How to Pinch Back Sweet Peas to Encourage More Blooms
It's sweet pea season! Thanks to their sweet fragrance and colorful varieties, they are a gardener's favorite. They will soon be filling garden spaces and vases alike.
![PEAS1 Close up of bright pink flowers.](https://yoderbilt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PEAS1.jpg)
![PEAS2 Close up of bright pink flowers.](https://yoderbilt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PEAS2.jpg)
![Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_3 Blooming pink sweet pea flower](https://yoderbilt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_3.jpg)
![Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_4 Sweet peas in planting trays on a table inside a Yoderbilt Greenhouse](https://yoderbilt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_4.jpg)
Do you want more blooms? If so, you should consider pinching back your plants. Although not a necessity, most gardeners will opt to pinch their sweet peas back. You will do this once they reach 4-6 inches tall. This will not only encourage the plant to be shorter and busier but will also produce more blooms. Once they begin producing, the more blossoms you cut, the more they'll produce—a great cut and come again flower.
![Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_5 Sweet peas in planting trays on a table inside a Yoderbilt Greenhouse](https://yoderbilt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_5.jpg)
You can "pinch" with your fingernails, although I like a clean-cut, so I tend you to use some small sharp pruners. You will pinch or cut the central growing tip above the leaf joint. I make sure I cut and leave only 2-3 leaf sets on the plant.
![Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_6 Sweet pea branches that have been clipped off of a plant sitting on a table inside of a Yoderbilt Greenhouse](https://yoderbilt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_6.jpg)
![Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_7 Sweet peas in planting trays on a table inside a Yoderbilt Greenhouse](https://yoderbilt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Yoderbilt_Sweet_Peas_7.jpg)
You can "pinch" with your fingernails, although I like a clean-cut, so I tend you to use some small sharp pruners. You will pinch or cut the central growing tip above the leaf joint. I make sure I cut and leave only 2-3 leaf sets on the plant.
With pinching, they will redirect their energy into more branches and blooms. It can be hard to pinch them back, but it's so worth it!
![PEAS8 Bouquet of bright pink flowers and one flower separated sitting on a wooden table.](https://yoderbilt.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PEAS8.jpg)