Planting Sweet Peas

photo source: floretflowers.com

Imagine armloads of sweet peas in a palette of watercolors and the intoxicating fragrance filling the room. Mmmmmm, I'm totally wanting to be there in that sweet world. So much so that I was out last night in the dark, prepping the bed and tucking seeds into the earth. 

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Here's how to grow your own sweet peas:

 Seeds can be started indoors but they are easy to sow directly in the garden.
They have a hard seed coat, so a soak in water for 8-10 hours before planting will speed up germination. Or nick the seed coat with a nail clippers. 
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While they are soaking, head outside to prepare the site. 
Choose a sunny spot (a little afternoon  shade wouldn't hurt).  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.  Turn all the amendments under and mix well into the soil. 
Plan to fertilize the hungry sweet peas weekly, or at least twice a month with fish emulsion or compost tea. 

Sweet peas are climbers and will need a sturdy trellis to climb.
​Use garden netting or chicken wire between posts. Or try this fun, natural method:

source: Wise Garden Encyclopedia

Plant seeds/seedlings in two rows, one on each side of the trellis, 6-8" apart, 1 " deep. 
Then watch them grow! 
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Remember, the more you pick, the more you get!
Prolong blooming by deadheading. Better yet, pick these sweet-smelling beauties to enjoy in a vase. 
TIP: for the longest vase-life, pick when there are at least two unopened flowers at the tip of the stem. 

- Happy planting!
Tracy Hankwitz,
Horticulturist & BGC Store Manager