sweet pea planting time and growth rate

It sounds as if they are doing well. You need to harden them off by putting them outside each day and taking them back inside for about 10 days, then you can plant them out! You want bushy plants, so don't worry about the side shoots getting taller. That's good.

Good luck with them.

Your Sweet Peas sound alright. You did the correct thing in pinching out the main growing tip as this has encouraged the stronger side shoots to grow. If they are just for garden decoration/picking then you should give them something to climb up, some twigs or netting as they need to cling to something in able to climb. They can reach 1m70cms or up to 2 metres. You will want to cut the flowers regularly so they produce more.

When did you pinch the sweet peas? Some of my dd sweet peas have now got 2 sets of leaves. Do I pinch the top leaves down to the first set of leaves? Thanks!!!
ps hope you don't mind me asking this Bryony??!

Wait until there are 4 sets of 'proper' leaves, then pinch out the top growing point only.

If they stay short check the source, we have dwarf varieties offered far more often here than the larger type. I really have to look to find anything that is nice and tall.

Oooopsy!!! I pinched out the 2nd set of leaves before I read your answer! Blow!!! Will these not grow tall now? (wails..........)