3 of 7

Write now Article Tools

Sweet peas or Lathyrus odoratus are cool weather annuals. Depending on your area, the seeds can be sown in the ground in late fall, or early spring. Since hot wind and weather will cause most varieties to wilt and die, starting seeds indoors is a good alternative to have beautiful spring sweet pea blossoms. There are some heirloom varieties that will withstand the heat, like Perfume Pink or Galaxy Mixed.

There are two types of sweet peas; the vine variety or the bush variety. The vine variety is excellent for fences, arbors, mailboxes and garden gates in early spring, growing up to 8 feet, while the bush variety can be used for beds, borders or container gardening.

Starting sweet pea seeds indoors:
*Plan to start seeds indoors in late January or early February or 6 weeks before transplanting outdoors.

*Nick the seeds with nail clippers, nail file, sharp knife or sandpaper on the opposite end of the pointed tip. Nicking will allow water to be absorbed into the seed to allow for growth.

*Soak the nicked seeds in warm water for several hours or overnight.

*Transfer the soaked seeds either directly to your potting trays or cups or you can place the seeds on a paper towel inside a plastic baggie to wait for the seeds to sprout before planting in your potting medium.

*Invest in a good quality potting soil. Fill deep trays or 3-4 inch pots with pre-moistened potting soil. Use a pencil or your finger to make 1/2 or 1 inch deep holes and drop your seeds into the dirt. Cover with soil.Place pots in a warm area indoors with bright indirect light. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.

*When seedlings emerge in 1-2 weeks, thin plants by pinching or cutting. Provide a small climbing instrument such as a twig to keep the vine variety from becoming tangled with other seedlings.

*After your seedlings have developed 3-4 sets of leaves, began the process of acclimating by placing the pots or trays outside a few hours a day gradually increasing the exposure over a week.

*Transplant in a well drained fertile soil in your garden. By using seeding peat cups you can transplant the entire pot into the ground and not disturb any roots. Space the plants 5-6 inches apart. Sweet peas do best in a neutral ph soil of 7.0. Mulch the plants to keep the roots cool and to retain moisture.

*As your sweet peas bloom, the spent flowers will produce seed pods. If your days are still rather cool, you can pinch off these pods or deadhead to encourage more blooms or let the pods continue to form and use them for next year's crop.

*Sweet peas can withstand light frost conditions, but most varieties cannot tolerate the heat of summer and will wither and die.

For more heat tolerant varieties, try bush type, Pink Perfume or Royal Family Mixed, a climbing sweet pea.

Learn more about this author, Madison Briggs.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Starting sweet pea seeds indoors?
We want to hear your view. Write now!