Lesson 3
Supports and feeding
Sweet peas need to climb — they will fall flat without a 1.8 m support. Hazel pea sticks, jute netting on a frame, or a wigwam of bamboo canes all work. The support goes in BEFORE the plants — once they're flowering, it's too late.
In containers, use 1 plant per 20 cm-wide pot tied to a tall obelisk. In ground, a wigwam of 1.8 m canes spaced 25 cm apart works perfectly.
Feed every 7–10 days with a high-potash (tomato) feed once flower buds appear. Sweet peas in flower drink heavily — water DEEPLY every other day in summer.
Train the tendrils through the support, don't let them grab each other. Tendrils that lock onto another plant make a tangled mat where flowers can't be seen. Spend 5 minutes every Sunday clipping wandering tendrils.