Soil
Well-drained soil of average fertility.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
Moderate. Young seedlings tolerate frost easily, but mature plants are damaged by freezing weather.
Feeding
Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In early summer, drench plants with a liquid fertilizer to prolong bloom time.
Companions
Beans. Sweet peas need a fence or other support, and you need easy access to cut blossoms for bouquets, so it is best not to crowd them with other plants. Small mound-forming annuals like sweet alyssum can be grown at the base of tall sweet peas.
Spacing
Single Plants: 7″ (20cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 7″ (20cm) with 7″ (20cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Before planting sweet pea seeds, nick the outer seed coat with nail clippers to help speed germination. Plant sweet peas in the fall in mild winter climates, or first thing in spring in other areas.
Notes
Sweet peas are a beautiful way to cover a chain link fence. Some varieties are much more fragrant than others. Colors include pink, white, red, purple, burgundy and many bicolors.
Harvesting
Clip stems for indoor arrangements when half the flowers are open. Snipping off old flowers will help prolong bloom time.
Troubleshooting
Pea aphids are common sweet pea pests that may require control with insecticidal soap.
