How to start sweet pea seeds in soil blocks

[@KaylaNeece]

I came across your page the other day and IM OBSESSED. You’re different than all the other flower farmers I follow. You explain things on a level that beginner gardeners can relate to and I love how raw & authentic your content is. I hope you continue to make more videos so I can keep learning from you!

[@Blossomandbranch]

I just wanted to say thank you so much for your kind comment. Not everyone on the internet is pleasant so your comment made me so happy.

[@davidthedeaf]

Yeah, it is because of being many generation farmer raised I think. City folks who have $$ and want to be “seen” go to garden as newbies but want to show off their new lingo, so talk over heads on purpose to look educated. She doesn’t have to do that because she actually knows from dirt root experience. 😂

[@JP-zn9dw]

I just wanted to mention that utube does not give the date of video anymore. They just say "2 years ago" - this is ok for knitting videos but not helpful for gardening. Love your channel. Very informative and real! Thank you.

[@sirisiri3945]

Click on more next to "2 years" and u can see the upload date

[@franceswatts4001]

@@sirisiri3945I did not know that! Wow! Thank you!

[@maryelizabethcalais9180]

enjoy thTA YOU INCLUDE YOUR children in your gardening. I'm 80 this year and miss my. several Babies and Grans. Please add your peeps in more of your videos. I'm hopeful to live near my chillies soon and teach them how to Garden, especially regenerative gardening.

[@diieold]

SO glad I KZbin’d this. I put them in the bright warm greenhouse to germinate, and something was telling me that wasn’t right

[@bloomsbyamelie]

I had no idea sweet peas would survive below freezing weather. I'm in Zone 5b (Eastern Ontario-Canada). I am definitely going to try your method this year. Last year I grew about 50 plants- going to increase to 100- just because they bring me so much joy- I have them in vases all over the house.

[@zahre_mar]

For our province it's recommended to start sweet peas in late August - early September in unheated hoop tunnels. Apparently, they grow a lot stronger roots and bigger flowers that way. I've never had workable soil by March, so my sweet peas end up going in late, with a small harvest in July and a bigger one in October.

[@bloomsbyamelie]

@@zahre_mar I planted mine out in late April last year and had a profusion of blooms by June but if I can start them even earlier -I will try! I’m trying so many new methods this year-pushing the boundaries!

[@zahre_mar]

@@bloomsbyamelie sorry, one more question. When you plant them out in April, are you planting in a hoop house or directly in soil? I just pressed 96 soil blocks and about to soak some seeds. Farmers in my area are already sowing 😱 Of all wild attempts to grow sweet peas, the easiest was the Victorian method: I stuck old dogwood branches alongside a fence and direct-seeded sweet peas for a shrub look.

[@bloomsbyamelie]

@@zahre_mar I do not have a hoop house-I grow along trellises.

[@bloomsbyamelie]

Sweet peas have to be in my top 10 of favourite flowers on the farm!

[@TheFragrantBunch]

I’m growing sweet peas for the first time this year and this was so helpful! You’ve gained a new subscriber 😊

[@ukrambleon]

You’re an excellent teacher. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@patriciacole8773]

Last year as I walked down the hill to the garden I could smell perfume in the air 75’ away!

[@marcusseidel6824]

Love sweet peas ...high maintenance ...but huge reward ...scent ...colour ....the more you pick the more you get ... there are also verieties that are not that high but bushier

[@dreambigcarryon2235]

Wow, this is great. I had no idea you could grow them that cold. Thank you!

[@Centerpiecegardens]

So exciting! We just started germinating our sweet peas!

[@raqueliatheimpatientgardne8196]

I know this is a silly statement and all I have to do is google it but I had no idea till about 1 minute into your video that they made such beautiful flowers! I'm in Florida and now I know why I don't have much luck with them but I have just discovered soil blocking, a little behind the curve, so to speak but thanks for inspiration from one gardner to another.

[@OneAtomicJenga]

I'm so glad I found your channel. Every time I start something new/have questions about what I'm doing I check your channel first! Hoping to have a modest number of sweet peas from following your advice.

[@DalhiaSun]

I love your honesty. You give the absolutely best advice! I’ve tried to grow them in the past…I never got flowers. They grew into July and August but never got flowers. I honestly don’t know if I’ll try them again.Than you so very much for such great details.

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thank you so much!!

[@gabriellabenson527]

Wow wow wow. This was super helpful I was doing my first batch all wrong so I’m gonna scrap the am plant new ones! This is my first season growing on my own and the farm I previously worked at didn’t grow them so I was going in blind! Thanks for this short and simple video on how to start them and the next steps before planting them out!!

[@jimkingsland1645]

So glad I found your channel! I’m a big fan of pre-sprouting for winter sowing of hardy perennials. My luck with tray starting however is zero. Usually damping off or kill them with kindness. Maybe I’ll try it again. Maybe. Or maybe late winter early spring pre sprouted winter sowing. Thank you for your very informative and motivational video! And thank you for inviting us into your greenhouse along with your beautiful helpers! Learning so much from you! Because of you, I have soil block tools and materials arriving this week and sweet pea seeds ready to pre-sprout! I’m trying your Cocoloco and Pitt Moss soil recipe. I’m skipping the green sand but including the Myke. I’m excited to try your methods!

[@mariannehellandvik6180]

Thank you, that was very useful to me. My sweet pea seeds are on their way in the mail. Love your videos by the way!!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thank you so much!

[@kathypope3010]

Thank you for this video. My seeds are ordered. Can't wait. This is the most helpful video on planting, soil blocks and pre-sprouting. thx again

[@DanikaBasista]

Really helpful! Thanks for sharing

[@ambermcdermott2479]

Thank you ! This information is so great. It just snowed today at my home and I felt like it probably isn’t a good time to start them. Good to know they do ok I’m low temps.

[@irenetorres8073]

Thanks! I stumbled across your videos and they are so informative. I’m a new flower farmer but I was growing 4 years from seed. We have land so I kinda grew large… and quickly learned many many mistakes 🤦🏻‍♀️. I was too afraid to sell anything. Anyway thanks!

[@ConstantXplorer]

I love sweet peas..some of my fave flowers..and I wish to grow some in the near future.

[@tinerossing]

I just came across your page and like others, I am so impressed by the way you explain your processes and your attitude. I will definitely be watching many more of your How To videos. Wonderful help and work! Thank you!

[@LisaMonique]

I love your channel! I found it when you did your garden planning videos and was fascinated on using square foot gardening for cut flowers. I wish you would do more and include flowers started in soil blocks.

[@ahavarichardson5426]

TFS!! AWESOME to know, I like your method and I'm a newbie, never grown. So fun. I will grow lots! Growing in toilet roll tubes! I want to be green as possible. Great video! Sweet little one was a good helper!

[@Blossomandbranch]

Hope that works well! We tried TP rolls two years ago but they sadly got moldy and we had a lot of losses to rotted roots. Let us know how it goes!!

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

@@Blossomandbranch same here, I’ve never had luck with anything in TP rolls.

[@Allotmentinthefield]

Really nice thing to do Helen.

[@fernly2]

Zone 7 has sweet peas climbing up 6 foot holly bushes by midsummer that inspired me. A beautiful combo. I’ve dug some up from old alleys and transplanted them in the yard with those holly trees trying to get the same effect. Most years it snows here so I’m sure cold will be OK for planting in Nov. For now they’re soaking. I’ll try treating some like alfalfa sprouts before planting or oat groats even. Some are already a foot tall 3/29 although they were exposed to a few snowflakes that nipped the peach blossoms 😢and rose foliage with northern exposure.

[@BramptonGardener]

I've started my peppers in baggies, so I'm glad I saw this I'll try with my sweet peas too, I don't have good luck with them, and want to put them in my soil blocks this year!!!! Now I need to figure out when to start them. Great video.

[@Sherlawacres]

I have ordered a ridiculous amount of sweet pea seeds... thanks for the video!

[@christiensgarden3325]

Great video

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thanks for the visit!

[@lisabuchanan8499]

Awesome video Thanks from Zone 3 Alberta Canada

[@ajussiani]

🙏 thanks for all this information 💗

[@LittleGardenSK]

Great tutorial. I have not had very much success with sweet peas - but will be giving them a try again this spring! They are one of my favorite flowers. Subscribed!

[@joem2745]

Awesome video. I haven't done well with them yet.

[@Cherryparfait41]

Love this technique. Do you have a favorite series for blooms or fragrance?

[@Blossomandbranch]

For blooms, the sunshine variety--for fragrance, you can't beat King's High Scent!

[@shanny-bird]

Hi Brianna. Wonderful video. I planted some sweet pea seeds last Summer that had a gorgeous scent. They were supposed to be annuals, but I let them go to seed at the end of the season, and they came back even more plentiful than the previous year. Unfortunately, the new crop doesn’t appear to have any scent!?!? I am currently harvesting the seeds, but wonder if I should bother - I love the look of sweet peas, but it is the scent that first drew me to grow them. At any rate, I was wondering if you had any idea why they might not have a scent this year? Thanks, Shannon

[@tamararobinson2069]

Great video - what is your last frost date? Love you do the old wet paper towel method🤗 my grandmother taught me that, and I’d wondered away from that idk way - you excited my heart to do the old tried & true - Thank You! 🌱💚

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thank you! Our last frost is typically mid-May. Sometimes the old fashioned ways are the best!!

[@marykennedy3351]

So, I'm in the process of doing all of this. I bought soil blockers this year and am about ready to roll. My question is #1. Are you going to put that tray outside just like that without potting up? #2 Are you not concerned about the roots growing longer as I've heard they get long in order for them to have strong roots? #3 Can I put in the sun outside with no protection once they are the size you have on that tray? I'm here in the PNW zone 8b, and we have fairly mild winters however it can get under °32 at night but not for long. Thank you for sharing. I've been binge watching you bc you do alot of soil blocking.🥰

[@marykennedy3351]

Well, I see at the end you pretty much answered one of my questions.I can get ahead of myself.🤣 plus I might be in for a headache as I've got about 25 varieties of sweet peas. I guess I'm in for a challenge.

[@Andbygrace7024]

The sweet pea SNAP

[@briancorea9735]

I have a tiny home n im just flabbergasted that 125 is manageable

[@KaylaNeece]

So thankful I found your page! I’m currently using 2 inch soil blocks for my sweet peas and I’m wondering if the roots will get tangled between now and transplant time?

[@Blossomandbranch]

They definitely might--it happens to us! We just get them nice and moist before planting and gently pull them apart. They don't seem to be any worse for it! :)

[@BlueberryHillFlowerFarm]

I do appreciate the advice! First year flower farmer and I planned to grow 500. I’ll do 100! I’m in zone 6 so thought I could do another batch in fall. Do you do that?

[@cbak1819]

Thank you for sharing, you are a blessing♥️ Is it too late to start them in April. Night temps in the 40-25* range? Zone 6a

[@jaynefroney381]

New to your channel and soil blocking!! do you leave them in a tray outside until mid march? also what is your growing zone?

[@bethsnively8238]

Thank you for posting this video I’m following your advice and only starting with 50-60 seeds. I was wondering if it is ok to plant against a building with appropriate supports verses an area where they can trail up both sides instead of one side?

[@Blossomandbranch]

Against a building would be fine so long as the building doesn't reflect much heat!

[@patriciakeys4873]

What growing zone are you in?

[@laurabuckholz4607]

Thank you so much, I am going to pre sprout my sweet pea this way to get a good start! Can I use this pre start germinate method with snapdragons and calendula seed as well? With Snaps I know to pre sprout in light to germinate vs calendula darkness like sweet peas.

[@jenniferfisher1743]

When do you start the pre sprout process for a St. patty day transplanting?

[@carolheimsoth5618]

Just watched how to start sweet peas. I'm not sure what zone you are in, but I live in northern, MN zone 3 and am wondering when I should start the seeds here.

[@aimeestauffer2844]

I'm wondering as well . . . I live in Bemidji

[@penrynflowerfarm]

What size is the yellow tray you are using ?

[@MatthewDumouchel]

What growing zone are you in? Wondering if I should wait a few more weeks…our expected last frost is April 11 in 7b

[@steph3118]

Omg, thanks so much! I started some sweet peas inside on a heat mat and they popped up so fast. They look leggy, and I was wondering if they were close enough to the light. Now, what do I do to get them used to being outside. I put them out for like 3 hours today.

[@hibiscus-dreams]

Steph, reading your comment a yr later. Same thing is happening. SPs r a bit leggy Gonna try getting them outside to see if the chill in air might help growth process. How did yours do last year?

[@lsherylc2524]

so many questions! have never planted them as we have a warm climate here in Northern CA. Though it just snowed very weirdly! Anyway, what do you think of doing the paper towel thang then direct sowing them in a container while it's winter here as of 2/24 ? I do not have soil blocks, just trays and want to be successful! Have some Mammoth variety and some other cut flower varieties

[@jinxly420]

Where do you tend to put your outside soil blocks to protect them from the rain? I have a covered porch but it only really gets morning sun.

[@reflectionofperfectionlcc7647]

So I started mine inside and they’re sprouting…I don’t have a greenhouse. Do I stick them outside under some plastic? Anyone?

[@hibiscus-dreams]

I was just watching her short about SPs and came to watch this I'm also growing SPs indoors. My lights were not close enough which is why mine are bordering on leggy Will transfer mine outside. Good to know about the chill factor they need You don't have to have a greenhouse. I'll be using an empty milk or water jug to provide protection and see if their growth improves.

[@wildflowermercantile]

You’re both adorable, also is your greenhouse heated?

[@Blossomandbranch]

Thank you so much! We have a 50 gallon black water jug that helps hold heat (as does the brick floor) and a small electric heater that runs off our solar grid if temps drop below freezing!

[@mariguerrero2797]

Do you start them inside and then let them continue to grow outside? Or do you put in soil and let them sprout in a tray outside?

[@joannbishop892]

How many days did it take for these seeds to germinate? And do you need two little sprouts on each seed? Can you put them in the refrigerator to sprout in the foil since it is a cold dark place?

[@Rebeccas_penmanship]

I'm doing this now and pulled your video up again for reference. I have a question--I'm wondering if it's necessary that they're started in the unheated greenhouse until about 2 or 3 inches tall before putting them straight outside?

[@emilymcdonald2507]

When do you start them? I can’t see the date this was posted? Zone 6a

[@TwinFlameAcres]

I’m in central Texas zone 8B when should I be placing the same time in March around St. Patrick’s Day?

[@Blossomandbranch]

I'd say about 10 weeks before last frost or whenever night temps are consistently above 20!

[@GibClark]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@maralensoeur5378]

You think you could pre-sprout inside then winter down outside?

[@Blossomandbranch]

I've never done it myself, would depend on how mild your winters are! We had a few self seed last fall but they didn't survive winter for us (zone 5/6)

[@moonlover6827]

I live in a tropical country, do you think I can grow them here?

[@camroberts1440]

Did I miss any talk about using an innoculent?

[@loriculberson7886]

How long can you leave them in soil blocks once they germinated?

[@Blossomandbranch]

I time it so that they are in blocks for 8 weeks if grown cold and bright. Hope that helps!

[@Blaccsparrow]

Is there a reason you don't just plant them outside after you get them to sprout instead of putting in blocks?

[@capocreekranch3741]

If you don’t have a cold environment how much if the top do you cold pinch?

[@Blossomandbranch]

I'd pinch above the first set of leaves. :)

[@jamee_maree]

Mine got all slimy and none of them germinated :( I’ve never had that happen before so not sure what caused it. Only thing diff than I normally have done is the aluminum foil. I’d never done that before. When I opened the bag again, and still nothing, I prob looked like a kid that lost her lollipop in the sand. Lol

[@thecakepopsistars]

Thanks for sharing all your understandable and relatable information. #agratefulnewcutflowergardener 🇨🇦 zone5

[@toniasgarden3550]

Just found your Chanel a couple weeks ago and love it! I’m curious as to what your first & last frost dates are? Just getting ready to start my sweet peas…😊 Do you have an Instagram Account?