Growing Sweet Peas from seed:

• Cost-Effective: Growing sweet peas from seed is generally more economical than buying established plants. You can purchase a packet of seeds at a lower cost and end up with numerous healthy plants, potentially saving a significant amount of money

• Variety Selection: When growing from seed, you have access to a wide range of sweet pea varieties, including unique colors, fragrances, and heirloom strains that aren't always available as nursery plants.

• Stronger Plants: Starting plants from seed allows them to grow and adapt to their environment from the beginning, often resulting in stronger and more resilient plants compared to transplants that may undergo stress during transportation and planting.

• Extended Blooming Period: By staggering seed sowing times, you can extend the blooming period of your sweet peas, ensuring a longer season of beautiful flowers in your garden.

Direct Sow:

• Timing: 2-3 weeks before last spring frost

• Seed Depth: 1/8"

• Germination time: 10-14 days

Start Indoors:

• Timing: 8-10 weeks before last spring frost

• Seed Depth: 1/8"

• Germination time: 10-14 days

• Transplant out: On last frost date

Sowing Quick Guide

Plant Specifications

Step-by-Step Instructions - Starting Seeds Indoors

Collect Supplies:

• Seeds

• Seed starting trays or pots

• Seed starting mix (sterile)

• Labels and a marker

• Plastic wrap or a humidity dome

• Spray bottle or watering can with a fine nozzle

• Grow lights or a sunny windowsill

  Timing

  • When to Start: Begin the process about 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.

  Preparation

  • Clean Containers: Sterilize your seed starting trays or pots to prevent disease.

  • Moisten Seed Mix: Slightly moisten your seed starting mix so it's damp but not soggy.

  Planting Seeds

  • Fill Trays: Fill each cell in the seed tray with the moist seed starting mix.

  • Sow Seeds: Place 1-2 seeds in each cell.

  • Label Trays: Label each tray or pot with the variety and the planting date.

  Germination

  • Cover Seeds: Light is needed for germination but add a thin layer of fine vermiculite to prevent algae growth on soil surface.

  • Moisten Surface: Use a spray bottle to mist the top of the soil.

  • Create Humidity: Cover the seed trays with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to maintain moisture.

  • Warmth: Place the trays in a warm location (70-75°F or 21-24°C). A heat mat can help.

  Light and Watering

  • Lighting: Once the seeds germinate (about 7-10 days), remove the cover and place the seedlings under grow lights or in a sunny windowsill. Provide 12-16 hours of light per day.

  • Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water from the bottom if possible to prevent damping-off disease.

  Take Care of Seedlings

  • Thinning: Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to one plant per cell or pot.

  • Hardening Off: About a week before transplanting outdoors, start to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing time periods each day.

  Transplanting Outdoors

  • Timing: Transplant the seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

  • Soil Preparation: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Amend with compost if needed.

  • Planting: Plant seedlings 4-8 inches apart, depending on the variety.

  • Watering: Water thoroughly after planting.