Guide to Cultivating Nasturtiums: Steps for Sowing, Nurturing, and Gathering Nasturtium Seeds or Plants
In this article, we will guide you through the process of growing trailing and climbing nasturtiums in window boxes, hanging baskets, and other containers. These vibrant, edible flowers are a delightful addition to any garden, and with the right care, they can thrive and bloom beautifully throughout the summer.
Choosing the Right Variety
For trailing growth that cascades beautifully, select vigorous trailing types like 'Jewel of Africa Mix' or 'Flower Carpet Dayglow Mix'. Climbing nasturtiums can also trail if given a trellis or support in the container. Varieties such as Variegatus, Spitfire, and Climbing Phoenix are excellent choices for climbing nasturtiums. On the other hand, bush varieties like Alaska Variegated, Peach Melba, and Black Velvet are ideal for containers with limited space (1, 2).
Sunlight
Provide full sun—at least 6 hours daily—to encourage abundant flowering and healthy growth. Nasturtiums are sun lovers and thrive best in bright, sunny locations (1, 4).
Soil
Use well-draining soil that is sandy and slightly acidic to neutral. Avoid overly rich or fertilized soils, which encourage foliage rather than blooms. Nasturtiums can do well in poorer soils, but the chemical balance of the soil can impact their growth (1, 4).
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Nasturtiums are somewhat drought-tolerant but perform best with regular watering. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot and reduce heat stress (1).
Planting & Support
For climbing varieties, provide a small trellis or support in the basket or window box to encourage upward growth. Trailing types will naturally spill over edges. Keep nasturtium plants approximately ten to twelve inches apart from each other (2).
Maintenance
Regularly dead-head spent flowers and prune back leggy growth to encourage new blooms and compact shape. This is especially important in containers where space is limited (1).
Harvesting
Nasturtiums are edible. You may harvest leaves, flowers, and seedpods with scissors, which can promote more flowering. For the best flavor, pick them when they are fully open. When harvesting, it's best to use a quality pair of scissors and snip off leaves, flowers, and seedpods to avoid damaging the plant (1).
Benefits
Nasturtiums can attract helpful pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. They are also divided into two main categories: bush and trailing or climbing types. Companion planting with nasturtiums can help other vegetables prosper as these flowers attract a host of insects and pests (1).
With these conditions, you can enjoy trailing or climbing nasturtiums thriving and blooming beautifully in your containers, window boxes, or hanging baskets throughout the summer (1, 2).
- To ensure your container garden thrives, choose organic, well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral for planting.
- In addition to thriving in containers, bush varieties of nasturtiums are ideal for small spaces, making them perfect for home-and-garden enthusiasts with limited room.
- If you're looking for edible flowers to decorate your lifestyle, consider planting nasturtiums, which offer their vibrant blooms as well as tasty leaves, flowers, and seedpods.
- By providing your nasturtiums with at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, you'll encourage healthy growth, abundant flowering, and the attraction of beneficial pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
- Ensure regular watering for your nasturtiums, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged, as these plants are somewhat drought-tolerant and perform best with consistent hydration.
- For a lush, flourishing garden that benefits both your eye and your kitchen, consider incorporating trailing or climbing nasturtiums into your home-and-garden lifestyle, alongside companion plants which can prosper from their insect-attracting qualities.
