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Sweepeas - sown in January??

saragowers7T_DU6LTsaragowers7T_DU6LT Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hello - I'm a complete novice gardening and I got a bit excited because of lockdown and germinated some Sweetpea seedlings a few weeks ago inside (likely too early?) I have a coldframe outside - if I put them out there and snip off the top of the shoots once they have 4 pairs of leaves, then plant out in March is that sensible? Reading through I think it would have been better to either sow in Autumn or in Spring... Thanks. 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Unless you're in a very mild area, it's too early to sow, but you can certainly harden them off and get them into a cold frame and pinch out if the grow. March would still be very early to plant out in many areas, so you'll need to play it by ear. 
    Put them in the cold frame each day for a little while, gradually increasing that length of time, and after a week or so they'll be fine to leave out. Make sure you leave the lid open a bit for some ventilation though, and just let them tick over until conditions are suitable for them to go out.  :)
    It's worth making a note of when you sow and what happens etc, and that makes it easier for future years. You can also sow more in another month or so  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • saragowers7T_DU6LTsaragowers7T_DU6LT Posts: 4
    Thank you! I'm in Brighton so they may survive - I'll see what happens and just sow some more in March if it doesn't go well =D
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You can probably plant out reasonably early @saragowers7T_DU6LT, but let the plants guide you. If you're planting into the ground as opposed to pots, that can often be later as the ground will be slower to warm up.
    Having said that - they're tough plants, and although they may sit and sulk for a little while, as soon as conditions warm up and improve, they'll romp away.   :)
    One thing I would suggest though, is that as you'll probably have high temps for long spells where you are, keep some of them in a slightly shadier, cooler spot. Full sun is always recommended for them, but many sweet peas struggle to thrive in long hot spells, especially as they need a lot of food and water.
    Sowing some extra ones later can help prolong your flowering season too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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