It's time to let Sweet Pea seeds germinate

Sweet Peas should be planted by late March in most areas.



Sweet Pea "Mollie Rilstone" is still my favorite.

Sweet Peas thrive where summer evenings are cool.

At least 2 to 3 weeks before planting, start germinating seeds in a plastic bag.

 Place moistened paper towel and seeds into plastic sandwich bag.  Keep top open and place by window.

Rinse seeds in cold water every 3 to 4 days, each time place back into plastic bag.

  After  about 2 weeks your seeds will have sprouted and they are ready to be planted.  Sprouts are very sturdy and can be handled easily.

If your nights still register below freezing temperatures, plant each sprouted seed in pots. 

Plant them out after all frost is gone. 

Sweet Pea "Wiltshire Ripple"

Sweet Pea "Mollie Rilstone" is now available from most seed companies.

And so is Wiltshire Ripples.

 Blue and lavender sweet peas have the most intense perfume.  

Dill stalks keep the water fresh.

Sweet Peas are happy when arranged with other flowers. 

Do you have a favorite Sweet Pea?

Gina 

Good Grief, I just noticed.

My chickens are reaching through the fence. 

Aha, I caught you.  No use looking so innocent now. 

They are eating my new Sweet Pea Shoots.

No use denying it.  I've seen you do it. 

A summer without Sweet Peas? 

Now listen here girls, I'm watching you. 

 If it hairlips a hog, I will have Sweet Peas this year.  

One of every color in the rainbow. 

And one more thing. 

The Ronde de Nice seeds I saved from last year's crop did not look promising.

  

But now I see that I will have enough of these delectable little squash to share with the entire town. 

(They may show up on your doorstep).

Have a great remainder of the week, dear friends. 

Gina 

You still have time

To get your Sweet Peas started

We live in zone 3.  My seeds will be planted in the middle of March.

In warmer climates, Sweet Peas should be planted in February. 

At least 2 to 3 weeks before planting start germinating seeds in a plastic bag.

  Place moistened paper towel and seeds into plastic bag.  Keep top open and place by window.

Check seeds a few times and rinse them in cold water  (to prevent  mildew) and return to plastic bag.  After  about 2 weeks your seeds will have sprouted and they are ready to be planted.  Sprouts look very tender but they are sturdy and are easily handled. 

Besides collecting my own seeds I will be ordering these "Wiltshire Ripples" from Thompson and Morgan.

 

It is the "odoratus"  and "fragantissima" varieties which have the most heavenly scent.  
Among the most fragrant Sweet Peas are the blue varieties such as "Chatsworth",  

Sweet peas love to be paired with other garden flowers.  

and Fruit

"Molly Rilestone"  maybe my most favorite Sweet Pea.

Have a wonderful weekend my dear Friends.

Gina

Note:  All flowers and fruit from my 2015 garden

http://www.lavendercottagegardening.com/
http://anenglishgirlrambles2016.blogspot.com/

Summer Flowers

It's still officially Summer

My rose bushes give up their blooms reluctantly.

Sweet Peas for late Summer evenings. 

Morning Glories add just the right contrast.  

Wishing you a great week. 

Gina 

http://www.commonground-do.com/
http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/

We are lucky this year.

Even though the apricot blossoms froze early this Spring, we have, for the first time in many years,  peaches, beautiful peaches. 

We had no fruit last year.  Not even apples, pears or plums.  Everything froze. 

We had grapes.  But a horde of flies came by and in two days sucked every bit of juice out of every grape.  

This year is different.

Even my old roses made it through the cold winter and my Sweet Peas have never looked better.

And peaches, Early Albertas appeared on the trees as if by magic. 

We will have Asian Pears and Apples and Plums and hardy winter Pears.  

The kitchen garden is overflowing.

And we will have grapes.  They are almost ripe and I don't see many flies.

We captured them, by the millions, lured into a terrible smelling trap.  


Have a great remainder of the week. 

Gina 

http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/

Mon Bouquet du Jour

Sweet Peas

Antique Sweet Peas still have that heavenly perfume. 

Their long stems reaching for the sky. 

Almost black.

Still my favorite "Molly Rilestone". 

All along the chicken coop fence.

Happy Sunday to you dear friends. 

Gina 

http://www.lavendercottagegardening.com/

A gentle reminder

Sweet Peas

We live in zone 3.  My seeds will be planted in the middle of March.

In warmer climates, Sweet Peas should be planted in February. 

At least 2 to 3 weeks before planting start germinating seeds in a plastic bag.

  Place moistened paper towel and seeds into plastic bag.  Keep top open and place by window.

Besides collecting my own seeds I will be ordering these "Wiltshire Ripples" from Thompson and Morgan.

Check seeds a few times and rinse them in cold water  (to prevent  mildew) and return to plastic bag.  After  about 2 weeks your seeds will have sprouted and they are ready to be planted.  Sprouts look very tender but they are sturdy and are easily handled. 

It is the "odoratus"  and "fragantissima" varieties which have the most heavenly scent.  
Among the most fragrant Sweet Peas are the blue varieties such as "Chatsworth",  

"Molly Rilestone"  maybe my most favorite Sweet Pea.

Have a wonderful weekend my dear Friends.

Gina

Sweet Peas, How To

Soon it will be time to plant Sweet Peas

We live in zone 3.  My seeds will be planted in the middle of March.

In warmer climates Sweet Peas should be planted in February. 

At least 2 to 3 weeks before planting start germinating seeds in a plastic bag.

I gathered seeds from my garden a couple of weeks ago.  Not all seeds will germinate.  Place moistened paper towel and seeds into plastic bag.  Keep top open and place by window.

Besides collecting my own seeds I will be ordering from Thompson and Morgan.

Check seeds a few times and rinse them in cold water  (to prevent  mildew) and return to plastic bag.  After  about 2 weeks your seeds will have sprouted and they are ready to be planted.  Sprouts are very sturdy and can be handled easily.

With this method, taught to me by our good friend Steven, the brilliant Lawyer, I have almost a 100% success rate. 

Give it a try this year, my dear Blogging Friends.

Gina