How To Grow Nasturtiums

Few plants give as much color and greenery for as little effort as do nasturtiums. These annuals also go by a variety of other names, including Indian cress, canary bird flower or Scottish flamethrower. Plant a few seeds in the ground and they'll spring forth rapidly, covering a relatively large area with gorgeous flowers in a variety of jewel-like colors.

Instructions

STEP 1: Check out nurseries for seedlings. Most greenhouses carry them.

STEP 2: Read labels carefully. Some nasturtiums climb like a vine while others sprawl like a groundcover. Some have plain green leaves while others have leaves with fancy green or light cream markings. Flower colors also vary from cream to rich reds, yellows and golds.

STEP 3: Plant seedlings in loose, well-drained soil that also is moisture-retentive. (They don't do well in heavy clay, for example.)

STEP 4: Plant seeds outdoors, 12 inches or more apart and about 1/4-inch deep, about one week after your region's last frost date.

STEP 5: Keep soil moist but not soggy.

STEP 6: Check regularly for aphids, which appear as tiny white blobs on stems and underneath leaves. If they occur, treat immediately with an insecticidal soap - an earth-friendly pest control method.

STEP 7: Pull up and discard plants in autumn, once frost has felled the plants.

Tips & Warnings

Nasturtiums are happiest in full sun (with a little afternoon shade in the South) in average, well-drained soil.
Nasturtium flower petals are edible. Pluck a few and sprinkle over your next salad.
Nasturtiums don't like too much fertilizer or soil that's too rich. In these conditions, they'll produce lots of lush growth but few flowers.

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