STEP BY STEP

Sow sweet peas

Sweet peas sown now make robust plants that flower earlier than those sown outside in March. Choose a deep pot for good root growth and after germination, keep the plants cool so that roots develop before the shoots really take off. Pinch out the top of the seedlings to three to four leaves to encourage the formation of several strong flowering stems per plant. For the best results plant out into rich, fertile soil.

1 SPEED up germination by softening the hard seed coat on warm, moist kitchen paper or by chipping a tiny hole with a sharp knife to allow water absorption

2 FILL pots with multi-purpose or bedding plant compost and sow 2 or 3 seeds per pot. Cover with a 2cm layer of compost, firm the surface then water well.

3 WRITE the name and date on the upper part of a label then put it in the edge of the pot. Place the pot in a cold greenhouse or frame to germinate.