How to grow and care for Sweet Peas

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) a timeless favourite for every garden. They are best known for their beautiful ruffles and intense fragrance that takes you back to childhood in Grandma's garden!

Here's some top growing tips that Grandma would have done!

🌱 1. Choose the Right Variety

There are two main types:

• Climbing sweet peas – Need support, grow tall (up to 6–8 feet).

• Dwarf/bush varieties – More compact, ideal for pots or borders.

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🗓️ 2. When to Sow

You have two options:

• Autumn sowing (best for stronger plants): Sow in October–November. Overwinter in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.

• Spring sowing: Sow in late January–March indoors or in a greenhouse.

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🌾 3. How to Sow Sweet Peas

You’ll need:

• Deep pots, root trainers, or toilet roll tubes (they like deep roots)

• Seed compost

• Sweet pea seeds

Steps:

1. Soak seeds overnight in warm water to speed up germination.

2. Fill pots with seed compost.

3. Sow 1–2 seeds per pot about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.

4. Water gently and label them.

5. Keep in a cool, bright place (ideally 15°C / 59°F).

6. Germination takes 7–14 days.

🌿 4. Grow On & Pinch Out

• Once seedlings are 3–4 inches tall, pinch out the tip (just above the second or third set of leaves). This encourages bushier growth.

🌞 5. Planting Out (Hardening Off)

• Gradually harden off plants over 1–2 weeks before planting out in mid to late spring, once the risk of frost has passed.

Ideal spot:

• Full sun (They don't mind a bit of afternoon shade)

• Rich, well-drained soil

• Sheltered from strong winds

Spacing:

• Climbing types: 6–8 inches apart.

• Dwarf types: 9–12 inches apart.

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🪴 6. Support for Climbing Types

• Use canes, trellis, pea sticks, or a wigwam of bamboo poles.

• Tie in shoots as they grow, or let them twine naturally.

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💧 7. Ongoing Care

• Water regularly, especially in dry weather.

• Mulch to retain moisture.

• Feed with a high potash fertilizer (like tomato feed) once flowering starts.

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✂️ 8. Deadhead and Cut Blooms

• Regularly cut flowers to encourage more blooms.

• Deadhead any that go to seed to prolong flowering (they’ll stop producing if they think they’ve “done their job”).

• Ideally cut flowers every 2-3 days during the growing season

  
  

9. End of Season

• Once flowering finishes and plants die back:

  • Collect seeds if desired.

  • Compost the rest.

  • Clean up supports.

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🌸 Tips for Success

• Rotate spots each year to avoid disease build-up.

• Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers — they’ll encourage leaves, not flowers.

• Companion plant with other cottage garden favourites like cosmos or calendula.

Available at Claire's Cuttings to purchase Sweet pea starts in a range of colours and varieties!

Contact us for more info!