SOW SWEET PEAS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 79, 14 March 1936, Page 15

SOW SWEET PEAS

The autumn sowing of sweet peas is a matter of vital importance to the exhibitors and others who desire firstclass results. It invariably results in the choicest flowers being obtained in good time. Where there is an ideal position and soil a bed that is fairly sheltered during the winter and moderately light and well drained, the seeds may be sown out of doors. Where outdoor sowing is to be done not a moment should be lost in getting the ground ready. This involves deeply trenching for each row and liberal manurings. The soil having had time to settle, the seeds may be carefully placed in position. A double row of seeds at one inch depth and nine inches apart gives good results. Before sowing the seeds should be damped with water and then rolled in red lead to make them distasteful to birds. . Slugs may be kept at bay with a dusting of soot. It is advisable to sow a few extra seeds at the end of each row. to cover losses, these spare plants being moved to fill blanks in the early spring.