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Getting Started with Nasturtium Seeds
Nasturtiums are vibrant, easy-to-grow flowers that bring bold colors and a peppery charm to any garden. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, planting nasturtium seeds is one of the most rewarding projects you can undertake. These cheerful bloomers thrive in organic growing conditions and require minimal fuss once established.
Choosing the Right Growing Environment
Nasturtiums prefer full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They're surprisingly tolerant of poor soil conditions, which makes them perfect for gardeners working with less-than-ideal garden beds. In fact, overly rich soil can lead to excessive foliage at the expense of flowers. Choose a location with well-draining soil and good air circulation to prevent moisture-related issues.
Preparing Your Seeds for Success
Nasturtium seeds have thick seed coats, so soaking them in room-temperature water for a few hours before planting can improve germination rates. This softens the outer shell and helps the seedling emerge more easily. Plant seeds directly into the garden after your last frost date, or start them indoors four to six weeks earlier if you prefer a head start.
Space seeds about eight to ten inches apart, planting them half an inch deep. Water gently but thoroughly after sowing, keeping the soil consistently moist until seedlings appear, which typically happens within one to two weeks.
Nurturing Young Seedlings
Once your seedlings emerge, reduce watering frequency slightlyβnasturtiums don't appreciate constantly wet soil and are actually more drought-tolerant once established. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Thin seedlings to their final spacing if you've planted them densely, as good air circulation helps prevent fungal issues.
Supporting Growth and Blooming
As your nasturtiums grow, you'll notice they're naturally vigorous plants. Pinching back young growth encourages bushier, more compact plants rather than long, trailing stems. If you're growing climbing varieties, provide a trellis or support structure early on so the vines can twine naturally.
Nasturtiums bloom prolifically without heavy feeding. If you use compost or organic mulch, it provides sufficient nutrients. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leafy growth over flowers.
Managing Water and Preventing Problems
Water at the base of plants rather than overhead to minimize wet foliage, which can invite fungal diseases. In hot climates, afternoon shade and consistent moisture help plants flower longer. Nasturtiums are generally pest and disease resistant, though aphids occasionally appearβa strong spray of water often dislodges them naturally.
Harvesting and Enjoying Your Nasturtiums
Flowers typically appear six to eight weeks after planting and continue blooming until frost. Regularly harvesting or deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowers throughout the season. Nasturtium flowers are entirely edible with a mild peppery flavor, making them a beautiful addition to salads. Seeds can also be collected at season's end if you'd like to save them for next year's planting.
In Summary
| How to Grow & HarvestΒ Nasturtiums |
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Β Β When to Plant Nasturtiums should be planted in the spring for a "summer show" once soil temperatures have reached around 70 degrees F.Β
How to Plant When to Harvest Deadhead your plants regularly to encourage new blooms, all season long. These flowers will self-seed resulting in more flowers for years to come! |
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