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How to Grow Sweet Peas: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Introduction
Sweet peas are beautiful, fragrant flowers that are easy to grow and a joy to behold. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to grow stunning sweet peas in your own garden.
Choosing the Right Spot
Sweet peas thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They can also be grown in pots or containers, making them a versatile choice for any garden.
Planting Sweet Peas
- You can start sweet peas from seed in either autumn or spring.
- If starting in autumn, ensure you have a frost-free place to grow them until spring.
- Sow seeds in good quality compost and place in a cold frame or greenhouse.
Caring for Sweet Peas
- Water sweet peas regularly, especially during dry weather.
- Feed with a high potash fertilizer, such as tomato food, when flowers appear.
- Pinch out the tips of young plants to encourage bushy growth.
- Provide support for sweet peas as they grow, such as a trellis or wigwam.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
- Yellowing leaves: Over-watering can cause yellowing leaves. Stop watering immediately and check that the soil is not still moist.
- Leggy plants: Too little light can cause leggy plants. Move them to a brighter spot and pinch out the tips to encourage bushier growth.
- Slug damage: Young sweet pea plants are prone to slug damage. Use beer traps, copper bands, or Nemaslug to deter them.
Harvesting Sweet Peas
- Sweet peas are ready to harvest when the flowers are fully open.
- Cut the stems just above a leaf joint.
- Regular picking will encourage more flowers to bloom.
Saving Sweet Pea Seeds
- Seed can be collected in early September.
- Leave the seed pods on the plants until they turn a paper bag color.
- Collect them on a dry day, remove them from their pods, and store in paper bags in a dry place until you are ready to sow them.
Recommended Sweet Pea Varieties
- Lathyrus vernus ‘Alboroseus’: Hardy perennial with pink and white flowers.
- Lathyrus latifolius ‘White Pearl’: Perennial climber with pure-white flowers.
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Matucana’: Fragrant annual with two-tone purple flowers.
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Lipstick’: Spencer type with good scent and wavy-edged petals.
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Lord Nelson’: Hardy annual with highly scented blue flowers.
- Lathyrus odoratus ‘Painted Lady’: Bi-colored annual with pale and dark pink blooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why are my sweetpeas turning yellow? Over-watering is usually the cause of yellowing sweet pea leaves.
- Help! My sweet peas are leggy! Leggy sweet peas are usually the result of too little light.
- Do sweet peas trail well? Sweet peas are climbing plants and therefore don’t trail well.
Conclusion
Growing sweet peas is a rewarding experience that can add beauty and fragrance to your garden. By following the tips and advice in this guide, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of these charming flowers all season long. So, get started today and experience the joy of growing your own sweet peas!
