How to Grow Cordon Sweet Peas
Sweet pea is the common name for Lathyrus odoratus. Sweet peas are an old-fashioned variety of flower that produce blossoms on runners that form over the ground or climb upon vertical supports, such as fences and trellises. Some sweet pea growers use the cordon method of training these vines to promote the production of quality blossoms with optimal size, shape and color. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Compost
- Peat moss
- 6-feet long garden stakes
- Lattice
- Wire
- Pruning shears
- String
Instructions
-
-
1
Prepare a planting site in a level area of the landscape that provides full exposure to the sun. Amend heavy or sandy soils with equal amounts of compost and peat moss, creating a loose, well-drained medium for the sweet pea seeds.
-
2
Dig a shallow trench for the sweet pea seeds after the soil begins to warm in the springtime. Make the trench about 1/2 inch deep.
-
-
3
Drive 6-foot long garden stakes into the soil at both ends of the row and every 8 feet, depending on the length of your rows. Attach 4-foot-by-8-foot sections of lattice to the stakes to provide a trellis for the sweet peas. Use wire to hold the lattice in place.
-
4
Plant the sweet peas in the trench, placing them 4 to 5 inches apart in the row. Cover the peas and water them to provide even moisture throughout the trench. Keep the soil slightly moist while the sweet peas begin to grow. Thin the seedlings when they reach about 3 inches tall, leaving only one seedling every 8 to 10 inches.
-
5
Prune the sweet pea seedlings after they reach about 12 inches tall. Snip out all but the strongest shoot on each plant. Loosely tie the single shoot to the lattice with a piece of soft string. Pinch off the small tendrils that form along the stems.
-
6
Check your sweet pea plants every day or two, pruning the side shoots as they appear. Snip the blossoms before they have a chance to form seeds.
-
7
Layer the sweet peas during the middle of summer. Layering is an important factor in cordon growing. Untie the strings that hold the stems. Place the loosened stems along the surface of the soil near the bottom of the trellis. Allow the stem tips to begin growing up the trellis, continuing to prune off side shoots and tendrils. Tie the climbing stem to the trellis to hold it loosely in place. This layering method encourages new roots to form along the ground, encouraging stronger growth.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Soak sweet pea seeds overnight to encourage germination.
Use a light touch when training and layering the sweet pea vines. These plants are fragile and can snap easily.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Dynamic Graphics/Polka Dot/Getty Images
