Sweet Peas

[pigletwillie]

Can I toss outside now the sweetpeas that are in my unheated workshop as I require the space if possible for other more tender flowers.

Alternatively can they be planted out now?

[STEVE PARTRIDGE]

Hi Pigletwillie, if they have been hardened off well then it will be fine for you to plant them outside now, I planted mine a couple of weeks ago now, they are just starting to grow away, ok Steve.

http://www.myallotments.blogspot.com

[Geoff]

If you are going to grow them in a row with angled canes or other sticks you could try my method. I make the structure in the usual way with post at each end and a straining wire to tie the canes into then run a piece of binder twine round about 3' off the ground. I plant and tie in the Sweet Peas then wrap the bottom 3' with fleece securing it to the binder twine with clothes pegs then put a few extra canes outside the fleece to stop it blowing up. Secures it really well if you tie them to a main cane just above the fleece. Gets them off to a flying start. I leave it round until I am ready to use the same method later for the Runner Beans.

[STEVE PARTRIDGE]

Thanks for the advice Geoff, is that to protect them from the cold wind which I know they don't like? or incase we have any hard late frosts or both?, thanks Steve.

http://www.myallotments.blogspot.com

[pigletwillie]

Thanks for the reply.

[Geoff]

Hardened off Sweet Peas are pretty tough - I've known them survive snow - so I think the wind protection is the main benefit.

[bigpepperplant]

Hi, I've got some sweetpeas in the frost-free polytunnel that I sowed a month or so ago - they're doing fine - about 3 inches tall now. Can I plant them out yet? Mild weather in kent forecast for a week or so and then a spate of frosty nights...

[Geoff]

Sweet Peas planted



and fleeced (revealing the Masterpiece Green Longpod alongside)




explains the method I described I hope.

[Jude]

I took a chance and put mine out a couple of weeks ago with fleece fixed firmly, but the cold wind still got to them and they look a bit yellowish and unhappy. However, the new growth looks reasonably healthy, will they be OK or will the check be fatal?
I have got some spring-sown 'spares' but I'm reluctant to take the others out until I'm sure.