Too late to sow sweet peas?

[redser]

Says it all really It went on the long finger. If I sow now (maybe chit them to speed things along) when might I expect to get flowers?
Thanks a lot

[Dorothy rouse]

I don't think you're too late, I have some on the plot, but they have struggled, so have some more just germinating, and am going to stick the few I have left In packet in ground as well. Expect them to start flowering around July

[Martin H]

I've never sown this late but they will grow quickly at this time of year. I would expect flowers by the end of July.

[redser]

That's great, thanks to both of you.

[AllInContainers]

I sowed peas much later than this last year, probably late May actually, and actually did quite well. It was actually a second sowing after my first lot either failed or got scavanged by critters. I didn't have many in as I was only playing at it to see what would happen (maybe three peas sprouted ) but they really surprised me how well they did

[Kristen]

My garden centre has small (4" ??) pots of Sweetpea seedlings. There are about 10 to a pot, and they cost about the same as a packet of seed. I've bought them in previous years, when I had not sown enough, and - sad to say?! - I counted the number of seedlings in each pot and bought the ones with the most!!

That would "gain" you about 4 - 6 weeks over sowing afresh now. (I don't think it is to late to sow, but they will flower later than ones sowed earlier)

[andy_j]

I agree with kristen unless you want to grow specific varieties, a pot of germinated sweet pea seedlings are about £1.50 from most garden centres and you get a good 20-25 seedlings in there....actually cheaper than a packet and you're guaranteed germination

[redser]

Thanks again folks, I'll look put at the garden centres so.

[redser]

On a side-note ... do they scramble well? There is a railway embankment that slopes down to the bottom of our back garden. It is covered in brambles during summer. I had an idea to plant some scrambling plants at the bottom that could climb up the bramble canes and give a nice show. Will be trying nasturtiums but would sweet peas climb without you having to train them? There is a high fence in front of the embankment so I cant be climbing over it too often

[Kristen]

Brambles are greedy feeders ... you might struggle to get enough vigour from other plants planted with them. But Sweetpeas will scramble so you might be in luck.

Probably others that you can try - there are some vigorous Annual climbers out there which will do 6'-12' in a season - such as Cup and Saucer (Cobaea scandens), Black Eyed Susan (Thunbergia), Chilean glory flower (Eccremocarpus scaber)

Perhaps Morning Glory too, although I think they might be a bit more feeble about the competition. Dunno about "vigour" of I. lobata though??

[Knight of Albion]

Sowed some 'Robert Uvedale' just last week.

Will give you an extended season of sweet pea harvesting. Has to be good!

[redser]

Brambles are greedy feeders ... you might struggle to get enough vigour from other plants planted with them. But Sweetpeas will scramble so you might be in luck.

Probably others that you can try - there are some vigorous Annual climbers out there which will do 6'-12' in a season - such as Cup and Saucer (Cobaea scandens), Black Eyed Susan (Thunbergia), Chilean glory flower (Eccremocarpus scaber)

Perhaps Morning Glory too, although I think they might be a bit more feeble about the competition. Dunno about "vigour" of I. lobata though??

Thanks for the suggestions Kristen.

Sowed some 'Robert Uvedale' just last week.

Will give you an extended season of sweet pea harvesting. Has to be good!

Thanks, that's good to know.

[Martin H]

Sweet peas will scramble happily, but I find it makes it hard to pick the faded flowers off so they soon stop flowering, run to seed and expire.

[redser]

Ah I see. So maybe not a great option for this purpose. Still, even a few weeks of flowers would be nice and if they self seed well it might be worth a bash.
Thanks