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Growing Sweet Peas

Hi, as promised, this is a thread for those who wish to learn the basic facts for successful sweet pea growing.

Sweet peas are really very easy to grow. You may simply sow the seed in the soil/pots where you intend them to grow in March or April (according to the prevailing weather conditions) and leave them to it, by July you should have flowers.

 

However, to get the best from your seeds you should consider sowing them in the autumn; this will enable you to have stronger, earlier flowering plants and is the preferred option of those who grow for exhibition quality blooms.

Depending where you live, this can be done between now and early November i.e. now in the north and probably another couple of weeks time in the south. I live in the Midlands and usually sow in mid-October, depending on the weather.

 

First of all, try to buy the very best seed you can afford, study the catalogues and be sure to choose the types & colours that suit your needs.

Over the years I’ve grown the seed of most of the top specialist and have reached the conclusion that Eagle Sweet Peas tick all the right boxes for me.

 

Next you’ll need seed compost (not multipurpose). My own preference is for John Innes seed compost; this is loam based compost although non-loam types are suitable, provided it is specifically for sowing seeds.

 

Finally, you’ll need some type of starter pots. These usually come in the form of grow-tubes…anything from cardboard toilet roll middles, to those sold specifically for the purpose.

 

Good luck!

 

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Posts

  • figratfigrat Posts: 1,619
    Nearly ready for the off then! Root trainers going in dishwasher...
  • Miss BecksMiss Becks Posts: 3,468

    Right! My first time, and been waiting for this post David. Thanks. Looking forward to the next steps. image

  • Becks, presuming you have your seeds now (I did promise Jess some) I'll post some sweet pea growing tubes if you wish.

  • Miss BecksMiss Becks Posts: 3,468

    David, I have some seeds that leggi sent me. I only need a few for growing round my post. Wire is in position. I have lots of those square individual module trays, or normal sowing trays. Will they be ok?

  • No,  sorry, Becks. Sweet peas are very deep rooted and consequently need deep pots...remember they'll be in these pots for about 5 months.

    No problem to let you have a few of the proper thing. They fold flat (like a small polythene bag) so post very easily.

  • Miss BecksMiss Becks Posts: 3,468

    Okey Dokey. I'll message you my details. image

  • Insomnia1973 wrote (see)

    Okey Dokey. I'll message you my details. image

    Okey Dokey. image

  • Insomnia1973 wrote (see)

    David, I have some seeds that leggi sent me. I only need a few for growing round my post. Wire is in position.


    Becks, I have concerns about your plans.

    As I have said previously, sweet peas are very deep rooted so consequently need a good depth of soil. Normally ground around a post has been consolidated (probably concreted) to make it secure....so not perhaps ideal.

  • Miss BecksMiss Becks Posts: 3,468

    Morning David!

    Yes, this is the case with my post, so am taking a gamble with my plan. I have cut a hole in one of those Morrisons Buckets, and put it over the post, down to the bottom. If it works, it works, if not, my neighbour has an axle grinder and the post will go! image

    I love an experiment. image

    image

     

  • Morning, Becks.

    Wimmin, eh? image It's called an angle grinder! Good luck anyway, I trench my soil, 50cm deep.

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