Keep sweet peas blooming

These scented beauties need constant care, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

OUR homegrown sweet peas are often hit and miss, with the emphasis usually being on the ‘miss’ rather than ‘hit’.

But this year we have been successful, keeping grey mould at bay and fending off the attentions of the slugs now they are planted out. So how do we keep them flowering and healthy through the summer?

In dry weather, regular watering is a must, as they can be prone to powdery mildew caused by dry roots and poor ventilation. Give them a good soaking a couple of times a week.

Pinch out the tendrils used for climbing as they can divert the plants’ energies from producing flowers.

Top Tip
Let seedpods form at the end of the season so you can harvest and dry seeds for next year.