Nasturtiums — The Hobbyist Home: Garden and Crafts for a More Sustainable home

*‘The Empress of India’ Nasturtium mounded against a small monolith in our flower garden*

Over the last few years my love affair with nasturtiums has deepened. What’s not to love? Their striking red-orange blooms set against bright green lily pad like foliage that you find holding a drop of dew on summer mornings, the whole plant is just breathtaking. Even more wonderful is that it’s edible and makes a colorful addition to salads and dips! The flavor is peppery- hence the Latin name literally translating to “Nose-twist” (Online etymology dictionary). It can be eaten raw, or seed pods can be pickled. You can also dry up and ground the seeds into a pepper substitute. Nasturtium has been used and studied for its nutritional, as well as medicinal value for years. It is known to be high in antioxidants and vitamin C, as well as be a good source of micro elements (think potassium, calcium and magnesium), and an even better source of the macoelements (zinc, copper and iron). Because of these facts it has been used for remedies related to respiratory ailments and skin and hair health (NIH)

*Nasturtium (‘Glorious Gleams’), with a Japanese beetle, planning mass destruction.*

In addition to being a tasty showstopper, it makes a wonderful sacrificial plant or “trap crop”. Of course, in that case they may not be as pretty or easy to eat but can help to prevent you from reaching for a spray, making your vegetables healthier for you. When using it as such, it can draw aphids away from your veggies, which is amazingly helpful because if you have a vegetable, there’s likely an aphid for that.

There is a multitude of colors and varieties of nasturtiums out there with trailing types and bush types, so they can be used in a variety of garden spaces. The first nasturtium I planted was “The Empress of India” organic seeds from Johnny’s selected seeds, which are as beautiful as they sound. I think this variety is the most familiar and what you think of when you visualize nasturtiums. It’s a mounded type and it was very easy to grow. Johnny’s also has a beautiful mixed color called “Alaska Mix” with varying shades of orange and dusky pinks.

This year I will also be planting the “Glorious Gleam Nasturtiums” from Hudson Valley Seeds. It’s a trailing type and I can’t wait to plant it up the garden fence and maybe try growing it from hanging pots. I hope to also try “Spit fire” one day, as the name implies it is a fiery orange-red and is a climbing variety. I believe Renee’s garden carries this heirloom variety.

*Kale & Kohlrabi salad with nasturtiums as a garnish, feast your eyes.*

There are so many different shades out there including deep burgundy, peach, white, yellow, and variegated. If you’re looking to try one, I know you can find a nasturtium to suit your tastes and space.

Choosing your space:

-Nasturtiums like full sun (6-8 hours) for optimal flowering, they will tolerate part sun (3-6), but will not bloom as much.

-Soil should be well draining without too much nitrogen, as this will also decrease flowering.

-Sow ½” deep and 10-12 inches apart, as nasturtiums require darkness for germination.

-Both bush and trailing varieties can be grown in containers.

- When considering your trailing nasturtiums, keep in mind they will reach for the sun, so you can train them upward, but be sure to provide support. This provides a great design element to the garden.

When to plant:

-Wait until all danger of frost has past, as they were originally discovered in the jungles of Peru and Mexico (University of Wisconsin).

-Soil temperatures should be consistently above 55 degrees.

Continued Care:

-Nasturtiums will continue to bloom into the fall if well cared for. This includes dead heading and regular watering.

-Growing in containers, prune back to promote growth and prevent overcrowding.

-Because they are a trap crop you may get some aphids or big whites, but honestly, even when I’ve had pests they almost never destroy the plant. You can cover with a row protector when young to give them a leg up. In the early mornings I take a walk through my garden to inspect plants when bugs are sluggish. Scrape off who you can, but know your bug! It may be a beneficial pollinator.