planting sweet peas outside

Hi - newbie to the board - I'm after some advice. I have quite a lot of sweet peas which I have successfully grown from seed inside, and are now in my utility room, waiting to go outside. I have consulted books about hardening off before they go outside, but so far they havn't been able to get outside at all what with the weather and us being away. As we are now at the end of May, can I take the plunge and just plant them outside, or do I still need to acclimatise them? Its either been too wet or windy to have them outside at all so far, and I am eager to get them outside so they can hopefully spread their wings (so to speak!)

 

Down here in the soft south, I would just plant them out as its getting quite late. In Cumbria, it may be different. You could play safe and leave them outside in their pots or trays and bring them in if a late frost is forecast. just a few days will harden them up and you should be ok to plant out over the weekend

 

As it has been unseasonally cold, for the next few days, put them out during the day, the bring them in overnight. If it is fairly warm overnight up there, then you could chance it.

 

I got mine out yesterday.

 

I've had some in for a couple of weeks but they were well hardened off first in a cold frame then in a sheltered corner. I also laid a couple of long sheets of glass against their trellis and the wall (to act as an open cloche) over the first weekend.

They were grown in 3" peat pots this year so minimal root disturbance. Roots were great and showing through the bottom and sides. Last year SPs were bought from a garden centre. About a dozen were crammed into small pots and though the height was about the same the roots were pathetic and they didn't perform well at all.

So far I'm pleased with the results and though a more expensive way of doing I have some nice little plants that should take most anything the weather can throw at them.

 

Welcome katiejane from Cumbria.

 

Im going to try and get mine out this weekend - I grew them in loo rolls this year - do I need to remove all the cardboard first before planting them do you think?
Hi Katiejane

 

I never do. It will soon rot down.

 

these are mine
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000157

 

Mine are waiting to be planted. I gave some to neighbout and she put hers in, but it's been so cold mine are the same height!

 

planted mine out on my balcony a couple of weeks ago was worried about the winds we have had up here in tyne & wear they are fine doing well, my friend lives 15mins from me she has a garden and cannot grow sweet peas, this is my second year with them, last year got some great flowers to display indoors and the smell just wonderful.

 

I pinched one that was growing behind a garden fence - Ive no idea if it's wild though I suspect it isn't, it has rooted but has been eaten a fair bit and is trying it's best to thrive. I hope it grows cos I really love sweet peas. We have some in the hanging basket too, but we forgot to water them and have lost some. Yes I'm ashamed :(

 

hope your dear sweet pea survives the ones in your hanging baskets are they the new ones that are out especially for hanging baskets cause we cant get them here in the north east either the garden centres have sold out or waiting for them to arrive, the secret is iff you can remember water them every other day good luck

 

oh, and i forgot welcome katiejane just new member myself, enjoy.