- The planting time
- The site
- The soil claims
- The planting distance
- sow vetch
- preference in the house
- Deploy
- The propagation
- Good and bad neighbors
They enchant with blossoms that resemble those of orchids and enchant with their wonderful scent: the sweet peas (lat. Vicia). In this article we have summarized how you have to plant the garden beauties so that they thrive magnificently.
Sweet peas are a fast growing addition to any garden
The planting time
Despite the fact that vetch can cope well with the last night frosts in spring, it is advisable to only sow the plants outdoors after the ice saints. Even sweet peas that have been raised indoors should only then be moved to the bed.
The site
Sweet peas love moderately sunny to partially shaded locations. The acrobatic climbers aim high, so give the sweet peas a place where they can climb undisturbed. A higher fence or trellis is ideal. A wind-protected place is also recommended so that the shoots are not kinked by stormy air.
The soil claims
Vicia prefers humus and slightly calcareous soils that should be well drained.
The planting distance
You can set sweet peas quite tightly. A planting distance of ten centimeters is sufficient.
sow vetch
In mild regions, you can sow the fragrant climbing plants directly outdoors from April. In order for the seed to sprout well, it is important that the vetches find enough nutrients. For this reason, enrich the soil with mature compost in advance.
preference in the house
From March you can prefer small vetch plants on the windowsill. Soak the seeds in lukewarm water overnight. Vicia is a dark germ, so the seeds are about five centimeters deep in potting soil. They germinate quickly in a place that is not too warm and can be moved outdoors from a height of ten centimeters.
Deploy
Sweet peas don't like to be pricked out, so be sure to transplant the small plants to the garden with the soil adhering to the root ball.
The propagation
If you don't remove everything that has faded from the plant in late summer, you can harvest many vetch seeds yourself for the next year.
Good and bad neighbors
Sweet peas take up a lot of nitrogen and therefore harmonize perfectly with all plants that heavily deplete the soil.
tips
Do not throw away the cut shoots of the dead vetch, but use them to pile up the plant. This encourages the formation of additional roots, allowing the plant to absorb more nutrients. As a result, the vetch forms more flowers.