Why Grow Nasturtium From Seed?
This hardy annual needs to be sown between March and June outdoors for flowering from June to September. These flowers are also edible and will flower in perfect time to be a key ingredient to your summer salads!
Nasturtiums have stunning, symmetrical blooms that come in a massive range of shapes, sizes and colours. They'll be covered in flowers throughout the growing season, making them real value for money. Suttons' superb range of Nasturtiums seeds includes the exotic-sounding ‘Peach Melba’ and the ‘Dayglow mix’; a mix of hot colours that's ideal for hanging baskets. Another that warrants a mention is ‘Little Gem’ with happy looking yellow and red flowers.
Germinating Nasturtium Seeds
For hanging baskets and containers, sow in a greenhouse or on a windowsill and acclimatise to conditions before planting outside.
Sowing nasturtium seeds
Sow seeds direct into borders where they are to grow in a prepared seedbed with a fine tilth, 25cm apart. Alternatively, grow in tray cells for transplanting into containers. If growing in a propagator use a reputable peat-free compost.
Planting nasturtium out
Nasturtiums like a nice sunny position but also can take partial shade, this gives options when siting in the garden. The plants will germinate and grow quickly. A Liquid feed of Seaweed extract as they start to grow will make for a strong, robust plant. It acts as a tonic and will aid resistance to pest and disease. Maintain moisture when plants are young. These plants will grow in fertile soils .
Caring for nasturtiums
Keep free of weeds by gently hoeing or hand weeding around the plants as their stems are tender. Nasturtiums make great groundcover, especially 'Jewel of Africa' or 'Empress of India', and will help suppress weeds as they increase in size. Pick off dead heads if time allows although this isn't absolutely essential. Trim back foliage if the plant becomes too large or scruffy. The flowers, as well as being edible, can also be used as cut flowers.
Feeding nasturtiums
A Potash feed as the plants go into flower is a good idea but just the one as best to avoid too much fertiliser as soil that is too rich may cause the plant produces masses of leaves at the expense of flowers.
