2005 - The Year of the Sweet Pea

摘要

The National Garden Bureau celebrates 2005 as the Year of the Sweet Pea. It may be a little late this year for many of you to join this celebration by planting these charming annuals. In the south seed is sown in November or December for early springflowers, and in the midwest and northeast non-coastal areas, seed is sown indoors in February for transplants into the garden when the ground warms. Seed can be sown directly into prepared garden soil in April. However, you may find sweet peas sold as plants at some specialty nurseries or garden centers. Sweet peas need tender care when transplanted, so look for plants in individual earth-friendly pots or peat pots. Right before planting, snip off any flowers or flower buds. This is the time to get theroots well established so they can support the growing plant's needs. Plant into prepared garden, it's important to put in the support before digging the plant in to keep the precious roots out of harm's way. Some vines can grow 6-10 feet tall, but other sweet peas grow only 8 to 24 inches tall and need no support Wait a week to ten days before mulching. Be sure to keep the mulch at least an inch away from the stem of the plant until plants are well established.