Nasturtiums are an old-fashioned favorite in the flower garden, but many North Texas gardeners struggle to grow them successfully. Luckily, any gardener can overcome the challenge of growing naturtiums if they plant them at the right time. Here’s a quick guide to growing nasturtiums in North Texas:
Why you should add nasturtiums to your garden this year
Cool weather-loving nasturtiums are native to mountainous regions of Mexico, central Argentina, and Chile, and bloom in mid-to-late spring here in North Texas. May is typically the peak of blooming.
Nasturtiums are unique because their flowers, flower buds, leaves, and unripe seed pods are all edible. The peppery flavor makes them a wonderful addition to salads.
Available in both climbing and dwarf forms, nasturtium plants boast a wide range of blossom colors including white, red, pink, orange, and yellow.
When to plant nasturtiums in North Texas
The secret to growing nasturtiums successfully here in North Texas is to make sure that you plant them early enough. Nasturtiums are very sensitive to heat and will fail to thrive or bloom if planted too late in the year.
A good date for planting nasturtium seeds is February 14. It’s an easy day to remember and planting this early ensures that the plants have enough time to grow and mature before hotter weather arrives.
Starting nasturtiums by seed
Nasturtium transplants are availalble at local nurseries in the spring, but nasturtiums are so easy to start by seed that you should consider starting your own plants.
Seeds can be started indoors in early February, but because they can be difficult to transplant, it’s better to directly plant seeds in the garden between February 14 and March 1.
Where to plant
Choose a location in your garden that gets full sun or part sun. Be careful not to plant nasturtiums in soil that is too rich. Excess nitrogen will result in lots of foliage but not many flowers. If your soil is heavy and compacted, amend the area with expanded shale before planting.
Nasturtiums also grow well in containers. The sprawling nature of the climbing varieties make them excellent additions to window boxes or railing planters.
How to plant
It’s a good idea to soak seeds overnight before planting because nasturtium seeds have a hard seed coat. Soaking helps to soften seed coats for faster germination.
Plant seeds 8-12″ apart, 1/2-1″ deep. Make sure that the seeds are covered because they need darkness to germinate. Nasturtiums look best when planted in mass, so plan on planting as many as you have the space for.
Keep the area evenly moist until germination, and cover young seedlings when there is a threat of frost.
Care during the growing season
Though sometimes susceptible to spider mites, nasturtiums are rarely affected by insects and disease and don’t require additional fertilization.
Once the heat arrives in late June, plants will begin to fade. Plants sometimes make it through the summer into the fall if grown in areas of part-shade, but nasturtiums are best treated as spring annuals.
Where to buy nasturtium seeds
Nasturtium seeds are typically available at any nursery that sells vegetable and flower seeds, but I recommend calling ahead to make sure they have them in stock.
My favorite online sources for nasturtium seeds are Botanical Interests, Johnny’s Seeds, and Baker Creek Seeds.
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