[Pony Girl]

Last week I bought a tray of trailing sweetpeas to go in hanging baskets. How many plants would you recommend I put in an average size hanging basket?

I don't want to overcrowd them but equally would like an impressive display! I'm keeping them in the tray at the moment as they are still quite small until it gets a bit warmer.

Thanks.

[Staffordshiremags]

I've never thought of putting sweet peas in a basket.  Will normal climbing sweet peas be suitable for this?  Mags

[Yorkie]

Staffordshiremags, you can get sweet peas which are much shorter than the standard 6' ones.

For example, Mr Fothergills have:

- Patio Mixed 18"
- Dwarf Explorer Mixed 24"
- Villa Roma Scarlet 10"

I'd probably go for 18" or less for baskets.

As for how many in a basket?  Difficult to say.  I'd probably go for a bigger basket as it gives room for compost as well as roots, and retains water slightly better.  Add a saucer or plastic lining at the bottom to help retain water and consider using gel crystals and fertiliser granules.

In a larger basket I'd probably aim to put 6-8 round the top.  I'm not keen on putting ones in the sides, as the water just runs out of the plant holes.

[Pony Girl]

Thanks, Yorkie. I didn't realise it would be so few per basket. It's hard to imagine them growing that much but I guess they must be fast growing and quite rampant - glad I checked! They are special ones for hanging baskets.

I've got gel stuff so will add it to compost.

Can normal sweetpeas go straight into compost in flower bed to go up trellis or do they need extra fertiliser?

[Yorkie]

I would add extra fertiliser such as FB&B to the compost, although if you don't have any then it will probably be OK.

Either way, use potash / tomato feed to keep flowers coming.

[Pony Girl]

Do you have to wait until they flower before you start feeding them?

[Staffordshiremags]

That's great, thanks. I think it's a bit late for this year but I will get some going tomorrow. Maggie

[Yorkie]

I only sowed some sweet pea seeds last weekend so you should just about be OK.