SWEET PEAS CUPID PINK AND MIDNIGHT BLUES

If I didn't grow at least a few sweet peas (lathyrus odoratus) in my garden each summer, I'd feel that I was missing out.  I never quite seem to have the success that they do at, say, the Royal Horticultural Society, but I keep on trying.  I think it's maybe my soil isn't rich enough or something but anyway they'll just have to cope with what they get the same as the rest of my plants.  I like to cut them and bring them indoors and, bless them, the more I cut the flowers off, the more they keep on coming.  Cutting off fresh flowers for the home, or cutting off dead flowers before they make seed is important if you want a prolonged season of flowers. This year, instead of buying little plants that have been started off already, I've bought seeds: Sarah Raven's varieties caught my eye and I bought Midnight Blues and Cupid Pink.

 

They're quite expensive at £2.90 each packet but there were 25 seeds in each so it still works out cheaper than buying them already started in pots, and I get a lot more (or I will if they grow).  I'm growing them eight to a large pot in my home right now - it's like Kew Gardens in here! 



The label for Midnight Blues says:



These are hardy annuals, height 1.8m (6ft) with a spread of 45cm (18in), they flower between May and September, depending on sowing times.  Sarah Raven adds that they are "a wonderful mix of deliciously scented sweet peas in blues, mauves, and purples with good strong straight stems.  Plant these in your veg garden to attract lots of pollinators and naturally increase your harvest".



For indoor sowing, sow in January to March; or October.  Sow in 7.5cm (3in) pots of seed compost, ideally in root trainers.  Sow singly, cover with 1.5cm (1/2 in) of compost.  Firm gently and keep moist.  Cover with glass, polythene or propagator lid.  Keep at approximately 15C (60F).  Remove cover when seedlings appear.  Stand outside for a few days before planting out from early April onwards, 15cm (6in) apart against teepees.  Keep moist and weed free. 



For outdoor sowing, Sow April to May in a prepared seed bed,  in flowering position.  Sow thinly in rows 45cm (18in) apart or in teepees , 15cm (6in) apart.  Cover lightly with 1.5cm (1/2 in) of fine soil.  Firm gently and keep moist.  When large enough thin to 15cm (6in) apart.  Keep moist and weed free.  Train up supports as required. 



The label for Cupid Pink says:



These are hardy annuals, height and spread 30cm (12in), they flower between May and October, depending on sowing times.  Sarah Raven adds that they are "the most brilliant new invention - a sweet pea bred to be compact, ideal for growing in pots.  It won't need a frame for support but will tumble happily from wherever you plant it.  Place this to scent a sunny corner and attract in the bees and butterflies".



For indoor sowing, sow in January to March; or September to October.  Sow in 7.5cm (3in) pots of seed compost, ideally in root trainers.  Sow singly, cover with 1.5cm (1/2 in) of compost.  Firm gently and keep moist.  Cover with glass, polythene or propagator lid.  Keep at approximately 15C (60F).  Remove cover when seedlings appear.  Stand outside for a few days late May before transplanting 30cm (12in) apart.  Keep moist and weed free. 





For outdoor sowing, Sow April to May in a prepared seed bed,  in flowering position.  Sow thinly in rows 45cm (18in) apart.  Cover lightly with 1.5cm (1/2 in) of fine soil.  Firm gently and keep moist.  When large enough thin to 30cm (12in) apart.  Keep moist and weed free.



I found this informative Thompson and Morgan video on sowing sweet peas.