Veggie Bites – Sweet Peas

The weather is not delightful. The warmth we are experiencing is fleeting. Our temperatures
should be approaching normal by the end of the month. The worry that I have is that there is
not nearly enough snow. We need snow. A lot of snow. The snow is the best protection for your
roses and perennials. As the temperature goes down, these plants need more protection.
If it snows within the next week or two, be sure to shovel the snow up and around those
perennials. Be very careful of any snow that might have road salt or chemicals. Mounded snow
will help to insulate as the temperatures go down.

If it does not snow, other measures should be taken. Get some boughs, branches, or old
Christmas trees, and start to barricade your perennials. Burlap or a cloth with a loose weave
can also be used. Hopefully, some snow will cover the area soon.

I will have my cold protection in place by the end of next week.

On a happy note, I have sent in most of my seed orders. I didn’t get a lot this year as I kept
discovering boxes of saved seeds and seeds from the last year or two. So far, most of the seeds
that I have in various boxes and bags seem viable, and I will also have some to share at the
annual SGHS plant sale in late May.

Now that I have most of the seeds that I want, it is time to finalize my garden plans. I need to
find places for all of the new vegetables that I want to grow. I need to decide what areas to
expand, and where I can put new pots. On top of everything, I have set aside a small area to
turn into a meadow! For the next month I will refine these plans, gradually introducing reality
into the mix. I have a limited area for sunshine crops, and of course, my tomatoes take priority.
Another plan I need to make is what seeds will be started inside. Very few vegetables actually
need to be started early; most can be direct sown. If you are not sure what to do with your
seeds, the seed package should have all your information.

Sweet Peas

If you read your seed package, it will indicate if the seeds are perennial, annual, or biennial. In
this case it is an annual. It will tell you where to sow the seeds (sunny site, good drainage) and
when (April to early May in cool soil). It will list extra tips (soak seeds overnight before sowing).
It will tell you how to sow the seeds (1/2 inch deep, 2 inches apart). It gives an approximation of
germination (14 days).

Sow Outdoors April – May
Bloom Time July-September
Locate- Full Sun
Height – 24 inches

Reading your seed packages will give you a great deal of information, and you will notice that a
lot of the packages suggest the seeds be planted directly into the garden. When it comes to
tomatoes, it is my personal preference to start seeds indoors. I have planted them directly and
it does work, but I like to have my fresh tomatoes as soon as possible.

The too-many cats have been lounging by the living room windows studying the birds and
squirrels that are visiting the feeders. If I am lucky, they will soon be watching the snowflakes
and lazing by the wood stove. Judith. All Veggie Bites are
available at the SGHS website: (https://sites.google.com/site/sghortsoc/)