Introduction
Want to learn how to grow nasturtium?
Nasturtiums are one of the easiest plants to grow. However, it is best to first understand the process of growing nasturtium so that you don’t make any mistakes. Nasturtiums were one of the first plants that I grew in my life. Despite their ease of plantation and growth, my first nasturtium flowers didn’t grow well. I made some mistakes that I don’t want others to make when they are planting nasturtium in their garden.
Follow this easy guide and learn how to harvest nasturtiums yourself easily.
Everything You Need to Know About Nasturtiums
If you are looking for a cheerful, bold, bright, and beautiful addition to your garden, then nasturtium is a great choice. These are some of the easiest flowers to grow. They only need a hint of attention and care and you will see them spreading fast in your garden. Nasturtiums are annual flowers that keep growing and thriving the entire summer to give your landscape a stunning color and vibrancy.
What’s more? The nasturtium flowers are entirely edible (https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-nasturtiums-easiest-annuals/). In fact, not just the flowers but the entire plant including the leaves and seeds are edible. They have a very distinct and tasty flavor which makes them a great addition to your garden.
Nasturtiums are available in a variety of sizes including bush, dwarf, trailing, and climbing plants. There are many common names given to the plants including Peru cress, Mexican cress, and Indian cress. These plants are native to Central and South America and are fast-growing plants (https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/nasturtium/growing-nasturtiums.htm).
Planting Nasturtiums
Growing nasturtiums is easy. Even the people who are just starting out on gardening can easily grow these beautiful flowers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtDi6GnHKT8). Here is an easy guide on how you can harvest nasturtium in your garden.
- Start growing nasturtium seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before you are expecting the last frost of spring
- Seeds should be sown in well-drained and moist soil. Keep the seeds in full sun. Nasturtium can thrive in partial shade as well but they need sunlight to bloom to their full capacity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv0TLiY390M)
- These plants don’t need fertilizers to bloom. In fact, they prefer poorer soils. Growing them in fertile soil leads to more foliage and fewer blooms.
- Seeds should be planted 1/2 inch into the soil. Plant each seed 10-12 inches apart. Plants start appearing in a week to 10 days.
How to Care for Nasturtium Plants
Here are some tips on how to care for the plant.
- Water these plants regularly in their growing season. However, it is important not to over-water them as it can affect the bloom
- You can prolong the bloom by cutting off the dead and faded flowers
- You can also grow nasturtiums in containers (https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/growing-nasturtiums/7991.html). Make sure that they are occasionally trimmed back the entire growing season to maximize the blooms.
Common Pests/Diseases Affecting the Nasturtium Plant
Some common pests and diseases affecting the nasturtium plant include:
- Caterpillars
- Fleas beetles
- Slugs
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Some viruses
Make sure you check your nasturtium for these diseases and pests to ensure that they are growing well and healthy.
FAQ
1. How do you grow nasturtiums?
Please refer to the information given above to learn how you can plant nasturtiums.
2. Do nasturtiums come back every year?
Yes, nasturtiums are annual flowers. They come back every year.
3. Do nasturtiums climb?
Yes, one of the varieties of nasturtium climbs.
4. Do nasturtium seeds need to be soaked before planting?
You can soak nasturtium seed before planting to speed up the process of germination. Make sure you only soak them for a maximum of eight hours to prevent the rotting of the seeds.
Conclusion
Nasturtiums are one of the easiest flowers to plant even for the people who have just started gardening. Put the seeds in your garden in early spring and these flowers will keep blooming the entire summer. Here are some important things to keep in mind when gardening the nasturtium flower.
- Choose a well-drained soil that receives plenty of sunlight.
- The seeds should be grown 10-12 inches apart.
- The flowers don’t need fertilizers to grow but you can add them if you feel that the soil is poor in nutrients.
Have any questions regarding growing these beautiful flowers in your garden? Get in touch with us in the comments.
