Sweet Peas Growing Wild
Every summer when we head to northern Michigan, I remember too late that I wanted to try growing sweet peas at home.
They grow crazy wild along Little Traverse Bay and look so beautiful!
And they smell so great, too.
This year I finally got it together in time to plant these beauties in my side yard.
I read up a bit and discovered its best to buy seedlings or to start them indoors.
I’ll be honest…
I’ve never started anything indoors before.
But I’m always up for a new adventure!
Heading to the Garden Center
About a month ago, I headed to my local Lowe’s store to explore my options.
I found the Jiffy Greenhouse…
It sounded too easy to be true…
Add some water, fluff things up, plant and wait for it to grow.
But it was inexpensive so I decided to give it a whirl.
Easy Peasy Steps for Starting Sweet Peas Indoors
You start by adding warm water to the peat pellets so they expand.
It takes about 1/2 cup of water for each pellet.
Then pull back the netting on the top of each pellet.
Fluff the dirt and level it off.
Next add two or three seeds to each pellet and lightly cover the seeds with the peat/dirt.
Put the dome on the tray and place it in a warm spot in the house away from direct sunlight.
Once the first seeds sprout, prop the dome open and let your flowers continue to grow.
After all of the pods have sprouted, take the lid all the way off and place the tray in a sunny location.
Then you wait for leaves to appear on each seedling.
Once they do, cut back all but the strongest seedling in each pellet.
Getting the Seedlings Ready to Transplant Outside
The next step is to begin to harden the plants.
You do that by exposing them to shade first and then gradually to full sunlight.
Remember to bring them in at night while they are pumping up their strength…
Once they are strong, transplant them directly in to the ground inside the pellet.
Which is what I will be doing this week if it finally stops snowing…
Seriously. Its that easy!
XO
Shelley
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