The sweet pea is a flowering plant that is native to parts of the Mediterranean, but people all over the world grow it for its flowers.You can harvest sweet pea seeds from the plant to grow flowers.The many colors of sweet pea flowers make them a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements.If you want to plant more sweet peas, you can collect the seeds and harvest the peas.
Step 1: You should stop picking flowers to encourage seed production.
Flower production increases when people pick flowers from a plant.To harvest seeds, you need the sweet pea to stop producing flowers and focus on producing Pods.Don't pick the sweet pea flowers when the weather gets hotter.
Step 2: Allow the plant to grow.
The sweet peas will go to seed when you stop harvesting flowers.The flowers will die off and the sweet peas will be full of seeds when this happens.You will have to wait for the Pods to develop before you can pick them.
Step 3: The Pods should go brown.
As the seeds form inside of thepods, they will swell.Over the course of a couple of weeks, the Pod will turn from a green to a brown color.
Step 4: When the paper bag is brown, pick thepods.
Use gardening sheers to trim the flowers when they change from green to brown.To make them easier to dry, trim the Pods so there is some Stem left on them.Water can cause seeds to grow if the weather turns wet.If you want to save the seeds for next year, you don't want that.
Step 5: Thepods should be hung to dry.
Group them into groups of five to 10.Wrap string around the stems to tie the bunches together.The bunches can be hung from a clothesline or door handle.Attach the bunches to the clothesline or handle with hooks, string, or clothespins.Thepods should be left to dry for several days to a week.A garage or basement is a good place to dry thepods.
Step 6: Break open thepods.
When thepods have had a few days to dry and are starting to split open, remove them from where they're hanging.Put the bunches on a clean cloth and unwrap the elastics.Use a knife or nail to open thepods.
Step 7: The seeds should be removed.
Pick out the seeds with your fingers or a spoon after the pods have been broken.Transfer the seeds to a clean towel.If you want to compost the seeds, discard thepods or add them to your pile.
Step 8: If necessary, Dry the seeds for another day or two.
The seeds should be left on the towel for another few days in the same place where you dried them.You want to make sure that the seeds don't get spoiled.
Step 9: The seeds should be stored in a dry place.
Transfer the seeds to an envelope or a paper bag when they are completely dry.The envelope should be labeled with the type of seeds and the date.When you're ready to plant the seeds, keep them cool and dark.Sweet pea seeds will last between one and three years when dried and stored properly.
Step 10: The seeds can be planted late winter or early spring.
If they get an early start, sweet peas will do well.Get ready to plant the seeds when the soil can be worked in the late winter or early spring.In climates with mild winters, you can plant the seeds in October or November to have early spring flowers.
Step 11: Choose a sunny site with a cool soil.
Sweet peas need to have their roots kept cool.An ideal place for sweet peas is an area that gets full sun, but that has low-growing plants nearby to keep the roots shaded.
Step 12: The soil needs to be changed.
A well-draining soil that is slightly alkaline is the best type of soil for sweet peas.Before planting, make sure the garden bed has aged manure or compost.The soil should be kept to a depth of 2 feet.Sprinkle lime powder over the garden bed to make the soil more alkaline.
Step 13: Cut the seeds.
The seeds should be soaked in a cup of warm water for 24 hours before planting.The water should be drained and the seeds collected before planting.Before planting, make a small nick in each seed with a pair of nail clippers.It will increase the chances of success when you plant.
Step 14: Plant the seeds.
If you want to plant sweet peas in the garden, dig a long row.The trench is about 10 cm deep.Use the end of a pencil to poke holes in the soil inside the trench, and then drop a single seed into each hole.Press down on the seeds to cover the holes with soil.
Step 15: As the plants grow, you should water them frequently.
If you aren't getting much rain, be sure to give sweet peas plenty of water.When the soil starts to dry out, water the plants to keep them moist, but not soaking wet.