Sweet Pea

Sweet Pea

Lathyrus odoratus

Sow outdoors 5 weeks before your last spring frost. Space plants 6 in (15 cm) apart.

Photo: Epibase, CC BY 2.5 · source

When to plant

Timed from your frost dates, so it holds wherever you garden. Give yours and every step below becomes a date.

See the dates for your garden

Enter your average last spring frost and first fall frost. Every timing on this site turns into a calendar date. Not sure of yours? Your local extension service or a search for “last frost date” and your town will tell you; the app finds them from your location.

Last spring frost
First fall frost

Saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Optimal Direct Sow (Spring Bloom)

From seedRecommended
  1. Sow outdoors5 weeks before your last spring frost
  2. First harvestabout 82 days after sowing

Optimal Direct Sow (Fall Bloom)

From seed
  1. Sow outdoorsabout 15 weeks before your first fall frost
  2. First harvestabout 82 days after sowing

Optimal Indoor Start

From seed
  1. Start indoors8 weeks before your last spring frost
  2. Begin hardening off4 weeks before your last spring frost
  3. Plant out3 weeks before your last spring frost
  4. First harvestabout 82 days after sowing

Growing sweet pea

Spacing in the row
6 in (15 cm)
Between rows
24 in (61 cm)
Planting depth
0.5-1 inch
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, rich in organic matter
Germination
7-14 days at 55-65°F
Harvest season
Late Spring to Mid-Summer (Spring planting), Late Fall (Fall planting)
Mature height
6-8 feet
Support
Trellis, Netting
Life cycle
Annual

Soak seeds 24 hours or nick hard coat. Sow 0.5-1 inch deep. Protect young plants from pests.

Watering. Maintain consistent moisture, especially during germination and flowering. Avoid waterlogging.

Neighbours

The companion chart →

Grows well beside

Feeding

Seedlings
Light liquid feed once true leaves develop.
Growing
Balanced liquid or granular fertilizer monthly.
Flowering and fruiting
A balanced fertilizer, avoiding excess nitrogen, promotes continuous bloom.
How often
Every 4 weeks during active growth and flowering.
Note
Excess nitrogen promotes foliage over flowers. Deadhead regularly to encourage more blooms.

Your sweet pea, planned to the day.

Canopy turns these timings into dates from your own frost data, places every plant at its spacing on your garden map, and tracks it all the way to harvest.

Add sweet pea to your planting calendar →

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