Supporting the growth of scabious and Ammi majus with jute netting

Supporting the Growth of Scabious and Ammi Majus with Jute Netting

How We Build Our Staking System

Cobaea scandens are one of our earliest sowings, and we sow them in January along with our sweet peas. We sow them in one litre pots, which allows them to develop a deep root system so we'll have healthy and strong plants.

Cobaea won't start flowering until they are six feet in height, so you need to maximise their growth to get a good number of flowers.

Adding Willow Stakes to the Hazel Corner Posts

We use kiln dried willow so that the stakes don't take root in the soil once they are planted.

We space these stakes about 1.2 metres apart along the sides of the bed and then we also place one stake in the middle to add extra support.

You Will Need:

• Hazel posts
• Hammer
• Willow
• Jute netting

Adding the Net

We used to use plastic pea netting for our frames, but as we have moved away from plastic to natural materials, we now use jute netting.

• Place your jute netting over your hazel corner posts to a height of about 30 cm off the ground and try and get it as taut as you can.
• Continue down the line, putting the jute netting over all of your willow stakes.
• The stems of your plants will then grow through the netting and be supported, which will help them to grow straight.
• If any of your plants are at the right height, thread them through the netting to encourage them.

Adding a Second Layer of Netting

As your plants get taller through the summer months, you may need to add a second layer of netting so that they are getting continued support as they grow.

This second layer should be at about half the height of the plants and will then provide enough support for them for the rest of the growing season.

This method will help you to maximise the stem length of your blooms, which is ideal for cut flower arrangements.