"Lathyrus odoratus: Sweet peas are an easy flower to grow. Their peak bloom time is early summer, and typically finish by mid-July, unless otherwise noted.

CULTURE: Sweet peas prefer deeply dug soil with lots of rich compost. Best grown in full sun on a fence or trellis. Sow in early spring, the same time you would plant garden peas. To hasten germination the seed can be rubbed with sandpaper and soaked for one hour in warm (110°F) water to help soften the hard seed coat. Sow the seed 1-2 inches deep. Germination occurs in 10-15 days. When the seedlings are about 10 inches tall, pinch out the growing point to allow for more branching. Vines average 4-5 feet long. To prolong flowering, mulch heavily to keep the soil cool, fertilize lightly during the blooming season, and remove old blossoms. Gardeners in zones 6 or higher can sow sweet peas in pots in October, overwinter them in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse, and transplant out in early April. Make sure to plant outside before roots emerge from the bottom of the pot. In colder climates, direct sow in the spring. "

   Full Sun
   Cutting and Crafting
   Annual