Saving sweet pea seeds Leave the seed pods on the plants until they have turned a paper bag colour. Collect them on a dry day, remove them from their pods and store in paper bags in a dry place until you a ready to sow them.
How do I get seeds from my sweet peas?
Collecting seeds from sweet peas is easy. Bring the seedpods indoors and remove the seeds from the pods. Line a flat surface, such as a countertop or cookie sheet, with newspaper and let the seeds dry for about three days. Once dry, put them in a freezer bag or Mason jar with a tight-fitting lid to keep them dry.
What do you do with sweet peas after they have flowered?
Cut down your sweet peas when they finish flowering, but leave the roots in the ground as they have little nodules on them which will add nitrogen to your soil.
Do you need to soak sweet pea seeds before planting?
Many people recommend soaking seeds overnight before sowing to help them germinate. This is because some varieties have a hard outer shell. However, others suggest that soaking may lead to weaker plants. Generally, sweet peas should germinate fine without any treatment.
Do sweet peas come back every year?
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) only live for a year, dying after setting seed. But don’t let this put you off as they are super easy to grow from seed. Perennial species such as Lathyrus latifolius come back year after year, but mostly lack fragrance and there are fewer to choose from.
Can you plant fresh pea seeds?
How to Plant Peas. After the peas are germinated, then you can plant them straight into your garden beds or soil. We dig a little trench in the soil and throw the peas in, usually about 3 inches apart. Then we’ll cover them up, push down on the soil gently with our hands and then sprinkle them with water.
Should I remove sweet pea pods?
Once your sweet pea plants are in full flower make sure that you dead-head them and remove seed pods as soon as possible to encourage more blooms to be produced.
Do sweet peas come true from seed?
“Yes, what Brian is saying is absolutely correct, sweet pea varieties will almost always come true from seed,” he confirms. “So if you save seed of a blue-flowering variety, then that seed will produce a blue-flowering plant.
How toxic are sweet peas?
Sweet Pea Toxicity
The seeds of sweet peas are mildly poisonous, containing lathyrogens that, if ingested, in large quantities can cause a condition called Lathyrus. Symptoms of Lathyrus are paralysis, labored breathing, and convulsions.
Does cutting sweet peas encourage more flowers?
As the flowers open keep cutting; this stimulates further flower production. Never leave seeds to develop on the plants. Remember that sweet peas are annuals. If seeds develop they tell the plant that its work is done and the plant starts to die back.
Does picking sweet peas encourage more flowers?
Regular picking will encourage more flowers and prevent plants from setting seed. Water sweet peas growing in pots, and during very dry weather.
Can you eat sweet pea leaves?
All parts of the pea plant are edible. As the pea leaves and stems mature, they tend to get tough and stringy, but when they are young, the pea shoots are not just tender, they are also crisp and tasty. They have a pea-like flavor, but even fresher.
Can I plant sweet peas in February?
The lore is that the best sweet peas are sown in December to give them time to get their roots down while the cold air of winter keeps the top growth sturdy. However, I’ve found sowing in January and early February gives as good results.
Do sweet peas need darkness to germinate?
Darkness is required for germination, so be sure to cover the seed completely with soil. Thin to 1 seedling per hole when true leaves appear. Ensure that the plants do not dry out at any point in their life cycle.
Can I plant sweet peas in January?
Sweet peas are annuals and can be sown in the spring. However, as with sowing the seeds in October, a January sowing enables the plants to develop strong roots, put on some early growth and provide larger plants to set out after the frosts.
What do you do with sweet peas in the winter?
Sweet peas can withstand temperatures of about -5 at night but will not like to be frozen in their pots all day. If you overdo it and lose the top growth, chances are, if you give them some warmth they will have established enough root to sprout again.
Can sweet peas survive winter?
Sweet peas are a hardy annual, which means they will tolerate cold, even a light frost below if freezing. They are tougher than they look and will take a regular frost down to around -4.
Do sweet pea flowers reseed?
Yes. When the flowers are done blooming pods will form. These pods will grow seeds inside. They are ready for harvesting when they are brown and dry and the pods are just starting to pop open.
How can you tell if pea seeds are good?
Take the seeds and place them in a container of water. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout.
How do you prepare pea seeds for planting?
Plant in a well-drained area and do not pre-soak. Pea seeds should be kept moist but can rot if they are left sitting in water for too long. Seeds can be sown from early to late spring for a summer harvest. Seeds can be sown again in summer (July and August) for a fall crop.
How many pea seeds are in a hole?
Always add at least 2 pea seeds per hole. Even 3–4 seeds per hole is fine. Planting just one seed could leave you without any peas growing in that spot. Peas only have a 60 to 80% germinate rate, after all.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.