How to Grow Sweet Peas from Seed

Summary

This video tutorial, sponsored by the-gift-of-food.com, guides viewers through the process of growing sweet peas. It starts with seed preparation, including moistening them overnight to soften their hard coating. The script details steps like sowing seeds in compost-filled trays, nurturing them until germination, and then transplanting them outdoors with proper support structures like a wigwam made from canes. The video emphasizes the importance of sunlight, moisture, and support as the plants grow, culminating in the appearance of fragrant flowers after about 10 weeks. The host invites viewers to their website for more gardening tips.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Start by purchasing sweet pea seeds, which are readily available in garden stores.
• 💧 Moisten the seeds overnight to soften their hard coating by placing them on damp paper towels in a shallow container.
• 🌱 Prepare a seed tray with compost, ensuring to press the compost lightly to remove air pockets.
• 💦 Water the compost before adding seeds to prevent washing them away if watered afterward.
• 🌿 Plant one seed per compartment in the seed tray, covering them with a thin layer of compost and pressing firmly.
• 🌡️ Maintain warmth and moisture for the seeds, and expect germination to begin within about a week.
• ✂️ Pinch out the growing tip of the plants when they reach 10-15 centimeters to encourage branching.
• 🌳 Transplant the sweet peas outside in a sunny location, preferably near a south-facing fence.
• 🕳 Dig holes and fill them with compost, even if the soil is poor, to provide a rich environment for the sweet peas.
• 🌿 Construct a wigwam support using four canes placed in a square pattern to accommodate the sweet peas' growth up to 8 feet tall.
• 💧 Keep the plants well watered and provide additional support with garden twine as they grow taller.

Q & A

What is the first step in growing sweet peas according to the video?

The first step is to buy sweet pea seeds, which are available in most garden stores.

Why is it necessary to moisten the seeds overnight before planting?

Sweet pea seeds have a hard coating that needs to be moistened to soften them up, which aids in germination.

How should you prepare the container for moistening the seeds?

You should find a shallow plastic container, cut a piece of paper towel to fit the bottom, dampen the paper towel with water without submerging the seeds, and cover the tray with cling film.

Why is it important to water the compost before placing the seeds?

Watering the compost before placing the seeds prevents the seeds from being washed away if watered afterward.

How many seeds should you plant per compartment in the seed tray?

You should plant one seed in each compartment of the seed tray.

What is the purpose of pinching out the growing tip of the sweet pea plants?

Pinching out the growing tip encourages new side shoots, resulting in more stems and potentially more flowers.

Where is the best location to plant sweet peas for optimal growth?

Sweet peas should be planted in a location that receives plenty of sunshine, such as a south-facing fence.

How do you provide support for sweet peas as they grow?

You can make a wigwam using 4 canes placed in a square pattern and tied together at the top, or use netting as an alternative method.

What is the significance of planting sweet peas on the inside of the canes?

Planting sweet peas on the inside of the canes ensures that they grow towards and are supported by the structure as they climb.

How often should you water the sweet peas and at what stages do you provide additional support?

Sweet peas should be kept well watered, with a good soaking especially after planting. Additional support is needed when they reach about 30 and 60 centimeters tall, by tying garden twine around the canes.

How long does it typically take for sweet pea flowers to appear after planting the seeds?

It takes about 10 weeks from planting the seeds for the first sweet pea flowers to appear.