Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Nasturtium ‘Jewel Mix’ is prized in the garden for its brilliant two-inch blooms of variegated peachy orange, canary yellow, blood-carmine and salmon-colored shades. For centuries, Nasturtiums have been grown for eating; the young seed pods, leaves and flowers are all entirely edible with peppery-floral flavor notes. Use in a salad as a topper upon a bed of Buttercrunch Lettuce, or simply grow for its beauty & pollinator benefits along side other important flowering plants like Common Milkweed.
Nasturtiums have a ground-vining and trailing growth habit, meaning they like to spread outwards as far as 6 feet if adequate room is given, however the growth habit can be controlled by cutting them back. This easy to grow variety attracts pollinators, yet it is resistant to pests like deer and even does well in minor droughts. Grow Nasturtiums in hanging baskets, window boxes, large pots or garden beds for a low maintenance pop of color.
NAME: Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
VARIETY: Jewel Mix (multi-color)
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 2 – 11
PLANT TYPE: Annual
STRATIFICATION: Not required
DAYS TO MATURITY: 55 – 65 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Average, sandy or well-draining soils with a soil pH 6.3 – 7.5
PLANT HEIGHT: 10 – 14 inches
SPACING: 16 – 24 inches
TEMP: 50 – 90 °F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
It is not recommended to start Nasturtium seeds indoors due to their delicate roots that do not do well with transplanting.
If you still need to start your Nasturtium seeds indoors, fill seedling trays or biodegradable pots with a well-draining potting mix. Plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep and about 1 inch apart. Water the soil thoroughly after planting.
Place the trays or pots in a warm location with plenty of sunlight.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination usually occurs within 7-10 days.
Once the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted outdoors.
Two weeks after your last local frost or when the soil consistently reaches 60°F, you may direct seed the nasturtium seeds outdoors.
Soak your seeds in water for 12 hours before planting to decrease germination time.
Sow seeds 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart in rows spaced 30 inches apart.
You may also grow nasturtiums in large pots and allow them to droop over, which looks great for hanging plants or off balconies.
Keep the soil consistently moist and seedlings will emerge in 7 to 12 days.
Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they get to be 6 inches tall.
Prepare your soil bed by removing any weeds or rocks; if your soil is extremely poor you can add some compost to boost fertility.
Nasturtiums prefer dry, well-draining soil.
Nasturtiums have a clumping growth habit, however if left unchecked they begin to vine horizontally along the ground and expand outwards; you may cut back growth to desired lengths if they begin to overcrowd nearby plants.
Both the leaves and flowers of nasturtiums are edible and can be harvested for culinary use.
Harvest leaves and flowers as needed throughout the growing season. Younger leaves are more palatable and tender than older ones.
Use scissors to snip off individual leaves or flowers, or gently pinch them off by hand.
Avoid harvesting more than half of the plant at a time to ensure continued growth and flowering.
