Planting Seeds Early?

[Smowball]

I've just bought some sweet-pea and some nasturtium seeds and on pack it says to plant April/May. It because it's so mild do you think I could get away with planting them now or should I wait?

[roopower]

I'm not much of a gardener but I don't think it's going to stay mild. Perhaps it would be ok if you have a greenhouse? I'm sure a real gardening fan will answer for you.

[rsvp]

Personally I wouldn't - you won't gain much even if it remains as Springlike as it has been lately (unlikely imo) and you could lose the lot - better wait a couple of weeks - it gives you recommended sowing times for a reason. Hope you have a brilliant crop when they do get going - last year we were still picking very late summer as we were giving sweet peas for a wedding - believe me we picked twice a day from a big patch to keep them going and by the end I had seen enough of sweet peas!

[Smowball]

I've never tried to grow sweet peas but I've still got a huge container with a wigwam of canes in it from my runner beans and thought that would be perfect for them.

[rsvp]

Snowball - take what ever advice you decide to do re your seeds - just remember, the more you pick sweet peas the more you have - honestly, we didn't miss a day and if I never see another sweet pea then I am a happy bunny. They will keep going for the season if you pick, pick daily.

[Tilly2]

The trouble with sweet peas in the house is that you also get the little black beetles that live in them.

[Tilly2]

These things

http://image2.gardenersworld.com/image.jpg?tag=68239d2a-39db-4638-8e1a-b1bc0b8b05c8&width=1024&quality=80

Pollen beetles

[Tilly2]

I'll give it a try next time someone gives me a bunch of sweet peas, Divebuddy. Thank you.

[Smowball]

Aww thanks for all the advice guys. I guess I'm desperate to grow sweet peas as they were my mums favourite flowers and she died 8 yrs ago aged just 59 so I want to grow them for her. Daft I know x

[rsvp]

of course it's not daft.....my Mum's favourite was honeysuckle and always think of her when I see it - you grw fields of sweet peas snowball and enjoy them

[Smowball]

Xxx

[Tilly2]

My Mum's favourites were Lily Of The Valley. They do spread! I have them all over the garden because of her. It's lovely.

[237SJ]

My Mum's favourite was also Lily of the Valley. She had them in her wedding bouquet and when she died, I tried to replicate her wedding bouquet for her coffin spray. The florist said that a bunch of Lily of the valley (out of season) would cost near on £100.

[mazie]

And one of the most poisonous plants in the garden Tilly

[Tilly2]

Mazie, I had no idea that LotV was so toxic. Fortunately, none of my dogs have never shown any interest in eating the plants.

[julia-mag]

I have white chinese peony and lily of the valley growing in my garden (from my mothers) and I have tried 3/4 times to clear lily of the valley but it is still there in abundance, I took 2 carrier bags full to work and they all took some home! Not a lot you can do regards flowers in bloom at the moment because they are mainly bulbs that were put in months ago, but grape hyacinths bloom this time of year and they do not need any attention, and multiply like mad! Just plant them and forget them forever and each year up they pop. Sweet peas are lovely but the slugs like mine too much so I plant into empty plastic bottles (with tops cut off) and when ground is ready just cut off bottom of bottle and hey presto into ground, no interference with roots. Good Luck.

[jourdain2]

Julia-mag - what a brilliant idea! Thanks v. much. :)