Seven Grower’s Secrets:
How to Grow Unusually Beautiful Sweet Peas

#1 How to Know When to Plant
When to plant sweet peas is important to their success. Sweet peas will blossom profusely with superior quality flowers when planted so that they have a long growing time in cooler weather. A general rule is to plant sweet peas six weeks BEFORE the last frost date in your area. In South, Southwest or areas with hot summers – Planting seeds in fall is recommended. In more moderate climates – Sweet peas will give you glorious results if planted October – April. In areas with cold winters and hot summers – Pre-starting plants (see tip #4) is beneficial, allowing sweet peas the longer growing time needed.

#2 How to Know Where to Plant
Sweet peas will flourish if planted in a sunny spot. These climbing annuals will need vertical support. For best results, plant in well-cultivated soil, rich with composted manure.

#3 How to Ensure Good Germination
Use clean, fresh seed. Soak seeds overnight. To hasten germination, any seed not swollen after soaking may be chipped (use a razor blade to chip or break through skin on seed).

#4 How to Get a Jump on the Season with Hardy Plant Starts
Start seedlings in an unheated greenhouse, cold frame or outside in a protected area. Don’t coddle this hardy frost-tolerant annual.

#5 How to Keep Plants Free of Pests and Stimulate Plant Growth
Foliar feeding of plants with a weak manure tea will make foliage distasteful to aphids as well as stimulate plant growth and keep them a healthier green color. Guard against aphids, as they may transmit disease to plants.

#6 How to Prolong Blooming
Flowers will bloom for a couple of months with frequent pickings. The more bouquets you cut, the more the plants will blossom. Remove seedpods.

#7 How to Grow Unusually Long-Stemmed Flowers Throughout the Growing Season
After sweet peas have been blooming for awhile, flower stem length will naturally shorten. To regain longer stem length, add a small amount of bloodmeal to the soil by sprinkling it alongside the plant, cultivate in and water thoroughly.