Monty Don is urging gardeners to sow sweet peas this October to secure spectacular growth next summer. The celebrated horticulturalist says the month is the optimum time to get the seeds of Lathyrus odoratus into the ground.
Sowing sweet peas this month, Don suggests, will result in considerably larger plants with a far stronger root system. Getting them in the soil early should encourage flowering the following spring sooner than usual, with blooms lasting significantly longer as a result.
Monty Don's Sowing Technique
There is a minor drawback to consider, as some plants will need storing while others will require protection during winter should conditions take a turn for the worse. This is why Don recommends sowing them now, followed by a second batch in February to minimise any risk of weather-related damage.
He outlined his preferred technique for sowing seeds using a three-inch pot, though he acknowledges that root-trainers are equally effective. He advises using good quality potting compost rather than seed compost, before placing them on a windowsill or in a greenhouse to germinate until the first leaves begin to appear.
Overwintering and Planting Out
At this stage, they should be positioned outdoors in a cold frame or sheltered location to protect them from severe frosts, being waterlogged, or even destroyed by mice. Come April, they ought to be ready for planting out, and by summertime, they'll be flowering magnificently.
The Royal Horticultural Society recommends that when the moment arrives to plant them, you should look for a sunny position with adequate room for the plant to either climb or bush out — depending on its growth habit.
Other October Gardening Jobs
Beyond sweet peas, Don proposes several other beneficial practices to incorporate into your gardening schedule this October. He recommends that during October you should start digging over any ground you might wish to replant this winter or utilise for the spring to come.
By tackling it now, the soil is still likely to be dry and there's considerably more daylight available before the clocks go back again, making gardening somewhat more challenging. It can nevertheless feel like quite an overwhelming job, so it might be something you approach gradually, dedicating 30 minutes weekly or 15-minute sessions bit by bit. Don suggests leaving the earth in large clods for the weather to naturally break down over the winter months.
While you're doing this, in October you should trim back and compost all decaying foliage that exists around your garden borders, but make certain to leave some structure for winter.
