Sweet Pea (Black Diamond) Traditional Cache

Sweet Peas make a beautiful contrast among the flowers along this trail. The cache is across the path, as there’s no good place for a hide right next to the flowers.

From ‘Fine Gardening’:

Success with Sweet Peas

Sow these annuals at the right time and give them plenty of drainage and air circulation

by Renee Shepherd

For me, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus cvs.) are the most exquisite of annual flowers. These gorgeous old-fashioned vines bloom for about a month in spring. The long-stemmed sprays of fluted and ruffled blossoms produce an irresistible medley of fragrances that reminds me of jasmine and orange blossoms. A bouquet of scented sweet peas literally perfumes a room.

Despite the fact that growing and enjoying sweet peas as cut flowers is a gardening tradition, these lovely flowers are often labeled “difficult to grow.” I’ve found, however, that if sown at the right time and given the proper conditions, sweet peas are relatively carefree and rewarding to grow. With their wide range of enchanting colors and haunting fragrance, they’re well worth every gardener’s attention.

SWEET PEAS

Lathyrus odoratus cvs. (LATH-ih-rus  oh-dor-AY-tus)

Origins This fragrant, vining annual has numerous cultivars. The species was discovered by a monk in Italy around 1699.

Conditions Sweet peas grow in full sun to partial shade and require rich, well-drained soil.

Pests and Diseases Give plants elbow room to promote air circulation, which will hinder mildew problems. Sweet peas are sometimes troubled by birds, slugs, snails, aphids, and thrips.

Propagation Grow new plants from seed. In mild winter areas, sow seed in fall or early spring. In cold winter areas, start seed indoors in late winter and transplant in spring.

Maintenance Sweet peas are heavy feeders, so fertilize them throughout the growing season. Deadheading encourages a longer season of bloom.

SOW SEED IN COOL WEATHER

Sweet-pea seeds will germinate at a rate of between 78 and 90 percent. To enhance germination, nick the seed coat so moisture can more easily penetrate the protective barrier.

Photo/Illustration: 

Jennifer Benner

There are a few commandments to follow to successfully grow sweet peas. Plants must have soil with excellent drainage and full sun to partial shade. Sufficient spacing of plants for good air cir­culation is important, too, because sweet peas are susceptible to mil­dew. Young seedlings must also be protected from slugs, snails, and marauding birds until they are 4 to 5 inches tall. Most important, seeds must be sown and grown in cool weather.

In areas with mild winters and hot summers, sweet peas are best sown in fall, after Labor Day. This gives the seeds time to germinate and to develop good root systems, which help the seedlings overwinter and grow rapidly once spring weather and longer days arrive. If you forget to plant in fall, sow the seeds as early as possible in spring in an area with some afternoon shade. In regions with mild winters and relatively cool summers, like the Pacific Northwest, sweet peas can be sown later in spring for late-summer bloom.

In areas with cold winters, sow sweet peas indoors and then transplant them outdoors when weather permits. Sow the seeds in individual 3- to 4-inch-diameter containers to keep the roots from being disturbed while transplanting. It’s important not to plant seedlings in the garden any deeper than they were in containers. If summer heat or humidity comes on fast in your area, direct-sow seeds as soon as the ground can be worked in spring in a spot that gets some afternoon shade. Sweet-pea seedlings are fairly tough and can take a light frost, unlike many other annual seedlings.

Read more: http://www.finegardening.com/success-sweet-peas#ixzz4pSAWYO4k

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The cache is a tied in, camoed , big “micro” pill bottle that you have to push hard to open and close. Please remember to BYOP and put things back as you found them, rubber band and all! Don’t forget to seal the bag WELL!