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My sweet peas have started to germinate only 1week since sowing! 
I was expecting to have to wait another couple of weeks to see much sign of life, but I think it's the heated propagator that's made the difference!
I've seen a few posts from people who have been struggling to get them to germinate, so I though I would just let you know what I've done to get success this year.
As always, I soaked the seeds in water overnight before sowing. I also brought pots of compost inside the day before to warm up a bit. The next day I drained the seeds, watered the compost and then sowed the seeds at the recommended half inch depth. This year I got a simple (I. E. A non thermostatically controlled )heated prop for Christmas, so I put the pots in there. The prop is in the conservatory and over the last week the temp inside the prop has varied between about 15 and 21 degrees. About 70%of the seeds have germinated within a week!
As they germinate (I've sown two to a pot), I'll take them out of the prop to grow on in the cool conservatory until they're looking strong enough to go outside, after hardening off.
Oh, btw I used peat free Mpc and a fresh packet of seeds.
Does anyone else have any fail safe tips for sweet peas?
I was expecting to have to wait another couple of weeks to see much sign of life, but I think it's the heated propagator that's made the difference! I've seen a few posts from people who have been struggling to get them to germinate, so I though I would just let you know what I've done to get success this year.
As always, I soaked the seeds in water overnight before sowing. I also brought pots of compost inside the day before to warm up a bit. The next day I drained the seeds, watered the compost and then sowed the seeds at the recommended half inch depth. This year I got a simple (I. E. A non thermostatically controlled )heated prop for Christmas, so I put the pots in there. The prop is in the conservatory and over the last week the temp inside the prop has varied between about 15 and 21 degrees. About 70%of the seeds have germinated within a week!
As they germinate (I've sown two to a pot), I'll take them out of the prop to grow on in the cool conservatory until they're looking strong enough to go outside, after hardening off.
Oh, btw I used peat free Mpc and a fresh packet of seeds.
Does anyone else have any fail safe tips for sweet peas?
or I'd be a good faffer!
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