Sweet Pea Fairy Lights

Sow Indoors / Sow Outdoors: Jan to Apr, Sep to Oct
Flowering: May to Aug

Sowing Indoors
Place the seeds on moist kitchen roll in an airtight container and leave in a warm room, then sow as soon as they begin to swell or sprout. Alternatively, soak overnight, but sow immediately afterwards. Sow singly in rootrainers or 8 cm pots, 1 cm deep. Water after sowing, but not again until seedlings have emerged and keep around 15 C until germinated.

Growing On / Planting Out
Pinch out tips once seedlings are 7-10 cm tall to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Keep in a cool, bright position. Keep autumn-sown seedlings in a cold frame, greenhouse, or under a cloche. Plant out 20 cm apart from late March onwards when the weather is getting milder, in a sunny position. Avoid disturbing the roots.

Sowing Outdoors
Sow seeds in pre-watered, compost-enriched soil 2 cm deep, around 7 cm apart, once the soil is starting to warm in spring. Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge and thin to about 20 cm apart once they are more developed.

Aftercare
Support with canes, netting, or trellis to about 1.8 m. Tie stems into the support every week or so as the plants grow. Also ideal for large pots. Feed and water regularly, and pick flowers often to ensure continuous supply.