How long is the blooming period of sweet peas? A detailed guide to sowing and planting times

Sweet pea, scientific name Lathyrus odoratus, is an annual herbaceous plant in the genus Lathyrus of the Fabaceae family, native to Sicily, Italy. With its elegant flower form, captivating fragrance and rich colors, it has become a darling among flowers and is much loved by gardening enthusiasts.

The blooming period of sweet pea usually runs from spring to early summer, lasting about 2 - 3weeks. The flowers have a distinctive shape, with soft, delicate petals, and come in a wide range of colors including red, pink, white, purple and blue, whose combinations complement one another beautifully. Their fragrance is fresh and pleasant, sweet without being cloying, and is delightfully refreshing.

Sweet peas are generally sown in autumn. First, select healthy, plump seeds free of pests and diseases. Prepare a loose, airy, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; you can mix leaf mold, peat soil and perlite in a 3:2:1ratio. Scatter the seeds evenly over the soil surface, gently cover them with a thin layer of soil about 1 - 2cm thick, then water thoroughly and keep the soil moist. At a suitable temperature (15 - 20°C), they will germinate in about a week or so.

When planting sweet peas, provide them with plenty of sunlight, but avoid the scorching sun of summer; plant them in a sunny spot with a little shade, such as beside a garden fence or on the east side of a balcony. When the seedlings reach 10 - 15cm tall, promptly set up a support for them to climb and grow on. The support can be bamboo poles, wooden sticks or wire mesh, generally about 1.5 - 2m tall.

As for routine care, sweet peas like moisture but hate waterlogging. During the growing period, keep the soil moist; you can water once every 2 - 3days, and in the high heat of summer you need to water more often, but be careful to drain well and prevent waterlogging. Fertilizing should follow the principle of light, frequent feeds; during the vigorous growth period, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer once every 1 - 2weeks, and add extra phosphorus and potassium fertilizer at the bud stage to promote flower bud differentiation and blooming. At the same time, promptly prune spent flowers and dead branches to keep the plant looking good and well ventilated and lit, reducing the occurrence of pests and diseases.