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sweet pea framework

Hi

 

i have sweet peas to plant this year and wonder what is the best frame to use.

 

the area i am planting is 2m square

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Posts

  • You can use anything tall, really.  I got two willow wigwams from Argos around this time last year for £20, which I think are a bit nicer than canes (although I do use canes for my runner beans).  One thing I wouldn't recommend are those metal spirals, where you pop a cane through the centre, one end goes into the top of the cane, and the other gets anchored into the ground.  I tried these last year (because I got them cheap!), and the sweet peas pulled them off to one side, which looked very untidy (my fault for going on holiday I suppose).  You can get some very obelisks and frames made with anything from willow and canes to different types of metal.  It all depends on your taste and budget, Amazon and Ebay are always a good place to start, and then some of the specialist online nurseries and Garden Centres, and then have a look what your local Garden Centre has to offer - the beauty of a GC is if you see something you like, and have the cash, you get to take it away with you.

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I used canes with those plastic rings that you push the canes into, 7 foot canes pushed well into the soil.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    Whatever you use, remember that you'll need access for cutting the blooms etc. One very useful tip I picked up ages ago, is that if you're going to use wigwams made from bamboos, not to make a complete circle, but leave one cane out so you can reach more easily into the middle. Works with climbing beans too.

    Oh, but I'm sure you know this, initially, at least, the plants will need tying to the supports unless you're using netting or pea sticks.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Yes Fig, I put net around.good idea about leaving a bit free, I didnt do that!

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Bunny ...Bunny ... Posts: 3,471
    I make my own bamboo wigwams from own bamboo bushes and wind twine around , allows them to grow attached but I can pick them easy . I'm going to try some cheap arches this year too to add height in borders .
  • ginagibbsginagibbs Posts: 756

    I grew sweetpeas on wigwams last year, this year I want to try growing them up a metal arch, has anyone else done this successfully?

  • Bunny ...Bunny ... Posts: 3,471

    I havent gina but i am this year, think il use netting up the sides etc.image

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619

    I find htat netting stuff a nightmare to work with, and have used chicken wire. I's surprisingly invisible, and also has the advantage that any remaining vegetation left clinging to it at the end of the season can be burnt off.

  • Bunny ...Bunny ... Posts: 3,471
    Do they cling to the chicken wire ok ?

    What about that plastic holed stuff comes in a roll (great explanation I know image) ?
  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619

    Yes they're fine on the chicken wire, good for clematis as well. If you mean this stuff (or similar) 

     

    image

     you'll see that it looks much more obtrusive than this

    image

     Well, they don't really show the diffence do they! But IMHO, the wire just 'disappears' and doesn't look so...agricultural?

     

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