How to Grow Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are favoured by colour lovers for the vibrance they contribute to displays. Growing in a selection of stunning hues, we are keen believers that sweet peas have a place in all cut flower gardens. As a relatively easy-to-grow plant, the rewards of growing sweet peas are massive as they can be grown in pots and beds around the garden and displayed in vases about the home. 

Introduce a new style to your displays with our sweet peas and curate a complimentary arrangement that showcases your immense taste level in the garden. Find out how to grow sweet peas here at Johnsons and hear our expert advice on maintaining your blooms. We’ll be covering topics like ‘how to grow sweet peas from seed,’ ‘how to plant sweet peas,’ ‘how to cut sweet peas,’ and more. 

Ground Preparation

Preparing your soil is an important first step towards growing high-quality sweet peas. Sweet peas require a sunny, open space with plenty of room. They prefer moisture-retentive soil that is also well-draining to avoid waterlogging. To enhance the quality of the soil, we also recommend digging in peat-free compost or manure.

Sowing

When growing sweet peas, you have a few options in terms of your approach - but let’s begin with how to grow sweet peas from seed. You can choose to sow your sweet pea seeds in either spring or autumn. If you’re getting a head start by sowing in autumn, however, be sure to keep them in a frost-free location until spring comes around.

How to sow sweet peas

Prior to sowing, you may want to nick the coats of your annual seeds with a knife to encourage faster germination. Spread your seeds across your compost and bury them around 3 cm deep. It’s important to keep your soil moist as your sweet peas germinate. 

As your seedlings grow in size, you may need to transplant them into larger pots - particularly if you chose to sow them in autumn. By the end of May, your sweet peas should be ready for transplanting in their final position. You can prepare for this by hardening them off gradually over the course of around ten days before moving them to the garden.

Planting

Rather than sowing sweet peas, you may opt for planting a young sweet pea plant instead. Here at Johnsons, we supply a stunning range of premium sweet pea varieties for you to choose from. So, here is our advice on how to plant sweet peas. 

How to plant sweet peas

Aim to plant out on a dry day when the weather is reasonably mild, and the soil is frost-free and not excessively wet. Any good, well-drained soil, free of perennial weeds and which grows other flowers and vegetables well, will also grow good sweet peas. If possible, try to plant on land that was dug and manured the previous autumn as sweet peas like firm and settled soil conditions.

Erecting a suitable system of supports for your plants may be necessary in preparation for planting unless you are planning to grow them against an existing structure such as a trellis or chain-link fence. Wigwams of canes are ideal where space is limited. Otherwise, bean netting or a double row of canes can be used. Whatever support you opt for, you should bear in mind that sweet peas can grow to 1.8m (6ft) or more during a season.

Using a trowel, set the plants about 20cm (8in) apart. Firm in and water well after planting.

Plant Care

Feeding

To ensure good establishment and healthy growth, water your plants regularly in dry weather and give a weak general-purpose liquid feed fortnightly. 

Support

If you’re planning on cutting your sweet peas to be displayed as bouquets around your home, offering them support is an important step in upholding their appearance. You may need to tie stems that have difficulty clinging to their supports to maintain the shape and appearance of your arrangements. 

Deadheading

Maintain the overall health of your plant by deadheading them regularly. If you notice that any of your flower heads are fading, simply remove them so that your plant can focus that energy on strengthening other areas. If your focus is on producing captivating displays, it is integral that you remove any seed pods that form, as these can greatly reduce flowering.

Cutting

Offering vivid colour, delicate shapes and pleasing aromas, who wouldn’t be keen to display their elegant sweet peas around the home?  

How to cut sweet peas

The best approach when selecting your cut flowers is to pick the stems with several fully open flowers and one or two unfurling flowers nearest the top. We recommend cutting your stems as long as possible at a 45-degree angle to maximise their ability to absorb water. 

Sweetpeas don’t have the longest vase life, which is why it’s vital to keep on top of your arrangements outside so that you can enjoy a consistent flow of cut flowers week on week. 

Shop Sweet Peas at Johnsons

With over 200 years of experience, Johnsons is a heritage brand with a passion for colour. So, if you’re looking for a trusted supplier of sweet peas that will elevate the appearance of not only your garden but your interior, you’re in the right place. Now that you have a clearer idea of how to grow sweet peas, it’s time to put your ideas into practice and begin your growing journey. 

Why not explore our garden essentials to help you along the way and get some dazzling ideas from the garden inspiration across our site?