I’m not Irish and I don’t like beer – green or otherwise. I work at home so even even though I’m wearing a green t-shirt, even if I wasn’t, I’m not in much danger of being pinched and it’s too cold outside to plant my (now-chitted) potatoes. That’s too cold for me – not the potatoes. But like gardeners the world over, my heart sings at the first sign of green shoots emerging from a carefully tended seed tray.
Two weeks ago I seeded my first batch of trays. Sweet peas have pride of place in my sunniest window, snug in their brand new covered seed tray. The fat seeds were first soaked overnight in a small amount of water in which I had dissolved a dusting of Dr. Earth’s “Superactive Soil & Seed Inoculant” before nestling them into cushy, reconstituted peat pellets.
All legumes (peas and beans) benefit from beneficial bacteria, which Dr. Earth’s SSSI is chock full of, allowing the plants to more efficiently do what they do naturally – which is “fix” atmospheric nitrogen in nodules along their roots – meaning? Stronger plants more resistant to heat stress and some people believe, better able to fend off pea enation – a viral disease that turns pea leaves powdered and shuts down flower and pod production. More peas, more flowers? That’s a good thing and more nitrogen in the soil (for free!) is too. Note: be sure to leave the roots to break down in the soil and release their fertile goods when removing faded plants.
I digress, back to the Sweet Peas. I love sweet peas. My Nana loved sweet peas. They were Big Dave’s favorite flower. I just can’t get enough of these nostalgic plants and their heavenly scented blossoms; I have no use for modern unscented varieties with their giant floozy flowers.
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- ‘April in Paris’
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- ‘Watermelon’
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- ‘Pastel Sunset’
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- ‘Blackcurrant Mousse’
This year I’ve started 5 varieties:
April in Paris – deliciously fragrant, large wavy petaled flowers are pale yellow edged in purple; one of my favorites. I’m getting somewhat spotty germination from seed packed for 2008…more on that below.
Watermelon – long sturdy stems and ruffly flowers in shades of melon pink have me dreaming of summer bouquets. I’m really hoping they’ll be more on the melon and less on the cherry side of the fruity equation. Good germination on seed packed for 2009.
Pastel Sunset – a delectable blend of milky pastels. But let’s face it, supposedly demure milkmaids are often pretty lusty lasses; I’m anticipating blush pink, fleshy coral, pale creamy ivory, and anything-but-shy violet blooms. Good germination on seed packed for 2008.
Blackcurrant Mousse – reputedly a strong bloomer in pale mauve; I fear it will be that ubiquitous ho-hum purple that is the garden’s equivalent of beige. Did I mention I got almost 100% germination on seed packed for 2006; now I know they’ll be beige – but I’ll have armloads!
Alan Titchmarsh – Well he may have been voted the sexiest man in England but he’s a no-show in my seed tray – zero germination. Granted the seed was packed for 2006 but look at Blackcurrant Mousse; I guess it’s all part of Mother Nature’s obsession with mauve. Too bad, I was looking forward to the “almond blossom pink on a cream ground” blossoms. Of course if I was really curious, I suppose I would have planted the seed back in 2006 when I bought them!
Sweet peas like a bit of warmth in their soil to germinate but they can tolerate cold temperatures once they are up and established. That’s good because it seems like a week doesn’t go by here in the Puget Sound area where we don’t get another spate of snow. But days are lengthening and the soil is warming; I checked my soil thermometer in my coldframe the other day and it read 80 F.!!! For now, the nascent vines are cozy in my dining room. That will give me time to figure out just where I think I’m gonna grow these beauties out in the garden…hmmmm, I’ve never been much for planning vine support in advance.
For those of you who still have sweet peas – or any other seed – lying around from previous seasons, here is an excerpt from Hortus Miscellaneous:
Testing Seed Viability
- Place 10 seeds on a damp paper towel sealed in a plastic bag.
- Put plastic bag in a warm, bright location and watch for germination to occur.
- Multiply the number of germinated seeds by 10 to gain a viability percentage: Greater than 70 percent, sow as directed; 40-60 percent, sow more heavily that indicated on seed package; less than 40 percent, replace seed with a fresh purchase.
Check out Renee’s Garden Seed for an amazingly comprehensive selection of modern and heirloom varieties of sweet peas. I carried this trustworthy line of seeds when I had the nursery and I’m a huge fan of not just their sweet peas and other fabulous garden flowers from seed, but I think their packets of vegetable seed blends are brilliant and a boon for the home gardener with a hunger for variety but little space to “farm”. From 14 different combos of mixed greens greens to my favorite tricolor pole beans, I’m never without Renee’s seed – even if it is a few years old.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Those are nice. We only did sweet peas once and didn’t do too well with them but enough we could smell their heavenly scent. Maybe we had them in to hot a place.
My fav scented flower on earth, also of my mom and grandma, I think. No place to grow them that I can figure, so I always pick up a few bunches at Farmers’ markets when they bloom. What’s a sweet pea without its scent?!
What a treasure trove of information. I find myself again in your debt.
And as for your very fine ‘Hortus Miscellaneous’ it has taken up the place of honor, atop the porcelain in the downstairs dunny, beside the asparagus fern and nearest the garden. Been meaning to get a picture of it there, and will one of these days soon, to show its importance and staying power in my world. ;>)
Oh David – I would ADORE a photo of Hortus on the back of the porcelain throne. Most people say they keep their copy by their bedside but you and I know it’s rightful home! Many thanks for the kind words.
Lorene
Yep, sweet peas don’t love heat – unless you get an heirloom variety. The original sweet pea was native to Sicily – now that’s hot! Try Cupani or Matucana, both descendants of that original variety. The burgundy and maroon bi-colored flowers are smaller than modern hybrids but they are incredibly fragrant and hold up far better in summer’s heat. ENJOY!
Lorene
This wonderful column brings back memories of our Sunset article about you and sweet peas so many years back. One of our first “garden dates” when our friendship was rekindled xoxo deb