Water and mulch in dry weather. Remove old flower heads to promote new blooms
Harvest all the open and almost open flowers regularly once a week to stop the plant from setting seed. If sweet peas set seed they stop flowering
In late winter, soak seeds overnight in warm water before sowing 1cm deep, three seeds in a 7cm pot of free draining compost. Keep at 20C until germination do not exclude light. Alternatively, can be sown direct in the spring.
Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 7.8 inches (20.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.39 inches (1.0 cm). For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 10°C / 50°F.By our calculations, you should look at sowing Painted Lady about 42 days before your last frost date.
Over winter winter sown seedlings in cooler conditions in a cold frame, before planting out in the spring when the weather has warmed.
Pinch out the growing point once the second pair of leaves has opened as this will make side shoots and more flowers
Painted Lady is half hardy, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.