winters and cool summers, as are found in the Northwest, direct sowing in mid-to-late spring brings late-summer blooms. In areas with cold winters, start seeds inside six to eight weeks before time to set out. Transplant in early spring as soon as weather permits. If you're are direct sowing seeds in cold areas, do so as soon as the soil can be worked.

2. Select an area with full sun to part shade for the sweet peas. Morning sun and afternoon shade is the best. Prepare well-draining soil to a depth of at least a foot and then add plenty of compost or manure. Sweet peas are particularly fond of fish emulsion. For early blooms, choose White Winter Elegance, Pink Diana Winter Elegance or Burgundy Winter Elegance. Mid-season sweet peas include Countess Cadogan, Queen Alexandra and Janet Scott. For late season blooms, choose Restormel, Anniversary or Cupanil's Original.

3. Soak seeds indoors overnight or nick the shell of the seed with nail clippers to speed up germination in the coldest regions. Plant seeds in potting soil in small pots or flats. Transplant in six to eight weeks or once winter lets up. To sow seeds directly into the soil in warmer climates or later in the spring in cooler regions, plant the seeds one inch deep and two to three inches apart. Keep the soil evenly moist, never allowing it to dry out

4. Stake the sweet pea vines; they will reach 6 feet tall. Almost any vertical support works or weave branches from just-pruned trees and shrubs into a trellis.

Tips & Warnings

• Full sun to partial shade

• Keep soil evenly moist, never allowing it to dry out

• Rich and well-draining soil

• Fertilize throughout growing season

• Beware of mildew! Proper spacing!!!

References

• Northern Gardening: Sweet Pea Fact Sheet
• Select Seeds: Growing Sweet Peas