Sweet peas are a 300 - year - onetime custom from Sicily . These mount pea family plants get large blooming that transude fragrance of jasmine and Aquilegia canadensis . Cultivars come in every color under the sunshine from smart canary scandalmongering to deep shapes of crimson and violet . imbed them from come for the best resultant role , although starts transplanted with care can also be successful .
Fall Plantings
In USDA hardiness zona 8,9 , and 10 , sweet pea plant seeds can be sown in the fall for other springtime sprouting . These orbit have mild winters that let the seed to reliably sprout in the early spring .
To do this work your planting bed in the fall . sum compost , remove weeds , and moisten the dirt . Scatter sweet pea plant ejaculate across the seam , or plant them at some 1 - in spacing . If the bed back up to a trellis for reinforcement , plant in one or two rows along the trellised bound .
covering fire seed with 2 inches of filth and then mulch them through the winter . chink them in the spring . If the mulch has give way down enough , they will be capable to sprout through it . Otherwise , you ’ll have to scan back the mulch so they have a chance to establish themselves .
Direct Sow in Spring
Traditionally sweet peas are sow in direct in the ground from seeded player in the early spring . Do not wait until the last frost has passed , plant 4 weeks before the last frost in your region . imbed sweet peas too late will result in shorter plants and fewer flowers .
As shortly as the soil can be worked , prepare your planting area by removing mulch , weeds and loosen the dirt . Plant seed at 1 - inch spacings and cover with 2 inches of garden dirt or finished compost . Keep the ground moist .
Some optional tips for sweet pea planting :
Starting Plants indoors
In peculiarly cold climates it may be necessary to begin gratifying peas indoors . Gardeners in all area can get a headstart on the season by doing this . Sow seeds indoors or in a greenhouse 6 - 8 weeks before the last Robert Frost in the region .
educate 4 - in garden Mary Jane or planting trays with a depth of at least 4 inch . Peas tend not to transplant well , debar them becoming rootbound in a pot by using large enough containers . fill up with an all - purpose potting land , if you would like to you may mix some compost into it . Avoid atomic number 7 heavy dirt mixes or fertilizers , peas do not want atomic number 7 and can suffer if over - fertilized .
flora seed 1 column inch deep and 3 column inch apart . Keep the dirt moist and quick , idealistic sprouting temperature is around 65 ° F ( 18 ° C ) .
