Bring the seedpods indoors and remove the seeds from the pods. Line a flat surface, such as a countertop or cookie sheet, with newspaper and let the seeds dry for about three days. Once dry, put them in a freezer bag or Mason jar with a tight-fitting lid to keep them dry. Store them in a cool place until planting time.
Can I save my sweet pea seeds?
Saving sweet pea seeds
Seed can be collected in early September. Leave the seed pods on the plants until they have turned a paper bag colour. Collect them on a dry day, remove them from their pods and store in paper bags in a dry place until you a ready to sow them.
Do you have to dry pea seeds before planting?
Pea Seed Germination
In some cases the drying process actually kills the seed, but in most cases it helps the seed survive for a long time. As pea seeds dry, they loose a lot of water and start to shrivel up and look wrinkled. Interestingly, not all peas get wrinkled.
Can you dry fresh peas for seeds?
Peas mature very quickly and can be left on the vine to dry. If there is a risk of frost to a crop that is almost mature, lift the entire plants and hang them inside somewhere warm until the pods are completely dried. Next steps …. Pop the peas (seeds) out of the pod by hand.
Is it best to soak sweet pea seeds before planting?
In fact frequently these light coloured flower seeds need neither chipping nor soaking, but unless you know the colour of the sweet pea you are sowing it is better to give them a short soak for a few hours which will do no harm as long as they are patted dry afterwards on tissue paper or kitchen roll.
Do sweet peas reseed themselves?
Will sweet peas self-seed? Yes, in warmer climates. If you leave your sweet pea plants to turn to seed in fall, and allow those seed pods to pop open and disperse the seeds, it is absolutely possible for some to self-seed next year.
How long are sweet pea seeds viable?
How Long Will Sweet Pea Seeds Last? Sweet pea seeds should remain viable for two to three years if properly stored. Harvesting sweet pea seeds is as simple as letting the pods mature on the vine until they’re ready to pick, letting them dry out, and storing.
How do you dry pea seeds for planting?
If pea pods are not completely dry before the first frost, pull the plants up, root first, and hang them in a cool, dry location until the pods are brown and dry. When the pea pods are completely dry, break them open to release the seeds.
How do I save garden pea seeds for next year?
Peas and beans
Strip the pods from the plants and spread them out to dry indoors. They should dry at least two weeks before shelling, or you can leave the seeds in the pods until planting time.
How long do peas have to dry before planting?
It normally takes three or four days at room temperature for the pods to dry down, and then they start to shrivel quite rapidly. (The peas themselves will take a while longer.)
Can you grow peas from dried peas?
Soak. Soak the peas in water for 24 hours (dried peas sold for cooking will normally grow fine and are much cheaper than buying seed packets). After 24 hours the peas have expanded – and are already looking more alive! They’re now ready for sowing.
How do you dry peas for storage?
Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator. If necessary, turn pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period. Vegetables can scorch easily toward the end of drying, so monitor more closely as drying nears completion. Dried peas should be hard, wrinkled, green.
Can I plant sweet peas in February?
Sow sweet pea seeds between October and April. For best results aim for late October/November or late February/March as temperatures and light levels are less than ideal in midwinter. Sweet peas can also be sown direct into the ground in April or May.
Will sweet peas grow back next year?
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) only live for a year, dying after setting seed. But don’t let this put you off as they are super easy to grow from seed. Perennial species such as Lathyrus latifolius come back year after year, but mostly lack fragrance and there are fewer to choose from.
Can I plant sweet peas in January?
Sweet peas are annuals and can be sown in the spring. However, as with sowing the seeds in October, a January sowing enables the plants to develop strong roots, put on some early growth and provide larger plants to set out after the frosts.
How do you start sweet peas from seed?
Sweet pea seed will germinate in soil at temperatures of 55º to 65º F or 13º to 18º C. Plant seeds in holes that are about two inches (two knuckles) deep. Drop two to four seeds per hole, with holes spaced four to six inches apart. Water thoroughly and keep soil moist until seeds have sprouted.
Can you eat sweet pea leaves?
RAW: Both the leaves and the stems of pea greens are edible. We recommend pairing the uncooked greens with a light vinaigrette so their delicate grassy flavor comes through. COOKED: Lightly sauté the greens to highlight their savory flavor.
How do you overwinter sweet peas?
Autumn-sown sweet peas should be kept in their cold frame or greenhouse to overwinter. While you don’t want to mollycoddle seedlings too much (cool temperatures will keep plants stocky and sturdy) they won’t appreciate being repeatedly frozen, so add extra protection in frosty weather.
How do you know if Sweet Pea seeds are viable?
Water test: Take your seeds and put them in a container of water. Let them sit for about 15 minutes. Then if the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, they most likely will not sprout.
Will old sweet pea seeds grow?
Although the seed pods look like Snap Pea pods, they are not edible. You can save the pods and seeds to produce plants for the following year. Keep in mind that the seeds may not produce plants that are the same color as the parent plant.
Will 10 year old seeds germinate?
Yes! Even seeds that are thousands of years old can germinate. But proper pre-treatment is essential, and the older the seed, the less energy it has left in storage. Seeds from annual plants aren’t often designed to last many years, part of what makes the germination process so tricky.