Sweet Pea 'Ice Cream'

Transplant (recommended): Sweet peas have long taproots, so starting them indoors gives you better control over their early development. Sow seeds into deep containers or plugs 4–6 weeks before your average last frost date. Before sowing, you can nick the hard seed coat with a file or soak the seeds in room temperature water for no longer than 24 hours to improve germination. Plant seeds 1/2" deep and 2–3" apart. Harden off seedlings for 7–10 days before transplanting outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

Direct Seed (alternative): You can also sow seeds directly into the garden in early spring, 4–6 weeks before your average last frost date. This method is also suitable for regions with mild winters, where you can sow in late fall.

Pinching: To encourage bushier growth and more flowers, pinch the tips of young plants when they are 4–6" tall. You should also deadhead spent flowers regularly to prolong the blooming season and prevent the plant from going to seed.

Soil Preference and Watering: Sweet peas need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Amend the soil with compost before planting. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot, dry weather. They do not tolerate being waterlogged.

Fertilizing: Sweet peas are heavy feeders. Fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer that is low in nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Support: Sweet peas are vining plants and require a trellis, fence, or other support structure. Install the support at the time of planting to avoid damaging the roots later.

Harvesting: For vase or bouquet use, harvest sweet peas in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cool. Choose stems that have at least two open flowers and a few unopened buds. Use sharp snips to cut the stems, then immediately place them in a vase of water. To extend vase life, remove any leaves that will be below the waterline and re-cut the stems at an angle.