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Sweet pea planting soil.

Don my TonDon my Ton Posts: 78
in Plants

Got to thinking about sowing my peas soon, thing is they say compost only gives about 5 weeks of goodness before its dead. Seeing that they will be in there for months is it best to plant them in something else ?  Maybe a mixture of soil and compost.

Cheers,

rob.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Hi Rob, I don't think you need to worry too much as they will be fairly dormant over winter, when the compost has done it's thing, and won't need any more help till growth starts getting going properly in spring again. I don't normally sow them in autumn so I'm not 100% sure. Pinching out to keep them bushy over winter is a big factor in maintaining them. 

    Hopefully David K can help you more - he's the sweet pea expert on here. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    I usually sow half in the autumn half in the spring. whether its just where I live, but there is absolutely no difference, except you have to keep them over winter. This year I am waiting for spring to do the lot.

    Whatever way you choose, the autumn sown ones need a tall pot,

    I use root trainers, because they grow a long tap root. Watch out for slugs they love the new shoots.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    Any compost and kitchen roll middles work for me image, my cold frame is usually a clear refuse sack image
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Just bumping this up in case David K is on and he can offer any further advice for Rob image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



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

    Hi, Don

    Not sure if you'll be looking in again, but I'll answer it anyway.

    There is absolutely no reason to be concerned about the nutrients lasting in your SP compost.....on the contrary, too many nutrients will spoil your plants by producing too much over-winter growth.

    Whilst on the subject, I would recommend that you use only 'seed' compost to sow your seed, as this has a lower nutrient content. I know some will claim that they use multi-purpose compost with success, but others are unaware that it is responsible for their plants becoming leggy & weak.

    Do remember Lyn's advice about using deep pots...SPs are very deep rooted. Sweet pea growing tubes are widely available.

    Btw, you may find this thread of some interest: http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/the-potting-shed/growing-sweet-peas/6143-56.html

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Knew you'd appear with the right advice David!  image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • UnknownUnknown
    Fairygirl wrote (see)

    Knew you'd appear with the right advice David!  image

     

    I'm so predictable! image  image

  • Don my TonDon my Ton Posts: 78
    Ok thanks all.
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