This definitely isn’t the first time that I’ve found myself writing about sweet peas. In fact, the process of learning to best grow these beautiful flowers where I live has been quite the journey. Before we start, I should state that this post is about ornamental sweet peas. This kind is toxic. I always clarify this since there can definitely be confusion where I live.
My sweet pea growing journey began last fall, around the end of September. Here in Kentucky (zone 6b/7), sweet peas can be planted in the fall and over wintered for healthy spring blooms. Though growing these plants under cover is the best option, I have successfully overwintered them with nothing more than the help of a light weight frost blanket. As with anything, learning more about cold tolerance in your garden really is a process of trial and error.
Unfortunately, my complete lack of organization has caused me to be unable to find all the different photos that I’ve taken throughout the season. However, the process ultimate began with the construction of the unheated hoop house (which you can find on my youtube channel). Once the tunnel was completed, I soaked the sweet pea seeds in water overnight. Then, the seeds were direct sown into the ground. For sweet peas, it is specifically important to fertilize well and to work the soil deeply.
Beyond germination, the seedlings lived happily in my garden throughout the winter. It’s really difficult for me to plant sweet peas in the spring, as my weather warms up very quickly. I imagine most people with harsher winters and milder summer temperatures may be able to sow in the spring or use the winter sowing method to grow some really lovely flowers. That’s really about it. Thank you so much for reading. As always, I’d love to hear all about your experiences in the comments below. I hope you’re having a great day!
