Do You Need To Soak Sweet Pea Seeds Before Planting?

Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing. This softens the seed coat and speeds up the sprouting process. While the seeds are soaking, fill your planting pots with good quality potting soil. Sweet peas produce abundant roots, so use the deepest pots you can find.

Do you soak sweet pea seeds?

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 pea seeds need to be soaked before planting?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, you should soak pea seeds before planting, as it will help germination. A good rule of thumb is to soak the seeds in water overnight prior to planting. This will make them grow faster.

Do sweet pea seeds need cold stratification?

Some seeds, like Pansies or perennial Sweet Peas, need special treatment to be able to break dormancy and germinate! If you have wondered why you have never had luck germinating some plants from perfectly fresh seed, cold stratification may be what is needed!

Does soaking pea seeds speed germination?

Some pea (Pisum sativum) seeds will look wrinkled. Most of them have hard coats, and all benefit from soaking before planting. Soak them overnight in warm water. This will expedite the germination process.

Which seeds should be soaked before planting?

A short list of seeds that like to soak are peas, beans, pumpkins and other winter squash, chard, beets, sunflower, lupine, fava beans, and cucumbers. Most other medium-to-large vegetable and flower seeds with thick coats benefit from soaking.

How long should sweet pea seeds be soaked?

Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing. This softens the seed coat and speeds up the sprouting process. While the seeds are soaking, fill your planting pots with good quality potting soil.

Can you put seeds straight into soil?

Growing from seeds indoors is one way of starting your garden. Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results.

How do you germinate pea seeds faster?

Peas will germinate faster if soil temperatures are 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You can speed up the germination process by soaking the peas for 24 to 48 hours before planting.

What month do you plant sweet peas?

when to plant sweet peas. Sow sweet pea seeds between October and April. For best results aim for late October/November or late February/March as temperatures and light levels are less than ideal in midwinter. Sweet peas can also be sown direct into the ground in April or May.

How long do sweet peas take to grow from seed?

Spring-sown sweet peas flower in 12-14 weeks. Sweet peas often have a hard seed coat making them more difficult to germinate. To soften the seed coat, place your seeds on a layer of moist vermiculite or kitchen tissue in an airtight container in a warm room, and sow them as soon as they swell or begin to sprout.

Can I plant out sweet peas in March?

Gardeners’ World (opens in new tab) seem adamant that you should treat sweet peas as any other non-hardy annual: ‘Plant out your sweet peas from late May, once all risk of frost has passed. Before planting, harden them off by putting them out in the day and returning them to a frost-free place at night. ‘

Can you sow 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.

Do sweet peas grow well in pots?

Sweet Peas can be very successfully grown in containers providing a few basic rules are observed. These are; The container needs to be sufficient volume for the number of plants with a minimum size of 20 litres. Sweet Peas have a large root system and can easily become pot bound.

Where is the best place to plant sweet peas?

the sun
Sweet peas are happiest with their heads in the sun and their roots deep in cool, moist soil. When possible, plant low-growing annuals in front of them to shade their roots. Choose a well-drained site. Alkaline soil is best; sprinkle some powdered lime on the surface if your soil tends to be acidic.

What happens to a seed when it is soaked in water overnight?

When seeds are soaked in water, they begin to warm up and produce carbon dioxide. Seeds are dormant, or at least close to dormancy. When we provide them with warmth and moisture they start to grow.

Why have my sweet pea seeds not germinated?

Peas might not germinate for a variety of reasons. Check that your batch of seeds isn’t expired or older than 2 years. Directly sown peas might not germinate in temperatures that are below 38F or above 75F. Waterlogged soil will cause pea seeds to rot.

Can you soak peas too long?

An overnight soak is very common. A 24 hour soak is enough to take out most wrinkles. More than 48 hours can harm seeds. The easiest way to soak peas is to put them in a small dish, and cover them with tap water.

Is vinegar good for seed germination?

No, seeds will not germinate in vinegar. Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid, which has inhibition of impact on seed germination.

How long should I soak seeds before planting?

Many sources recommend 8-12 hours and no more than 24 hours. Again, too much soaking and the seeds will start to decompose. If you use very hot water, the soaking time will decrease. We’ve always liked to use warm water and start the soaking at bedtime, then plant first thing in the morning.

How does vinegar affect seed germination?

Acetic acid helps certain seeds to germinate faster and allows the outer layer to break down for speedy growth. This also enables the developing seedlings to absorb any nutrients that are added during the germination process.