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Sweet pea and zinnia sowing

Ante1Ante1 Posts: 3,085
Does anyone sow sweet pea and zinnia directly in soil? 
Every year I sowed them inside in February but this year I'll have many other plants so I want try some plants sow directly,  including sweet peaand zinnia.
Croatia

Posts

  • PurplerainPurplerain Posts: 1,053
    I always grow sweet peas in those tube things and then plant them out after frost has passed. I don't know what your weather is like in Croatia, but why not do both? Do some as you usually do and try planting some direct. I don't grow Zinnia, but try the same with them. Belts and braces 🙂.
    SW Scotland
  • Zinnias are much more sensitive to frost than sweet peas, though, so if you're sowing them direct it'll need to be after your frosts have finished.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Ante1Ante1 Posts: 3,085
    Thanks for tips. I'll try to save a space for other seedlings. I'm limited with inside space and I have a large garden so I must combine. I'll try both ways. 
    We are finished with frost in April here. 
    Croatia
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    Maybe look into getting a cold frame in the garden? Sweet peas can go in there even over winter..
  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150
    Hi Ante. Always sow my zinnias indoors, don't have the climate for direct sowing of half-hardy seeds here in the northwest uk.
    I have had some success with sweet peas, although they take longer to germinate than those started off inside, and are more vulnerable to a slug attack.

    This year I have already have some plants from my first ever go at an Autumn sowing. A few seeds were poked into a couple of small pots when I cut down the stems last year. I wasn't expecting much but to my surprise they sprouted.
    They have been kept overwinter in my homemade cold frame, and have survived with very little attention other than an occasional drop of water.


    I've just pinched out that leggy sideshoot. 


    Getting or making a cold frame could be very useful to you for growing hardy seeds if you're short on space.
    I made mine from an old rabbit hutch and replaced the roof and front with some clear polycarbonate.


    January 30th, with it's snowy hat on 😄.
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