Probably really dumb question - about seeds on sweet pea plants

[potoftea]

Hi, sorry if I am displaying too much ignorance about gardening, but I planted some sweet pea seeds this year and they grew beautifully.
Now they have loads of seed pods on them, and I've been told you can harvest these and plant them for next year.
Is this true, and how soon can I plant, like immediatly I pick them out of the pods, or do they need to dry out or something.

Thanks.

Hiya, take off the pods and dry them out in a paper bag. Plant once the ground is warmer, early spring or in a green house from Feb onwards.

Thanks for that billysitch. Love your name, had to double check when I read it.

If it said on the original packet 'F1 hybrid' I think you'll find any seeds produced by the plants will be sterile.

An F1 hybrid is a very controlled, 1st generation cross of two purebred parents. The seeds should be fertile, but the plants they produce are unlikely to resemble their F1 hybrid parents.

If you're not too worried about the size, colour or scent then plant them up and see what variety you get . But if you particularly wanted pale blue with frilly edges you might be disapointed...