Damon Mcknight
Sweet peas are fragrant flowering annuals with beautiful pea flowers that come in a wide range of colours. They are relatively easy to grow and like cool weather, fertile soil, all-day sunshine, excellent drainage, and weekly feeding. The best time to plant sweet pea seeds depends on the climate. In most climates, the ideal time is between March and April, while in cold climates, it is recommended to plant the seeds in September. Sweet peas can be sown directly into the ground or in seed trays or pots filled with seed-raising mix. They require a sunny position and well-drained soil, and regular feeding with a fertiliser to promote flowering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Planting time | Between March and April in most climates. In cold climates, plant seeds in September. |
| Seedling planting time | Between March and September. |
| Harvest time | Spring (September to November) in most climates. In cool climates, harvest in late spring to early summer (November to December). |
| Soil type | Sweet peas will grow in any soil but perform best in rich and friable loam. |
| Soil pH | Neutral soil with a pH of around 6.5. |
| Soil preparation | Add ample organic matter to heavy clay or structure-less sandy soil. Add hydrated lime if the pH is under 7. |
| Soil moisture | Sweet peas like access to some soil moisture in warmer weather. |
| Sunlight | Full sun position. |
| Drainage | Good drainage. |
| Fertiliser | Feed regularly with a liquid fertiliser to promote continuous flowering. |
| Spacing | Space plants 20-30cm apart. |
| Support | Climbing varieties need a tepee, trellis, or other support to grow up. |
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What You'll Learn
Sweet peas are typically grown in autumn and spring in Australia
Sweet peas are fragrant flowering annuals with beautiful pea flowers that come in a wide range of colours. They are typically grown in autumn and spring in Australia, depending on the region. In southern Australia, sweet peas are sown in autumn, grow and flower through the winter, and are picked in spring. In temperate and warmer climates, seedlings are planted in late winter or early spring, once the risk of frost has passed.
The traditional date to sow sweet pea seeds in Australia is St Patrick's Day (March 17), except in the coldest climates. In cold climates, it is recommended to delay sowing until early spring, or even September. In coastal subtropical climates, adhering to this tradition can be a bit hit and miss. Here, flexibility in the sowing timetable is important.
Sweet peas grow well in full sun, in well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral pH of around 6.5. They prefer cool weather and need weekly feeding. Before sowing, it is recommended to improve the soil with compost and soil improver to help retain moisture. When the seedlings are around 7.5-10cm high, pinch out the growing tips to encourage sideshoots and more flowers.
Sweet peas are usually grown up trellises, wigwams, or tripods for support. They can be left to scramble naturally or carefully trained and tied. They are easy to grow from seed, but some varieties have a hard seed coat, which may require nicking or abrading before sowing.
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They grow best in sunny, open spots with well-drained soil
Sweet peas grow best in sunny, open spots with well-drained soil. They require full sun and should be positioned in a wind-protected spot. In terms of soil, sweet peas will grow in any soil but will perform best in a rich and friable loam. To prepare the soil, add compost and soil improver to help hold moisture. An ideal pH level for sweet peas is around 6.5. If your soil is too acidic (below pH 7), add some hydrated lime before sowing.
In addition to sunlight and well-drained soil, sweet peas also require regular feeding and watering. It is recommended to feed the plants every 1–2 weeks with a soluble fertiliser and to water them thoroughly, especially during dry spells.
When planting sweet pea seeds, it is important to follow the sowing instructions on the packet for depth and spacing. For climbing varieties, sow the seeds at the base of a support structure, such as a trellis, tepee, or tripod. The seeds should be planted around 20 centimetres apart and 2 centimetres deep to encourage lateral branching and quality cut flowers.
Sweet peas thrive in cooler weather, so it is important to time your planting accordingly. In temperate and warmer climates, plant the seedlings in late winter or early spring, after the risk of frost has passed. St Patrick's Day, March 17, is traditionally considered a good date to sow sweet pea seeds in most areas, except the coldest climates.
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Sweet peas can be grown in pots and containers
When growing sweet peas in a pot or container, it is important to use a good-quality potting mix. Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter is a good option, and it is important to water it well to moisten the mix. For climbing sweet peas, you can place the pot next to a wire trellis attached to a wall or fence. You can also insert a wire pyramid or tepee firmly into the potting mix. If you are using a seed-raising mix, check the sowing instructions on the back label of your packet of sweet pea seeds for depth and spacing information.
If you are growing sweet peas in a pot or container, it is important to feed them regularly. Once the seedlings are established (around 4 weeks after sowing), start feeding the plants every 1–2 weeks with Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser. Mix 1–2 spoonfuls in a 9-litre watering can and apply it around the base of the plants. Sweet peas are legumes, so they will produce some of their own nitrogen, but they require other nutrients, including potassium, which promotes flowering.
In warmer regions where winter weather is mild, sow sweet peas in autumn. Everywhere else, sow in late winter/early spring. Soak your seeds for 24 hours before sowing to soften the seed coat and speed up the sprouting process. Cover pots with a plastic dome lid to increase humidity and speed up germination. Place in a cool greenhouse or in a bright window in the house. Once the plants are 4 to 6 inches tall, pinch out the central growing tip just above a leaf joint, leaving 2 or 3 leaf nodes.
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They require regular feeding and watering at the base
Sweet peas are heavy feeders and require regular feeding and watering at the base. They thrive in cool, moist environments and generally do best in the spring and early summer. When the heat of summer arrives, they tend to go to seed and die off. Therefore, it is important to keep their thirst quenched during warm weather. Set up drip irrigation or soaker hoses as soon as you plant them, and water deeply 2 to 3 times a week.
Before sowing, prepare the soil with compost and soil improver to help retain moisture. Sweet peas can be sown indoors in trays for transplanting or directly sown into the ground. If you are direct sowing, make sure the soil stays evenly moist the entire time you are waiting for the seeds to germinate. Water thoroughly after sowing the seeds and cover the area with a thick layer of straw to keep the soil moist and cool.
Sweet peas are legumes, so they produce some of their own nitrogen. However, they require other nutrients, including potassium, which promotes flowering. A high-potash fertiliser such as tomato food is recommended when flower buds appear. Yates Thrive Flower & Fruit Soluble Fertiliser is another option, rich in flower-promoting potassium. Mix 1-2 spoonfuls in a 9-litre watering can and apply around the base of the plants.
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Sweet peas are usually harvested in spring
The sweet pea, or Lathyrus odoratus, is a fragrant flowering plant that produces masses of flowers from mid-spring through to early summer, as long as they are picked regularly. They are typically sown in autumn and spring, depending on where you are in Australia. In southern Australia, sweet peas are sown in autumn, grow and flower through winter, and are then picked in spring.
Sweet peas are relatively easy to grow and like cool weather, fertile soil, all-day sunshine, excellent drainage, and weekly feeding. They are typically planted in March, specifically on St. Patrick's Day (March 17), in all but the coldest of climates. In cold areas, sweet pea seeds are sown in early spring, and seedlings are planted between March and September.
Sweet peas can be grown in pots and containers, and they will grow up trellises, tepees, or other supports. They grow well in any soil but perform best in rich and friable loam. They prefer a neutral soil pH of around 6.5 and full sun once soil temperatures reach 12-18 degrees Celsius.
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Frequently asked questions
Sweet pea seeds are typically sown in Australia in autumn or spring, depending on the region's climate. In most climates, the ideal period is between March and April, while in cold climates, it is recommended to plant them in September.
St. Patrick's Day, which is on March 17, is traditionally considered the ideal date to sow sweet pea seeds in most parts of Australia, except for the coldest regions.
Sweet peas can grow in various soil types but prefer a rich and friable loam with a neutral pH of around 6.5. They thrive in sunny, open spaces with good drainage. Before sowing, improve the soil with compost and ensure it has sufficient moisture.
Yes, it is important to provide regular feeding once the seedlings are established (around four weeks after sowing). Apply a liquid fertiliser every one to two weeks to promote flowering. Additionally, pinch out the growing tips when the plants are 7.5-10 cm high to encourage bushier growth and more flowers.
Yes, growing sweet peas in the coastal subtropics, such as in Brisbane, can be challenging due to high humidity and frequent showers, which promote mildew. Flexibility in the sowing timetable is recommended to improve success rates in such regions.
