Human Flower Project
The Bee’s Knees of Sweet Peas
With the Chelsea Flower Show underway, the competitive spirit is racing through English gardens. At Claygate in Surry, the allotments—created and tended by private gardeners not big design firms—come in for a round of judging, and wisely the plot of Albert Boyman was singled out. “Not a vegetable in sight, but it is the clear winner for the “Wow” award.” Boyman raises sweet peas only, 500 plants in nine colors. (He’s also won the National Sweet Pea Society show five years running.)
Albert Boyman and his sweet peas
Vale Road allotment, Claygate, Surry
Photo: Eleanor Bentall
Here, from the Telegraph, are Mr. Boyman’s tips for successful sweet peas.
Don’t start sweet peas off in the house - the heat will make them leggy and unproductive. Once germination has taken place in the greenhouse, plants need to be kept cool so that the roots can grow without too much top growth. Good light is also important.
Recommended varieties of seed are: Gwendoline (pink), Andrew Cavendish (lavender), Baron’s Court (purple), Lord Nelson (dark blue), Unwins Pink Pearl (pale pink).
Sow on November 1 in the greenhouse in a mix of general-purpose compost and John Innes No 3.
Prick out once the seed has germinated - two seedlings to a tall 1 litre pot. Leave to settle in greenhouse for 2 weeks.
Move to cold frame (cover frame with fleece if weather very cold).
Stop the plant in January. Count two sets of leaves then cut the stem so that side-shoots (where the flowers will come from) develop.DSelect the final site - dig a trench 1ft deep, fill with manure and cover with soil.
In March, plant out the pots (with two sweet peas in each) between two canes. Plant on the inside of canes or pea-sticks so that fleece can be pinned and wrapped for protection.
Start feeding in July with high-potash feed. Keep well-watered.
Pick or deadhead for more flowers.
The Vale Road allotment, where Mr. Boyman grows his Wow flowers, will be open to the public June 8.
How do you feel about elephant dung in vegetable gardens? Can you tell me the in’s and out’s of it all? Thank you so much for your time.