Grow a sweet pea teepee

1. Choose the right spot

Find a sunny spot in your garden where the teepee won’t be easily knocked over.

2. Build the frame

Push the bamboo canes into the ground around 10cm deep in a big circle, leaving space between each one. Remember to leave space for an entrance to your den. Carefully bring the tops of the canes together and tie them tightly with string to make a tall teepee shape.

3. Prepare the soil

Loosen the soil all the way around the base of the teepee with your spade/trowel and mix a bit of compost in with the soil.

4. Create a trellis (with a little patience – this step takes time!)

The plant will need something to grab hold of as it climbs and grows. So, we need to create a trellis.

Start with one of the canes next to the doorway of your den. Tie your string/twine to the cane near the bottom, close to the soil. Wrap the string around the next cane, then the next one, weaving in and out as you go. Keep moving around the teepee but remember to leave a gap for the entrance so you can still go in and out. When you reach the cane on the other side of the doorway, tie a couple of tight knots to secure the string. Don’t cut the string! Slide it up about a hand’s width, then start weaving again — this time going back the other way. Keep doing this until you reach the top of your teepee.

5. Plant the seeds

Plant a few seeds at the base of each cane. Push them into the soil about a finger deep. Cover them gently with compost and pat lightly. If you’re using pre-grown sweet pea plants, only plant one at the base of each cane.

6. Water your seeds

Give the seeds a drink after planting. Sweet peas like regular watering, and as we move into the summer, make sure to water your sweet pea teepee often. This is especially important during hot dry spells in June and July.

3. Watch, wait and enjoy!

Over the next few weeks, the seeds will sprout, green vines will climb high, and buds will appear. Before long, sweet-smelling flowers will bloom, covering your teepee in a bright carpet of colour, ready for you to enjoy all summer long!