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How do you start your autumn sweet peas?

Jess91Jess91 Posts: 159
I've read far too much conflicting information now!

I am leaving them to soak for a while before planting, on the advice of the place I bought them, although others say not to, or to nick the seed pods instead.

I'll then put them in compost to germinate.  I know they need cool over winter so they'll go outside into a sheltered place, but do I need to keep them inside in the warmth until they've sprouted or do they go straight outside as soon as they're in the compost?  I'm in East Yorkshire, outside day time temps currently around 10-12 degrees.

I'm probably overthinking it at this point!
Slowly building a wildlife garden, in a new build in East Yorkshire.

Posts

  • WAMSWAMS Posts: 1,960
    I don't bother soaking or nicking and they pretty much all germinate.

    I leave them indoors on the windowsill until they start germinating (to protect them from mice), then they go outside.
  • Jess91Jess91 Posts: 159
    Thanks @WAMS. Do yours go into a cold frame or will a sheltered spot do?
    Slowly building a wildlife garden, in a new build in East Yorkshire.
  • WAMSWAMS Posts: 1,960
    I don't have a proper cold frame so I stick a plastic box over them (on bricks) and a brick on top of that. It looks horrific but does the job.:)
  • Jess91Jess91 Posts: 159
    Ha, funnily enough if you'd said cold frame that's pretty much what I was going to do. I don't own a cold frame 🤣
    Slowly building a wildlife garden, in a new build in East Yorkshire.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    edited November 2023
    I soak mine for 24 hours but because of life they soak for about 5 days. I then just plant out in deep P9 pots and store in my greenhouse. The only variety I've nicked are the perennial sweet pea as the seed casings don't seem to soften from the soaking. 

    I'm growing both annual and perennial, planted in October, and both are growing well, perhaps 6inches and very healthy looking. I estimate that I've had around 70-80% germination but some are still popping up. 
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