Is it too late to plant sweet peas?
Roger Asked
Is it too late to plant sweet peas?
The Gardener’s Answer
I assume you are referring to the edible sweet peas and not the flowering vine. Edible peas are a cool-season crop that are best planted in the early spring and again in the late summer. It is too late for the spring planting, but you’re not out of luck for this growing season. The next opportunity to sow seeds will be in early August.
Choose a space in the garden that will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight and has well-drained soil. Follow the planting instructions on the seed packet you choose. Have staking available and a water source nearby. These seedlings will likely need supplemental moisture to get going and into the fall as they start producing.
Peas can tolerate a light frost and should be harvested as soon as the pods are filled. If you have not had your soil tested recently, this is always a good idea and it can be done through your county Extension office. For detailed information on growing vegetables in Kentucky, click here. This publication is available from our Cooperative Extension Service.
