Guv's Gardens
Photo: vinceconnare, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil
- Fertile, free-draining
- Soil pH
- Neutral to slightly alkaline, about pH 6.0-7.5
- Water
- Water regularly in dry spells
- Hardiness
- Hardy annual; autumn-sown seedlings are overwintered in a cold frame
- Height and spread
- Climbing to 2m; dwarf types 45cm
Guv's tipThe more sweet peas you pick, the longer they flower. Pinch the tips out too, and keep them watered in dry spells.
Through the year
Timings are for the UK as a whole. Northern and exposed gardens often run a couple of weeks later.
When to plant
Sow Oct-Nov or late Jan-Apr. Plant out from April to late May
Flowering
Flowers May/Jun-Sep with regular picking
Pruning
Pinch out tips; pick flowers often to prolong flowering
Making more plants
Seed
Watch out for
Aphids
Look for: Colonies of small green/black insects on shoot tips, sticky honeydew, distorted leaves
What to do: Squash or wash off, encourage ladybirds and other predators; insecticidal soap if severe
Slugs and snails
Look for: Irregular holes in leaves, slime trails, seedlings eaten
What to do: Hand-pick at night, barriers, beer traps, encourage predators; ferric phosphate pellets sparingly
Powdery mildew
Various (Erysiphales)Look for: White powdery coating on leaves
What to do: Water in dry spells, mulch, improve air flow, resistant cultivars
Always read and follow the label on any treatment, and check it is approved for use where you live.
Safety and spread
Pets and people: Seeds are poisonous if eaten (lathyrism), low severity. The ASPCA's 'sweet pea' entry refers to the related L. latifolius, which is toxic to horses and non-toxic to dogs and cats
Weed risk: None known
The Plant Doctor and the Guv's book
Printable pest and disease charts with real photographs, and all 50 UK plants in one book.
