I have heard several comments about the germination of sweet peas recently and it may be worth setting out a few guidelines to get the best from these.

If you haven’t sown in the autumn or if you did but experienced difficulties with germination, you can still sow seeds now and up to the middle of March in pots or boxes. It appears the most appropriate time is during the first or second week of February. Choose relatively deep pots or boxes, at this time soak the seed in some warm water for a couple of hours prior to sowing, this just softens the seed coat. Fil the containers to within an inch of the top using a good quality seed compost, sow the seed and cover with approximately three quarters of an inch of compost. Water well and place in a cool spot ideally in a greenhouse or on a shaded windowsill.

Germination should occur within 3 weeks depending on the temperature. As soon as the seed has germinated the plants should be placed in a cool, light position such as a garden frame and given as much air as possible during the day. Little watering should be necessary and then only when the plants show signs of flagging.

Planting out can occur from middle of March providing the plants have been grown hard as described above.

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