Last year, I started sweetpeas and snow peas indoors in February. I also direct sowed both in February. Both grew, but I had hoped for early snow pea crops and had to till them in to plant tomatoes in May. They were meant to be both productive and soil improving, I didn't have room to keep them going and the tomatoes were my priority. The sweetpeas did pretty well. I think the transplants did better than the direct sowing. I was wondering about experiences on Gardenstew. I read it's better to sow in Mid Nov in my maritime zone 8a Pacific NW climate. I have a place where they can remain, this time. But keeping vermin and weeds out might be challenging. Do they really bloom and bear earlier if planted in November? I realize they are different genus and species, but they seem to require similar treatment?
It works for the Lathyrus, but I am not sure about the snow peas. In fact many people believe that it is the preferred way to do the Lathyrus. I wish I had the room to do them again.
November or February to April in my zone. They do fruit earlier if planted in November. One can also plant in July to august for an autumn harvest
Thanks for the experience and wisdom! I planted snowpeas today. It will be interesting to see how the do. I places a chickenwire screen over the seeds, to reduce bird and mouse activity. . I can plant some more in February. I have so Lathyrus seeds too. I might plant some tomorrow, weather and muscles permitting. Snowpeas are a favorite for me. This year was my first attempt at Lathyrus. I grew some on a trellis and some on a fence. I think next year, I'll make a bamboo or willow pole teepee for them. Maybe for tomatoes, too. I have a willow hedge in need of pruning, and a bamboo "forest" in the chicken yard.
I am in 8a continental and the only real problem is the cost of reusing the land because it has to be artificially fed even more after a spring and late summer crop. Normally I put my fall leaves into the summer garden so they can compost across our wet season. The one thing I notice that is most significant was sun hours in combo with the temp ranges slowing things down by at least 30 days if not more. It is good that you went in now. Be patient and play the root support game. The buildup of potential energy that results in the torrent of late winter or early spring growth will be controlled by the plant and it is shocking when they decide it is time to grow crazy. It's not really predictable you know? And the time to start changes every year anyway. Those weeks where you are being conservative the plant has already cut loose, maybe underground, but you know what results from that activity.
Daniel, although I don't grow sweet peas myself, I watch Monty Don on Gardener's World and he always does them in October. He says that he gets stronger and bigger flowers in the spring. He has a huge amount of greenhouse space for his autumn showings and cuttings.
Those mighty english oaks never get root respect. My neighbor lost 2 over the last couple of decades. 60" plus trunk diameter, and if it is true about the root meristem being the mirror of the visible meristem then -Oh-My-Word. Yet he got old. He removed horses from that pasture, and both trees died. I am invited to his wife's 90th birthday party and Charlie predates her by some years. He has 70+ years on the property as his home. Its a downhill slope to the trees and yeah I think those 2 horses made a difference with the poo. Good well fed roots make a difference. This neighborhood was an operational farm from roughly 200 years ago, and Charlie lives in the original (upgraded) farmhouse.
October is passed for me but I will try planting some snowpeas soon. I couldn't get into the garden today.
