Damon Mcknight
Sweet peas are a fragrant flowering annual climbing plant with beautiful flowers that come in a wide range of colours. They are easy to grow and like cool weather, fertile soil, all-day sunshine, good drainage, and weekly feeding. They are usually sown in autumn and spring and grow anywhere from 60 cm to 2.5 m, depending on the variety. They grow well in pots and containers, and their seeds can be sown directly into the ground or in trays for transplanting. They require a neutral soil pH of around 6.5 and regular feeding with a fertiliser to promote flowering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plant type | Annual flowering climbing plant |
| Plant height | 60cm to 2.5m |
| Flower colour | White, pink, lilac, blue, purple, magenta, burgundy, or bicoloured |
| Soil type | Rich and friable loam with neutral pH of around 6.5 |
| Soil preparation | Add compost, soil improver, organic matter, and hydrated lime |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Regular, occasional watering prolongs flowering |
| Feeding | Regular feeding with liquid fertiliser every 1-2 weeks |
| Sowing time | Autumn and Spring, traditionally on St Patrick's Day (March 17) |
| Seed preparation | Pre-soak seed in warm water overnight, scarify by rubbing on glass paper |
| Seed spacing | 20cm apart and 2cm deep |
| Seedling care | Protect from snails, pinch out growing tips when 7.5-10cm high |
| Support | Trellis, tepee, wigwams, tripods, or left to scramble |
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What You'll Learn
- Sweet peas need a sunny spot with good drainage and fertile soil
- Prepare the soil with compost and soil improver to retain moisture
- Sow seeds in autumn or spring, directly or in trays for transplanting
- Feed regularly with fertiliser to promote continuous flowering
- Climbing varieties need support, such as a trellis, tepee or netting
Sweet peas need a sunny spot with good drainage and fertile soil
Sweet peas need a sunny, open spot with good drainage and fertile soil to thrive. They prefer a neutral soil pH of around 6.5 in a full sun position. Before sowing, prepare the soil by adding compost and soil improver to help retain moisture.
Sweet peas grow well in a rich and friable loam, but can be adapted to heavy clay or structure-less sandy soil by adding ample organic matter. They do not thrive in acidic soil, so it is advisable to add some hydrated lime to bring the pH level closer to neutral before planting.
When planting, ensure the soil is moist, and space seeds 20 centimetres apart and 2 centimetres deep to encourage lateral branching and quality flowers. For larger blooms, prune off the laterals and plant closer together to encourage a single stem with bigger flowers.
Regular feeding is important for sweet peas, and they will benefit from a liquid fertiliser every 1-2 weeks once the seedlings are established. This will promote continuous flowering and healthier plants.
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Prepare the soil with compost and soil improver to retain moisture
Sweet peas need a sunny position and well-drained soil. Before sowing, prepare the soil with compost and soil improver to help retain moisture. This will give your sweet pea plants a great start.
Sweet peas will grow in any soil but will perform best in rich and friable loam. If you have heavy clay or structureless sandy soil, you can add organic matter to make it more suitable for sweet peas. As with all peas, sweet peas don't like acidic soil, so if your soil has a pH under 7, add some hydrated lime before sowing.
If you're sowing seeds in light sandy soils, it helps to scarify them. This involves rubbing them on a piece of glass paper opposite the testa (the little white bit where the roots emerge) and then soaking the seeds overnight in warm water. This will help them germinate more quickly, especially in light soils. Heavier soils probably don't need this treatment as they usually contain enough moisture.
For climbing varieties of sweet peas, you'll need to provide a support structure such as a trellis, tepee, or wigwam. You can place the pot next to a wire trellis attached to a wall or fence, or insert a wire pyramid or tepee directly into the potting mix.
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Sow seeds in autumn or spring, directly or in trays for transplanting
Sweet peas are usually sown in autumn or spring in Australia, depending on the region's climate. In temperate and warmer climates, it is recommended to plant the seedlings in late winter or early spring, after the risk of frost has passed. In cold climates, it is advisable to delay sowing until early spring or even September for the coldest regions.
Sweet pea seeds can be sown directly into the ground or started in trays for transplanting later. Direct sowing is suitable for spring and summer sowings, provided the seeds are kept moist until germination. For autumn sowing, indoor sowing in trays is recommended to increase the success rate.
When sowing directly, choose a sunny spot in the garden with well-drained soil. Improve the soil by adding compost and soil improver before sowing. Sow the seeds at the recommended depth and spacing, usually around 20 centimetres apart and 2 centimetres deep. Keep the soil moist, especially in the early stages of germination.
For sowing in trays, use seed-raising mix and follow the spacing and depth instructions on the seed packet. Keep the seeds moist, and once the seedlings reach about 7.5-10 centimetres in height, transplant them to their permanent location. Space the seedlings 20-30 centimetres apart and water them thoroughly to help them settle in.
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Feed regularly with fertiliser to promote continuous flowering
Sweet peas require regular feeding with fertiliser to promote continuous flowering. They are legumes, so they produce their own nitrogen, which promotes green leaf and stem growth. However, they require other nutrients, including potassium, which encourages flowering. A liquid fertiliser such as Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser is rich in potassium and can be mixed with water and applied around the base of the plants every one to two weeks.
Sweet peas should be fed regularly throughout the summer to promote flowering. They prefer cool weather, all-day sunshine, and well-drained soil. They should be watered at the base, and the soil should be kept moist to prolong flowering.
When planting sweet pea seeds, it is important to prepare the soil by adding compost and soil improver to help retain moisture. The seeds should be planted in a sunny, open spot, with a neutral pH of around 6.5. If the pH is lower than 7, add hydrated lime to the soil before planting.
Sweet peas can be sown directly into the ground or started indoors in trays before transplanting. They should be planted 20 centimetres apart and two centimetres deep to encourage lateral branching and quality cut flowers. For larger flowers, prune off the laterals and plant closer together.
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Climbing varieties need support, such as a trellis, tepee or netting
Sweet peas are fragrant flowering annuals with beautiful pea flowers that come in a wide range of colours. They can grow anywhere from 60 cm to 2.5 metres, depending on the variety. While some sweet pea varieties are self-supporting, others are climbing varieties that need support to grow.
Climbing varieties of sweet peas need support in the form of a trellis, tepee, or netting. You can build a trellis for your climbing sweet peas, but it doesn't have to be fancy as the sweet peas will cover it when they grow. Place the pot next to a wire trellis attached to a wall or fence. Alternatively, insert a wire pyramid or tepee firmly into the potting mix. Climbing sweet pea seeds should be sown directly at the base of the support.
Sweet peas are usually grown up wigwams or tripods made of bamboo canes, trellising, or post and netting supports. They can be left to grow freely for a natural look, or they can be carefully trained and tied to their support.
Sweet peas are typically sown in autumn and spring, depending on the region of Australia. They prefer cool weather, all-day sunshine, and well-drained soil. They grow well in a sunny, open spot in the garden, and their roots need access to soil moisture in warmer weather.
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Frequently asked questions
Sweet peas are typically sown in Australia in autumn or spring, depending on the region's climate. In most climates, the best time to plant sweet pea seeds is between March and April, while in cold climates, it is recommended to plant them in September.
Sweet peas will grow in any soil but perform best in rich and friable loam with good drainage. They prefer a neutral soil pH of around 6.5 and do not like acidic soil, so it is advisable to add hydrated lime if the pH is below 7.
Sweet peas require regular feeding with a liquid fertiliser to promote flowering. It is recommended to feed them every 1-2 weeks with a soluble fertiliser once the seedlings are established (around 4 weeks after sowing). They also need to be kept moist, especially in warmer weather, to prolong flowering. Additionally, when the plants are about 7.5-10 cm high, pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.
