Do sweet peas grow best in sun or shade?
Sweet Peas enjoy full sun in the northern half of the US. In the South, they can benefit from afternoon shade. They like cool roots and cool temperatures so they are planted as early as possible in the spring. A light frost will not harm newly planted seedlings. Part of the pleasure is that preparation of the ground and creating a support for these high maintenance, but hardy creatures that promise to be so rewarding, if you treat them well. Sweet peas are not difficult to grow but will punish you if you neglect them.It is very important to deadhead your sweet peas. Look out for seed pods developing and snip them off regularly.Sweet peas are heavy feeders so it’s important to amend the planting area. Work in compost or well-rotted manure (I used Purple Cow Compost), and a slow-release, natural fertilizer ( Happy Frog’s All purpose is a good one). I also add a light dusting of bonemeal to provide an extra boost of phosphorus.Proper timing and technique is key to sowing sweet pea seeds. Here’s how to do it: The recommended sowing time is early October to mid November. Use deep pots like root trainers, about 12-15cm, so the roots can grow long and deep.
What is the best month to plant sweet peas?
However, October, November, February and March are best, avoiding mid-winter if you can. If you have space and time to nurture your Sweet Peas then sowing early produces strong, earlier-flowering plants but if you have left it until later then it is still worth giving it a go. If you garden in mild winter climates (Zones 8, 9, or 10), plant sweet peas in the late fall (November) so they can develop and bloom in late winter and early spring. To get the best display, dig a trench and fill it with well-rotted manure or compost 6 weeks before you sow the seeds.Proper timing and technique is key to sowing sweet pea seeds. Here’s how to do it: The recommended sowing time is early October to mid November. Use deep pots like root trainers, about 12-15cm, so the roots can grow long and deep.Peas thrive in cool, damp weather, making them an ideal candidate for early spring planting. In mild climates, you can also plant for a fall harvest, but spring plantings generally yield more. Get peas in the ground as soon as possible in early spring, once the soil temperature reaches at least 45 degrees.As a general rule of thumb, you should start your seeds inside about 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost. If you wait until after you have seen your last frost, you may be too late to plant and see a good result from your sweet peas.
How to grow sweet peas for beginners?
Sow sweet pea seeds individually in each cell, pushing the seed around 2cm deep and covering it with compost. Moisten the compost using tap water and place in a propagator or on a warm window sill. Keep propagators at a temperature of around 10-15°C and refrain from watering again until seedlings emerge. Sweet peas need sunshine and support. If you are limited for space then put a few in a pot with an obelisk or a circle of canes to grow up. Sweet peas need to put their roots down deep so make sure the ground can accommodate this. If you are planting in a pot then make sure it is not too shallow.Because Sweet Peas are vining, they need support to grow up and flower. Many types of structures can work such as a trellis, supports with mesh or twine, or fences. They need a structure that is well anchored in the ground to support the weight of the vines.They’re not getting enough light Sweet peas have very specific growing requirements, and one of the most important requirements is to have direct sunlight for at least six hours a day – although they’ll thrive best with eight hours. Essentially, the longer they have in the sun, the more they’ll flower.Snip off tendrils and old leaves. Sweet peas are hungry and thirsty plants and a lot of that demand comes from the large leaves. If you cut off any large leaves that have gone matte and slightly dusty looking, you allow the nutrients and water to get to the new growth and flowers.
What is the secret to growing sweet peas?
Sweet peas need moisture; dry conditions cause bud drop. They also like plenty of nitrogen for growth and potash for flowers. Sweet peas require training up a suitable support and can be grown as cordons. Start feeding with a high potash fertiliser, such as tomato food, when flowers appear. Regular picking will encourage more flowers and prevent plants from setting seed. Water sweet peas growing in pots, and during very dry weather.Use a good quality compost and sow several sweet pea seeds to a pot. Plant them about 1cm deep, cover with compost and water them well. Sweet peas perform best if their roots are forced to grow in a deep, narrow channel so choose a tall pot to give them a strong start.What to feed your sweet peas with? My mother always used dried blood mixed in water. Our garden was on clay and this seemed very successful. I might use tomato fertiliser of Miracle-gro which is a soluble general fertiliser with loads of potash.Sweet peas have big and long root systems with a big and long taproot that grows deep. This is a good thing as far as the plant goes (helps them to establish themselves quickly and readily, even makes the vines pretty drought tolerant) but it can cause some difficulty when you’re starting them from seed.Sweet peas love water! Growing, feeding and harvesting: Apply organic slug pellets or coffee grounds to ward off slugs. You might have to do a nightly inspection until plants take off with strong growth.
How often should I water sweet peas?
We water deeply 2 to 3 times a week. To prolong blooming, it’s important that you keep plants from setting seed, so be sure to harvest and deadhead the flowers frequently. Plants won’t flower so well if they dry out, so check those in the ground every 3-4 days in dry weather, and those in pots daily. Apply enough water to wet the full depth of roots each time you water.
Does sweet pea come back every year in pots?
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) only live for a year, dying after setting seed. But don’t let this put you off as they are super easy to grow from seed. Perennial species such as Lathyrus latifolius come back year after year, but mostly lack fragrance and there are fewer to choose from. There are two distinct ‘types’ of sweet pea: an annual (lathyrus odoratus) that needs sowing from seed each year, and perennial lathyrus (such as lathyrus latifolius) that will keep growing back and appreciates a little maintenance to flourish. Their characteristics can vary, depending on the type you buy.Sweet peas are sun-loving plants and will thrive in a position that receives plenty of sunshine. They may grow in light or dappled shade, but won’t flower as prolifically.