FILL UP BORDERS WITH SWEET PEAS
NIGEL COLBORN’S ESSENTIAL JOBS FOR YOUR GARDEN THIS WEEK
Young sweet peas should be planted outside as soon as possible. They prefer fertile soil that is in good condition and full sun. If growing in rows for cutting, set your young plants 30cm apart.
For cordon growing, allow one stem to develop on each plant. You’ll need 3m canes for tying in the stems as they develop. Metal sweet pea rings are best for that and are reusable.
As individual stems grow, remove all side shoots and pinch off the tendrils as they appear.
The leaves will grow large and the flowers will appear at the base of each leaf stalk.
Training plants in this way results in long-stemmed, topquality blooms.
If you prefer to grow yours more naturally, allow multiple stems to scramble over pea sticks or up trellis or widegauge netting.
To ensure a long flowering season, never allow seed pods to develop.
gather newly opened flowers for the house or dead-head all fading flowers before they begin to seed.
LET GROUND DRY OUT
AFTer the cold, wet weather, most of us are behind with spring work. But don’t be in a hurry. The ground is still soaked in many regions and easily damaged.
Keep off wet land until the water has drained away and the surface has become dry.
even then, take great care not to compact the soil by walking over it too soon.
If there are puddles on your lawn, check your drainage. A fork pushed into soggy spots will help with this.