Growing nasturtiums (Tropaeolum) in your garden: practical advice

Do nasturtiums grow back every year?

Unless the so-called natural seedlings, from the seeds of previous years, make them appear spontaneously in the beds and flowerbeds the following year. Or, in the case of marigolds, if the winter is very mild, which gives them a few months of respite.

Why are my nasturtiums dying?

In our latitudes, the nasturtium is an annual and undemanding plant. This means that it grows from seed every year and produces everything that is needed to produce seeds (flowers). Moreover, as nasturtium is not frost resistant, it dies quickly when winter arrives.

When do nasturtiums appear?

It blooms from June until frost and is easy to grow. The nasturtium, which is edible, has flowers and leaves rich in vitamin C. Its fruit can be used instead of capers.

Do nasturtiums climb?

There are dwarf and compact nasturtiums, as wide as they are tall (30-40 cm), but also climbing nasturtiums whose stems crawl or climb up to 3 m high on supports. Nasturtiums have long, hairless and brittle stems which are very abundant in climbing plants.

How to avoid aphids on nasturtiums?

As these orange flowers naturally attract aphids, it is advisable to use preventive methods (black soap, manure) and the presence of their natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings, etc.) to get rid of these numerous pests.

Which nasturtiums to choose?

The most popular of these are Tom Thumb, which can produce red, yellow or orange flowers, and Peach Melba, which works well in a window box or flower bed. Empress of India, with its beautiful scarlet flowers, has the distinction of being a carpet plant.

Why do nasturtium leaves turn yellow?

Yellowing of the leaves can be the result of sunburn. Keep young nasturtiums out of the sun on hot days. Nasturtiums often turn yellow if the soil in which they grow is regularly waterlogged.

How to get nasturtium flowers?

Nasturtiums are as easy to grow in pots as in the ground. You can sow earlier in March and keep the pots under cover before transplanting in May, or sow outdoors around mid-April. In this case, sow the seeds in rows of 4 or 5 in the same hole.

How to harvest nasturtium seeds?

It is best to let them dry on the ground and harvest them just before they fall off by themselves when they are ripe. By this time, their colour has naturally changed from green to brown. Fresh seeds will gradually lose their excess moisture, hence the wilting observed.

What does the nasturtium flower look like?

Tricolor nasturtium, Tropaeolum tricolor, is a semi-hardy perennial. The leaves, which cover long spreading stems, are palmate and the small tubular flowers are bright red and purple with a yellow center.

What type of exposure for nasturtiums?

Ideal soil and exposure for growing nasturtiums in the garden. Nasturtiums adapt to all types of soil, especially poor soil, as long as you give them a warm, sunny position. However, it is best to grow it in cool, well-maintained soil.

Where to plant nasturtiums in the vegetable garden?

Nasturtiums 'Florissimo' sown at the edge of the vegetable garden, next to rows of chicory and beans. The advantage: they are a lure for aphids because they attract them. You will get a border of about 25-30 cm. Tip: remove the aphid-covered leaves and destroy them.

Nasturtiums are easy-to-grow annuals that bring a touch of color to the garden. To take full advantage of their abundant flowering, it's important to take good care of them. Your nasturtiums may not grow back every year, as they are annual plants that die after flowering and producing seeds. If your nasturtiums die even before flowering, it may be due to a lack of water or unsuitable exposure. Aphids can also invade leaves and flower buds, but you can avoid this problem by spraying your plants with a mixture of water and black soap. To keep your plants in bloom all summer long, remember to cut back wilted stems regularly, and water regularly without wetting the foliage, to avoid fungal diseases. If you follow these simple tips, you'll be sure to have beautiful nasturtiums in your garden!