This is the second year here that we've planted sweet peas, those old-fashioned, fragrant climbers. The first year, I planted about twenty seeds from a packet bought at the nursery, and wasn't too excited about the crop. There were only three colors, and never enough to cut a real bouquet for the house.
This year we've planted a great many more seeds in the same area at the base of a net. The net is for climbing, of course, if the plants send out those handy little tendrils designed to grab and hold.
Yesterday I watered the row of sweet peas and was surprised to find all the plants growing enthusiastically, but more or less flat on the ground. The net on which the growing plants were supposed to grab and hold was in place, the sun was shining brightly, and water was doing its job. The tiny tendrils were seeking for places to hang onto, and some had twined around the plant next to them. However, since all were flat on the ground , the grasping and twining was getting them no where.
Kneeling down, I lifted the longest vines off the ground, and carefully wrapped them up around the first level of the netting. The shorter vines which had attached to them came up as well and left only a few stems still on the ground.
Today when I checked, the tendrils of many plants were tightly grasping the strings of the net and were beginning their upward climb. The shorter ones were also up off the soil and doing better than when they were flat.
I know there's a great analogy here but may have to wait for a little more growth before it comes clear. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the growing process and do my part with water, pest control, and love.
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