Hello, little human. I am a sweet pea seed, a tiny, sleeping capsule of life. To help me become the beautiful, fragrant vine I am destined to be, you must understand my needs from my perspective. Here is what I require from you.
My outer shell is tough; I need your help to break free. Please place me in a soft, well-draining bed. A mix of potting soil, compost, and a little sand is perfect. It must be loose so my tender new roots can push through it easily. Most importantly, my bed must not be too rich in food (nitrogen), or I will grow lots of leaves but few flowers. I dream of blooming for you, so prepare my bed with care.
I am dormant and very thirsty. You have a choice: you can plant me directly in my moist bed, or you can help me by giving me a long drink first. Submerging me in lukewarm water for 4-8 hours before planting will soften my hard shell and signal to my core that it is time to wake up. This gives me a much stronger and faster start. It is a simple act of kindness I greatly appreciate.
Do not bury me too deep! I am small and need to sense the sun's warmth to know which way to grow. Plant me about 1 inch deep in the soil. If you are placing me in a pot, I do not mind sharing my home with a few other seeds, but please give us about 3 inches of space each so our roots do not have to fight for resources later. Gently cover me with soil and pat it down so I have good contact with the moisture.
Now that I am tucked in, I need a consistent environment. Water my soil thoroughly until it is evenly moist, like a wrung-out sponge. Please keep it this way, but never soggy, or I might rot before I even begin. I do not need blazing sunlight yet; a cool, bright spot is ideal for my germination. I prefer my soil to be cool, around 55-65°F (13-18°C), so do not place me on a hot radiator.
Soon, a shoot will emerge from the soil. I am a climbing plant by nature. The moment my first tendrils appear, I will begin searching for something to grasp. Please provide me with a trellis, netting, or twiggy sticks right away. If I cannot find support, I will become tangled and stressed. Guiding my young tendrils gently onto the support helps me channel my energy into growing tall and strong, reaching for the sky.
