Do Hummingbirds Like Sweet Peas?

Vine or Bush

• Sweet peas come in two forms: vine and bush. If you are growing peas that need to twirl up a vine, then steady support is key. You can use a fence, trellis or combination of posts and wires. The vine-type sweet peas with the most beautiful, showy blooms are the spring-flowering and summer-flowering varieties. Bush-type sweet peas grow anywhere between 6 and 36 inches tall, making them a smart choice for flower beds. The most important element for successfully growing sweet peas is the temperature of the soil when they are planted.

When to Plant

• The soil should be between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit for sweet pea seeds to germinate. Pick a spot where they will get plenty of sunshine. In USDA zones 8 through 10 it is usually best to plant the seeds outside in late fall. Expect them to bloom in late winter and early spring. The soil should be a little alkaline, with a pH of 7.0 to 7.5. Scratch the seed coating and soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting. They only need to be planted 1 to 2 inches deep. Compost and manure will improve your chances for success.

Prevent Pests

• Regular fertilizer and water will keep your sweet peas healthy, but slugs and snails are a concern. Keep the area around your flower garden clear of places for slugs and snails to hide. Without shelter, they are more likely to die. Traps can help, but may not get rid of all of them. Consider planting snail-resistant plants in your garden to help protect the sweet peas. Some ornamental grasses and plants with stiff leaves are deterrents. Copper foil wrapped around the flower bed discourages them as well.

Annihilate Disease

• A common disease that afflicts the sweet pea is pea enation mosaic virus, which is usually spread by aphids. You can reduce the chances of your sweet peas catching this disease with aphid control. Often, aphids hide under leaves, so turn your sweet pea leaves over to periodically check for aphids. Lady beetles are a natural predator of the aphid, and you can buy them to add to your garden. If you do notice yellow leaves and stunted blooms, remove the diseased plant immediately to save the rest of your garden from infection.