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Sweet Peas

Growing Guides

How to Grow Sweet Peas: A Beginner’s Guide to Success

by Donna
written by Donna 4 minutes read

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!

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Flower Gardening

The Ultimate Guide to Growing the Best Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers

by Gregory
written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Best Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers

Introduction

Sweet peas are a popular choice for cut flowers because of their delicate fragrance and beautiful blooms. They come in a wide range of colors and varieties, so you can find the perfect ones to match your taste.

Choosing the Best Sweet Peas for Cutting

The best sweet peas for cutting are those with long, straight stems and a strong fragrance. You should also look for varieties that are resistant to disease and pests.

Some of the best varieties for cut flowers include:

  • Matucana: An old variety that is still considered one of the best.
  • Dynasty: A reliable variety with strong pink flowers.
  • White Supreme: A vigorous variety with long stems and a good fragrance.
  • King Edward VII: A highly fragrant heirloom variety with brilliant magenta flowers.
  • Erewhon: A striking cultivar with bicolour flowers and a delicious scent.
  • Mollie Rilstone: A pretty picotee variety with white flowers blushed with pink.
  • Just Julia: An excellent mid-blue variety with a strong scent.

Tips for Growing Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers

To grow the best sweet peas for cut flowers, follow these tips:

  • Train your sweet peas with the cordon method: This method will help to produce long, straight stems.
  • Pick your sweet peas regularly: This will encourage them to produce more flowers.
  • Cut your sweet peas in the morning or early evening: This is when the plants are least likely to be stressed and dehydrated.
  • Cut the stems as long as you can: This will give you more flowers to enjoy.
  • Plunge the stems into cold water immediately: This will help to prevent them from wilting.

How to Cut Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers

To cut sweet peas for cut flowers, follow these steps:

  1. Cut the stems as long as you can, collecting them in one hand as you work.
  2. When your hand is full, plunge the bunch into a bucket of cold water, placed nearby in the shade.
  3. Continue to pick until you have the desired number of flowers.
  4. Cheat a bit of extra length by cutting short stems right back to the plant, including a few twining tendrils to add to the vase display.

Sweet Pea Cut Flower Care

To keep your sweet peas looking their best, follow these care tips:

  • Change the water in the vase every few days.
  • Keep the vase in a cool, shady spot.
  • Remove any dead or wilted flowers.

With proper care, your sweet peas will last for up to two weeks in a vase.

Conclusion

Sweet peas are a beautiful and fragrant addition to any vase. By following the tips in this article, you can grow and care for your own sweet peas to enjoy for weeks to come.

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Vegetable Gardening

Growing Dwarf Gray Sugar Peas: A Sweet and Easy-to-Grow Treat for Your Garden

by Gregory
written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Dwarf Gray Sugar Peas: A Sweet and Easy-to-Grow Treat

Introduction

Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-grow pea plant? Look no further than Dwarf Gray Sugar peas! These heirloom peas are known for their plump, tender pods and sweet flavor. They’re also heat and cold tolerant, making them a great choice for gardeners in a variety of climates.

Growing Dwarf Gray Sugar Peas

Dwarf Gray Sugar peas are bushy plants that grow to be about 2-3 feet tall. They have lovely purple blossoms and produce small pods that are filled with sweet, delicious peas. These peas can be eaten raw, steamed, or stir-fried. The reddish lavender flowers are also edible and can be used to add a pop of color to salads.

Planting Dwarf Gray Sugar Peas

Dwarf Gray Sugar peas prefer cool weather and can be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. You can also plant a later crop about two months before the last frost. Peas prefer fertile, well-drained soil. Sandy soils work best. Check your soil pH and adjust it to above 6.0 if necessary. Dig in a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure a few days before planting. You can also work in a handful of general-purpose fertilizer.

To plant Dwarf Gray Sugar peas, direct sow the seeds into the prepared garden plot. Space the seeds 2-3 inches apart and cover them with about an inch of soil. Rows should be 16-18 inches apart. The peas will sprout in about a week.

Caring for Dwarf Gray Sugar Peas

Dwarf Gray Sugar peas are easy to care for. They require regular watering, especially when they are blooming. Water the plants early in the day or use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system so they have time to dry before dusk.

Dwarf Gray Sugar peas also benefit from a thin layer of mulch. Mulch helps to keep weeds in check and prevents the soil from becoming too dry.

A trellis is not absolutely necessary for Dwarf Gray Sugar peas, but it will keep the vines from sprawling on the ground and make the peas easier to pick.

Harvesting Dwarf Gray Sugar Peas

Dwarf Gray Sugar peas are ready to harvest about 70 days after planting. Pick the peas every few days, beginning when the pods begin to fill out. Don’t wait until the pods get too fat or they will lose their tenderness. If the peas grow too large for eating whole, you can remove the shells and eat them like regular garden peas.

Tips for Growing Dwarf Gray Sugar Peas

  • Plant Dwarf Gray Sugar peas in well-drained soil.
  • Water the plants regularly, especially when they are blooming.
  • Mulch around the plants to help keep weeds in check and retain moisture.
  • A trellis is not necessary, but it can make the peas easier to pick.
  • Pick the peas every few days when the pods are full but still tender.

Conclusion

Dwarf Gray Sugar peas are a delicious and easy-to-grow addition to any garden. With their sweet flavor and adaptability to a variety of climates, these peas are sure to please even the most discerning palate.

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Pea Growing

Sugar Bon Peas: The Sweetest, Most Versatile Pea for Your Garden

by Donna
written by Donna 4 minutes read

Sugar Bon Peas: A Sweet and Versatile Treat for Your Garden

What are Sugar Bon Peas?

Sugar Bon peas are a type of sugar snap pea that is known for its delicious sweetness, crispness, and juiciness. They are a versatile variety that can be enjoyed fresh, stir-fried, sautéed, roasted, or even canned or frozen to preserve their flavor.

These plants are dwarf, meaning they grow to a compact height of about 24 inches, making them ideal for small spaces and container gardening. Sugar Bon peas are also relatively quick to mature, taking just 56 days from planting to harvest.

Growing Sugar Bon Peas

Growing Sugar Bon peas is easy and can be done by directly sowing seeds into the ground. Make sure to wait until there is no risk of frost before planting. Sow the seeds about one inch deep and thin the seedlings until those left are 4 to 6 inches tall.

Sugar Bon peas need a trellis or other support structure to climb on as they grow. Water the plants regularly, but avoid overwatering. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, but this variety is resistant to many common pea diseases, including downy mildew.

Harvesting Sugar Bon Peas

Sugar Bon peas are ready for harvesting when the pods look mature and are round and bright green. Peas that are past their prime will be duller green and will show some ridges on the pod from the seeds inside.

Benefits of Sugar Bon Peas

In addition to their great taste and versatility, Sugar Bon peas offer several other benefits:

  • Compact and easy to grow: Ideal for small spaces and container gardening.
  • Quick to mature: Ready to harvest in just 56 days.
  • Disease-resistant: Resists many common pea diseases.
  • Versatile: Can be enjoyed fresh, cooked, or preserved.

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  • How to Grow Sugar Bon Peas in Containers:

Sugar Bon peas are a great choice for container gardening due to their compact size. Choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep and wide. Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix and plant the seeds about one inch deep. Water the seeds well and keep the soil moist but not soggy.

  • When to Harvest Sugar Bon Peas:

Sugar Bon peas are ready to harvest when the pods are plump and bright green. The peas should be firm and sweet. Avoid harvesting peas that are past their prime, as they will be less flavorful and may have tough pods.

  • How to Preserve the Sweetness of Sugar Bon Peas:

To preserve the sweetness of Sugar Bon peas, you can freeze them. Blanch the peas by boiling them for 2-3 minutes, then plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain the peas and spread them out on a baking sheet. Freeze the peas for several hours, or until they are solid. Transfer the frozen peas to freezer-safe bags or containers.

  • Sugar Bon Pea Recipes:

Sugar Bon peas are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are a few ideas:

* Stir-fried Sugar Bon Peas with Garlic and Ginger
* Sautéed Sugar Bon Peas with Lemon and Herbs
* Roasted Sugar Bon Peas with Bacon and Onions
* Sugar Bon Pea Salad with Feta and Mint
* Sugar Bon Pea Soup with Ham and Potatoes
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Vegetable Gardening

Autumn Seed Sowing: Get a Head Start on Your Garden

by Donna
written by Donna 2 minutes read

Sowing Radishes and More in Autumn

It’s not too late to sow seeds in October! In fact, autumn is a great time to start growing radishes and other delicious vegetables and flowers.

Why Sow in Autumn?

Sowing seeds in autumn gives your plants a head start on the growing season. When spring arrives, your seedlings will be ready to take off and produce a bountiful harvest.

What to Sow in Autumn

  • Radishes: Radishes are a fast-growing crop that can be harvested in as little as 30 days. They’re perfect for adding a spicy kick to salads and sandwiches.
  • Cauliflowers: Cauliflowers are a cool-weather crop that can be sown in autumn and overwintered as seedlings. They’ll be ready to harvest in early summer.
  • Shallots: Shallots are a type of onion that can be planted in autumn and harvested in late spring or early summer. They’re a great addition to salads, soups, and stews.
  • Greek basil: Greek basil is a variety of basil that can be grown indoors as a houseplant. It’s known for its compact growth habit and mild flavor.
  • Sweet peas: Sweet peas are a beautiful and fragrant flower that can be grown on trellises or fences. They’re a great way to attract pollinators to your garden.

How to Sow Seeds in Autumn

  1. Choose a sunny spot in your garden.
  2. Prepare the soil by tilling it and adding compost or manure.
  3. Sow the seeds according to the directions on the seed packet.
  4. Water the seeds well.
  5. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.

With a little care, your autumn-sown seeds will thrive and produce a delicious and beautiful harvest.

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Gardening

Gardening Q&A: Get Expert Answers to Your Toughest Questions

by Gregory
written by Gregory 2 minutes read

Gardening Q&A with the Experts

Monthly Q&A – October 2022

Got a gardening question? Our experts are here to help! Each month, they answer a selection of your questions.

October Questions

  • How can I get my peat-free compost to hold water better?
  • My raspberry bushes got mixed up when I planted them. Can I prune them without knowing if they’re summer- or fall-fruiting?
  • Should I remove the large figs on my tree that are the right size but not ripening?
  • How can I get rid of fuchsia gall mite?
  • I bought some 9cm potted perennials on sale in the fall. Should I keep them in pots until spring or plant them in the garden now?

Expert Answers

Watch the video to see our experts answer these October questions and more.

Previous Month’s Questions

  • September: How to reuse old compost, use pot feet or saucers, care for a lawn after summer and crow pecking, revive dead wisteria shoots, and treat brown rot on plum trees.
  • August: How to revive dehydrated hydrangeas, what is loam in compost, control black spot on roses naturally, troubleshoot runner bean failures, and fix brassicas with no center.
  • July: Watering schedule for dahlias and sweet peas, treating powdery mildew, taking cuttings from leggy pinks, understanding why vegetable plants have all leaves and no fruit, and managing non-fruiting stems on summer-fruiting raspberries.

Submit Your Question

Got a gardening question? Submit it in our next email newsletter! Please note, you will not receive an individual response.

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Vegetable Gardening

February Gardening: A Comprehensive Guide to Sowing and Growing Success

by Gregory
written by Gregory 3 minutes read

February Gardening: What to Sow and Grow

Spring is in the Air

The long winter wait is finally over! It’s February, and while the frost and rain may still be lingering, you can almost smell the spring in the air. That means it’s time to start sowing seeds again!

Greenhouse Crops and Bedding Plants

For now, it’s safest to focus on greenhouse crops and bedding plants. These plants need a head start to thrive in the coming season.

Tomatoes: A World of Flavors

Tomatoes are a must-have for any garden. With over 10,000 varieties to choose from, you’re sure to find one that suits your taste. Start with a reliable salad tomato like ‘Ailsa Craig’ and then experiment with something unusual, like a juicy beefsteak or a sweet cherry tomato.

Jerusalem Artichokes: Easy and Nutritious

Jerusalem artichokes are incredibly easy to grow. Plant just one or two tubers now, and they’ll quickly multiply into a clump of tall stems topped with cheerful yellow sunflowers in the summer. Dig up the knobbly, nutty tubers in the winter, leaving some behind to resprout next year.

Sweet Peas: A Fragrant Delight

Sweet peas are known for their gorgeous flowers and intoxicating fragrance. Grow them up hazel wigwams for a stunning display or train them up individual supports for long, straight stems perfect for cutting. Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous flowering.

French Marigolds: Beauty and Pest Control

French marigolds are a cheerful addition to any garden. They’re easy to grow from seed and provide a splash of sunshiney color all summer long. Plant them under tomatoes in the greenhouse to deter whitefly, which hates their distinctive smell.

Tips for Success

  • Choose a reliable seed supplier to ensure high-quality seeds.
  • Start seeds indoors in a warm, sunny location.
  • Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
  • Harden off seedlings gradually before transplanting them outdoors.
  • Water plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
  • Fertilize plants according to the package directions.

February Gardening Calendar

To Do:

  • Sow tomatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet peas, and French marigolds indoors.
  • Start hardening off seedlings.
  • Prepare garden beds for transplanting.

Don’t Forget:

  • Check for pests and diseases regularly.
  • Deadhead flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
  • Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
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