From our perspective as Sweet Pea plants (*Lathyrus odoratus*), we are heavy feeders with specific nutritional needs to fuel our rapid growth and prolific flowering. To truly thrive and fill your garden with our vibrant colors and intoxicating scent, you must understand not just what to feed us, but the *when* and *how* of it. It is a dialogue between you and our roots.
Our primary desire is for a balanced diet that supports both our structural growth and our reproductive mission—blooming. We require a good balance of the core macronutrients: Nitrogen (N) for building our vigorous vines and lush foliage, Phosphorus (P) for developing strong, extensive root systems and for initiating flower production, and Potassium (K) for overall plant health and disease resistance. However, the ratio of these nutrients is critical. Too much nitrogen will make us focus all our energy on producing leaves at the expense of your cherished blossoms. We also have a particular fondness for potassium; it is the key to the quality and quantity of our flowers.
The ideal fertilizer for us is one that aligns with our changing needs. At planting time, we appreciate a gentle, organic foundation. Well-rotted manure or compost worked into the soil provides a slow-release buffet of nutrients and improves the soil structure for our roots. Once we are established and begin to climb, a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 or 5-10-10 formula) applied every few weeks gives us the immediate energy to surge upwards. As we approach our flowering stage, our needs shift. This is when we crave a fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium (like a 5-10-10 or even a tomato feed) to channel energy directly into bud formation and flowering.
When you feed us is as important as what you feed us. Your initial gift of compost at planting sets us up for success. Wait until we are 6-8 inches tall and have begun to establish ourselves before introducing the first dose of balanced fertilizer. This prevents tender root burn. Thereafter, a consistent feeding schedule of every 3-4 weeks during our active growth period is ideal. The most crucial feeding is just as you see the first flower buds beginning to form; switching to a bloom-booster formula at this precise moment will result in a spectacular floral display. Please cease feeding us as our season winds down and we begin to set seed.
How you deliver nutrients affects our ability to absorb them. We prefer our soil to be moist before any feeding application; applying fertilizer to dry soil can shock our root systems. For liquid fertilizers, apply the solution to the soil around our base, taking care to avoid wetting our foliage, as this can invite fungal diseases. A thorough watering after applying a granular fertilizer is essential to help dissolve the nutrients and carry them down to our root zone. A layer of organic mulch around our base helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually adds nutrients back into the soil as it decomposes.
