I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like sweet peas.

They are probably the most popular of the annual flowers, versatile for use in containers and hanging baskets in a multitude of colours, pretty frilly blooms with a magnificent scent.

If you didn’t get a chance to get your sweet peas planted in autumn, don’t worry you can still do it now.

Before planting it’s worth bearing in mind the outer seed coating of lathyrus odaratus (sweet pea) is very hard and so may need some gentle encouragement or germination can be a bit hit and miss.

This I do by soaking the seeds in a couple of tablespoons of tepid water overnight, which makes the seeds swell ready for planting.

After soaking plant in root trainers or old loo rolls as they like the depth for their roots to develop.

Allow one per module pushed into damp compost and cover with a plastic seed tray cover or clingfilm works just as well.

Mice love seeds so I would recommend sowing indoors rather than direct unless you have a plentiful supply of mousetraps!

Check them often and once the seedlings have appeared keep them cool, as this promotes good root growth and not stem, a cold greenhouse or light shed is ideal.

Pinch out the leader shoot when they have three or four pairs of leaves, this will promote vigorous side shoots.

Plant them out when the root trainers are filled.

Sweet peas need a frame or support, a wigwam made of bamboo canes is ideal or you can be more creative with some rustic hazel branches but really anything that will allow them to scramble up.

Dig a load of organic matter around the base of your chosen support, as they prefer moisture retentive soil.

Place two plants 5cm away from the support, about 20 to 25cms apart.

Keep the slugs at bay by adding a wide strip of sharp sand around the base that should stop them in their tracks! Tie in the young plants to the frame with some snip and twist ties to stop them flopping around.

Feed every couple of weeks with your tomato food.

Once they are flowering pick daily to avoid any seed pods forming or the plant will stop producing flowers and we want to keep the glory going for as long as possible.

Try lathyrus ‘cupani’ which has delightful bi-coloured flowers.