How to Grow Sweetpea in Alaska

Tips on Growing Fragrant Long Stem Sweetpea Flowers in Alaska.

I hear all the time that the Sweetpea reminds people of their grandmother or favorite aunt. For me it’s my grandma, Mary. She grew them outside her antique shop along the fence by the front gate when I was a little girl. She’d cut them to set on the table when I’d come and visit. 

They are one of my favorite flowers to grow. I put up an entire tunnel of them to walk through every summer. 

Here in Alaska there are two ways to grow Sweetpea. 

  • You can plant the seed directly in the ground in the spring for a bit of a later bloom.
  • Since most of the US can plant them in the fall and have blooms by early summer I start ours indoors in 4” band pots and have also had luck growing them in 72 count trays.

The starting early method.

  1. Make sure to purchase quality sweetpea seed.
  2. Gather you band pots or (tip solo cups) or trays.
  3. Fill with potting soil.
  4. Dampen the soil.
  5. Add 2-3 seeds per 1.25” deep hole. I use a pencil to create the hole first.
  6. You should start seeing the first shoots in about 10-12 days.
  7. When they have 4-6 sets of leaves, pinch the tops down to the next set of leaves. This makes for bushier plants for more blooms.
  8. Sweetpea are vines and thrive best when planted along a trellis or something they can climb as they grow.
  9. When they start blooming be sure to cut some to bring in house.
  10. For the longest vase life pick when there are about 2 unopened buds at the top.

Pro Tip 1: For better germination soak Sweetpea seed overnight but not more than 24 hours before sowing.

Pro Tip 2: Be sure to tie or corral the Sweetpea to the trellis every foot or so for beautiful long sturdy vines and stems.