Sweet Peas
By Andrea Peck
"The odor of the sweet pea is so offensive to flies that it will drive them out of a sick-room, though not in the slightest degree disagreeable to the patient."
–A tip from The 1899 Old Farmer's Almanac
I am only ¼ Italian, but I sure love sweet peas. Gorgeous yet humble, these lovely plants originated in Sicily and have been cultivated since the 17th century. It's not surprising since they pack a wallop of pretty and perfumy all at once. The fact that they climb up to eye level doesn't hurt either.
The weird thing is that I've always associated them with southern gardens. I envision drawling, sprawling gardens where vining plants spread dense and wild. I picture bare feet, warm weather that threatens actual rain and breezy scents that lead you down adventurous paths that go on forever.
Childish daydreams, I suppose.
So, of course, I've been trying to grow these homespun beauties for a while and you know, maybe one or two straggly plants would poke up each year and then fall all over the place. I'd get a flower and begin the internal debate of whether it should be plucked and brought inside or if that would jinx the whole endeavor. Not to be greedy or anything, but we all know that when it comes to sweet peas you need a whole lot. That's just the way they are – better in mass.
I think last year I had a few more flowers, but I'd all but given up on the possibility of an actual show. Maybe that is the secret, because this year I have a whole fence load of flowers. I've watched them slowly make their appearance from little sprouts that keep sprouting and I did not hold my breath because that may have been hazardous to my health, but they are now bellybutton high and flowering. It's shocking. But, the truth is, I do remember leaving the plants last year. I let them sit and sit until the foliage turned yellow and crispy and their seed pods fell to the ground. I ignored them and it worked. That huge dose of seeds took hold and grew naturally.
The thing I learned from this is to let nature take its course. Rather than harvest the seeds, let them fall where they are. Don't worry that the plants get old and crusty; this is an important part of the process.
Now I let all of my plants go to seed if possible and I find that whether they are edible or not, they are very pretty. My cabbage plants have little butter-colored flowers and the arugula have delicate white flowers. Everything sways in the breeze against the backdrop of the cheerful sweet peas. Finally!
Growing Sweet Peas:
To grow sweet peas, those in the know suggest well-composted soil that is a bit on the alkaline side. These flowers prefer cool soil, but warm sun (A tricky combination if you ask me). Sweet peas are annuals, so remember they will not grow all year, but if you let them go to seed, you will likely be rewarded. They prefer cooler temperatures. Loamy soil is best because it retains moisture. Mulch will help, but I think, based on what I've read, that if you live in a very hot area, you may want to choose the coolest location of your garden. Snails and slugs can be problematic so go hunting for those when you are bored at night or set your hens out there before planting. Some suggest soaking the seeds for 24 hours and then nicking the seed prior to planting. Powdery mildew can also rear its ugly head – to avoid this, try planting in an area that has good air circulation. Don't forget to give your sweet peas somewhere to grow. They will quickly curl their tendrils around most vertical surfaces. For that, you can thank them. Cutting the flowers encourages more blooms, so don't hold back.