How to Grow Fragrant Sweet Peas

Sweet Peas are one of the most popular plants for UK gardens. They are annuals so only last the one summer but the display they give is always amazing; lots and lots of colourful, usually fragrant, flowers growing on bright green stems up to 6-7ft in height. Wonderful!

As an added bonus they are very easy to grow; you can sow the seed directly into the ground or bring them on in the greenhouse or you can buy small plants from your local garden centre.

Before sowing, either indoors or outdoors, soak the seed overnight in warm water.

Sowing where they are to Flower

• Choose a sunny, sheltered site and incorporate some well-rotted manure to enrich the soil, particularly if you have sandy soil. If you have heavy soil add some grit to help with drainage.
• Wait until all risk of frost has passed, usually March or April, then just pop the seed in the ground about 2.5cm deep.
• Give them some support and a good watering and you should have flowers by July.

Bringing on in Pots

• Seed can be sown either from late September to November or during January or February.
• Choose deep pots, root trainers or toilet roll tubes to give a long root run.
• For best results use named varieties or cultivars and a good quality, free draining, potting compost.
• Sow three seeds to a 7.5cm (3ins) pot, 1cm deep.
• Place the pots in a cold frame or greenhouse at around 20-25C (68-77F) until after germination which should take 10-20 days.
• Pinch out the growing tip when about 8cm tall to produce bushier plants.
• Harden off gradually before planting in their final position.
• Plant in a rich, free draining soil in a sunny position.

Looking after the Plants

• Keep them well watered during dry spells.
• Apply well-rotted manure occasionally throughout the season.
• Slugs, snails and mice love sweet pea seedlings so take the necessary precautions.
• Pick the flowers or deadhead regularly throughout the summer to ensure plenty of flowers.

If you are interested in growing Sweet Peas and would like to know more why not join the National Sweet Pea Society. Their six-monthly Bulletins often contain articles relating to Sweet Pea plant diseases.

ORDER YOUR SWEET PEA PLANTS AND SEEDS

Gardening in Raised Beds

As gardeners we love to be outside in the garden either planting, digging, pruning or doing one of the many other jobs that always need doing.

However, I also think that what we would all agree is that it can be back-breaking!

One of the best ways to reduce wear and tear on your back is to plant in containers or to install a series of Raised Beds. Indeed if you like to grow vegetables or have an allotment then growing in Raised Beds is often the best way to succeed.

The advantages of Raised Beds:

• able to grow in otherwise unsuitable soil or locations
• improved drainage and soil structure
• extra height of soil increases rooting depth
• cloches, tunnels or frames can easily be erected over the beds
• no need to walk on the soil
• you can work at a comfortable height
• especially handy for wheelchair users and those with back problems
• soil compaction is greatly reduced if not eliminated
• close planting creates a micro-climate which leads to healthy plants and bigger crops.

Take a look at this short video from Harrod Horticultural which shows you the advantages of gardening in raised beds:

If you are good at DIY then you should be able to build your own Raised Beds as they did on Gardeners World (click here to see how to build your own).

However, these days there are quite a number of easy to assemble, low maintenance plastic Link-a-Bord kits available on the market which make starting your Raised Bed Garden so much more quick and easy. Harrod Horticulture has a number of different Raised Bed Kits available as well as a wide range of accessories such as Hoops, Covers, Liners and Irrigation Kits so take a look now to find your ideal solution:

Standard Timber Raised Beds	Superior Timber Raised Beds	Allotments Timber Raised Beds	Corner Timber Raised Beds	Manger Raised Planter	Timer Raised Bed Tables

To complete your new garden you will need top soil:

Rolawn Vegetable & Fruit Topsoil is a fertile, organic rich, friable topsoil derived from prime arable land and a consistent organic matter, which ensures consistent results.  A bulk bag is exceptional value containing up to 50% more product than 1 tonne of ordinary topsoil  covering up to 20m² at a depth of 50mm. Also, there is currently a  multi-buy discount on orders of 2 bags or more. Order Now!

So whether you’re completely new to raised bed gardening, or you’re experienced in this simple, easy and highly effective way of growing, there’ll be something for you here…