Nasturtiums are a great addition to the garden.nasturtiums provide a beautiful splash of color with their leaves, seeds and flowers.They have a pleasant taste, and are full of vitamins C and E.
Step 1: You can choose a suitable nasturtium variety.
The variety will depend on what you expect from the nasturtium, as well as the space you have available.The flowers are in shades of orange, yellow and red and should flower all summer.It's an ideal plant to train up a fence.A small bush nasturtium is better for a smaller garden space.It is easy to control in the garden and has a wide range of flower shades.A popular addition to salads, Peach Melba has yellow flowers with orange-red centers.The Salmon Baby looks great in the garden.
Step 2: Consider starting seeds indoors.
Nasturtiums are usually started indoors so they can flower in the spring after the last frost has passed.Four to six weeks before the last spring frost is the ideal time to start seeds indoors.To start the seeds indoors, plant them in a pot that can be moved to the ground to avoid disturbing the roots.Potting soil can be used instead of seed substrate.The seeds should be kept in a bright window.After the last frost of the spring, plant the seedlings.
Step 3: A good planting spot should be chosen.
Nasturtiums need to be protected from midday summer heat.Nasturtiums are great for growing in areas that need covering up or being ignored in your garden.Nasturtiums grow just as well in a container as they do in the ground.Hanging baskets are a great choice.
Step 4: The soil needs to be prepared.
Nasturtiums are loose and well-drained.Don't usefertilizer because they prefer soil that is not rich.If there is too much nitrogen in the soil, nasturtiums focus on producing leaves instead of flowers.
Step 5: After the last frost, sow or transplant your seeds.
If you're sowing seeds directly, plant them 10 inches apart and 12 inch deep.If you want to plant them directly in the ground, keep them in their peat seed starter.root damage will be prevented by this.The planting bed should be moist.You can nick the seeds or soak them in warm water to help them grow quickly.In seven to ten days, direct sown seeds should start to grow.
Step 6: Only when the soil is dry.
"Be nasty to nasturtiums" is an old saying.Giving them a lot of fresh water will cause them to die because they like poor soil.When the soil dries out, nasturtiums need water.They should be watered a few times a week.If you press your finger into the soil, you'll know if it's time to water.It's time if the soil feels dry and dusty.Wait a day or two if it feels moist just below the surface.Water around the roots.The plants need water in the morning to dry out.Plants can grow mold if there is too much humidity around nightfall.
Step 7: Carefully remove the weeds.
Nasturtiums look like weeds before they bloom.If you accidentally pull up the seedlings, you may want to mark the planting site with a label.If you don't know what a flower and a weed is, keep the garden bed weed-free.
Step 8: Pick off insects.
Nasturtiums are prone to getting attacked by pests in the garden.Picking the bugs off one by one and dropping them into a pail of soapy water is an organic solution.The flowers can be sprayed with water or wiped with soapy water.Many gardeners plant nasturtium on the borders of their gardens to keep pests away from their crops.Gardeners who use this method should check the plant once a week to make sure it is free of pests.
Step 9: Remove dead or faded flowers.
New, healthy growth will be encouraged by this.Deadhead the plants in order to keep them flowering.
Step 10: You can harvest the flowers and leaves.
Both flowers and leaves can be eaten.You can use a pair of scissors.Don't take too much from one plant.A small amount of Nasturtiums goes a long way.
Step 11: The nasturtiums can be used in salads.
Nasturtium petals and leaves have a strong, peppery taste that pairs wonderfully with all sorts of dishes.As part of a mixed green salad, eat the leaves and petals of nasturtium.To counteract the peppery taste, pair them with sweeter greens.Potato or egg salad can be made with chopped leaves or petals.You can add leaves or petals to vegetarian sandwiches.Whole flowers can be used in salads, pastas, and even desserts.
Step 12: The seeds need to be saved for next year.
nasturtiums will produce seeds at the end of the growing season.Store the seeds in a paper bag in the dark during the winter.You can plant them again in the spring.