[Hey Jude]

Last year for the first time I made a concerted effort to remove the tendrils as the plants grew to see if I got more flowers and was overwhelmed with beautiful blooms. It was a tad time consuming, but I used to go out first thing in the morning when the family was still asleep and nip off any I could see - in fact, I had so many sweet peas I was taking bunches round to my neighbours and anyone who came was regaled with the cry of 'oh you must take a bunch of sweet peas with you when you go.....' I think I was quite popular!! Jude.

[Paul Plots]

Last year for the first time I made a concerted effort to remove the tendrils as the plants grew to see if I got more flowers and was overwhelmed with beautiful blooms. It was a tad time consuming, but I used to go out first thing in the morning when the family was still asleep and nip off any I could see - in fact, I had so many sweet peas I was taking bunches round to my neighbours and anyone who came was regaled with the cry of 'oh you must take a bunch of sweet peas with you when you go.....' I think I was quite popular!! Jude.

I'm not sure where the idea came from - "nipping off the tendrils" - but my mum has often said this works. My dad, on the other hand, had never any intention of trying it due to the amount of time it would take. It'd be interesting to plant 10 plants with identical growing conditions - nip the tendrils from 5 and see if there really is a difference....

I do know that if you allow pods to form the plant stops producing flowers considering its job done... but keeping up with the picking can be time consuming too.. 

[hoporus]

Hi    Last year when i planted my sweet peas outside it was a bit early but was given a tip which worked well  Using clear plastic pop bottles cut them in half and remove lids Place the tops and bottoms over the planted sweet peas and it helps keep the soil warm  Well youd think i had nothing better to do but i tried it and they came up ok  Start drinking now and try it lol

[Kristen]

As a family we put all our used 2L "Pop" bottles in a box, instead of recycle, and its surprising how many there are in the box come the Spring; and Loo-rolls and Kitchen-rolls!!

[Jamie Butterworth]

Im so proud of my sweet peas so far. They are about 4 inch high with plenty of side shoots and are looking realy healthy

[Paul Plots]

Im so proud of my sweet peas so far. They are about 4 inch high with plenty of side shoots and are looking realy healthy

Well done you!   

If your plants are from bought-seed I'd try to remember to collect some of the drying seed pods at the end of the season - could save a mint for the following year 

I do this most years adding just one packet of something fancy each year... I have quite a variety of flower colours from randomly collected seeds.. They cross pollinate freely – I’m not sure how long it would be before they revert to less attractive forms….but they smell lovely!

[Jamie Butterworth]

thanks, good idea

[Jamie Butterworth]

Well, i planted mine out a while back and the plants havent done anything, not grown up  the netting ive pput in place, there not dead, but just arent doing ought

[gillie]

Well, i planted mine out a while back and the plants havent done anything, not grown up  the netting ive pput in place, there not dead, but just arent doing ought

My sweet peas always hang around like this - and then suddenly they take off...

Gillie

[Hey Jude]

I've just been out looking at my sweet peas and after the rain we've had, they've really grown in a matter of days - I think the weather isn't helping at the moment - a couple of cloudy days, then scorching sun that saps their energy (and mine!), and then torrential rain, there's no happy medium! Jude.

[Paul Plots]

Picked my first bunch today - a very small bunch = 3 

[Hey Jude]

Small is beautiful Learner!

[mobilekat]

Well done on having flowers, mine are taking their time- apparently I will enjoy them more when they get there (but I was a bit late planting them!

All we need now are some photos to admire!

[Paul Plots]

All we need now are some photos to admire!

  Not this year's though...

[mobilekat]

Thanks- they look wonderful, and I bet they smelt like heaven!