![]() ![]() The sowing medium should be well drained as well. They require poor soils, which will promote more blooms. Nasturtium will thrive in areas of full sunlight, with temperatures of at least 65F or higher. Transplant entire pots, or direct sow outdoors when the weather has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. Sow the seeds at a depth of 1/2” under topsoil. Peat pots will help prevent root shock when transplanted. If started indoors, sow the seeds in peat pots, 6 to 8 weeks prior to the last forst. Once this has been done, you can sow the seeds either indoors, or directly outdoors. Nick the seeds with a knife, or sandpaper and soak them in warm water overnight. Nasturtium seeds have a tough outer shell, which can be scarified to improve germination. this South American vine contains high amounts of Benzyl isothiocyanate, which "inhibits or kills gram-positive and negative bacteria and fungi." Nasturtium is also used for acne, skin and mouth lesions.Īs with all herbal remedies, use caution, and check with your doctor to make sure concentrated infusions of nasturtium won't conflict with your current medications or physical condition. Teas made from leaves or flowers are traditionally used as an expectorant and laxative.Īccording to AnthroMed Library article Portrait of a Medicinal Plant - Tropaeolum majus L. It's known to ease respiratory and urinary infections and is widely used as a topical antiseptic. Nasturtium is native to Peru and Chile, where it's long been cherished as a medicinal plant. The broad, round leaves can be stuffed similar to dolmas, but with a more delicate texture.Īre your nasturtiums thriving beyond your expectations? Clip the tender shoots at the ends of vines to add crunch to salads, sandwiches, and soups.įinally, "poor man's capers" are the nickname for pickled nasturtium seeds. Look online to find out how to stuff fresh blooms with your favorite herbed cream cheeses, or to select among many nasturtium leaf "pesto" recipes. Add them to salads, or as a garnish to summer drinks. Nasturtium flowers and leaves are edible, with a mild, peppery flavor often related as "hot watercress". They soften corners in enclosed outdoor areas, especially vegetable gardens fenced for deer. Add drama to group plantings by allowing nasturtium's 24 to 60 inch vines to cascade over rock walls or over the lip of large pots.Ĭlimbing cover-up: Do you have an unattractive wall or fence you'd like to hide? Nasturtium will climb rough or trellised surfaces without overly aggressive suckering. Some gardeners make infusions from nasturtium leaves and soap flakes to spray on aphid-infested plants.Ĭascading container plants: As they're not as sensitive to drying out as many other ornamentals, nasturtium does well in container plantings and rock gardens. They're known to attract aphids away from more sensitive plants, and some report that aphids die after munching on nasturtium. Pest repellant: Plant nasturtium around your vegetable beds to help repel whiteflies, beetles, and squash bugs. Avoid overly damp soil, as this will reduce flowering on your nasturtium plants. Do you have a spot in full sun or partial shade you haven't gotten around to cultivating? Once established, you can continue to neglect those out-of-the-way spots these bright, spreading plants will do just fine with sparse watering. Ground cover: Nasturtium thrives in average, sandy, dry soils. Nasturtiums are annuals that can spread up to 60" in any direction they make excellent climbers, cascades and lateral ground covers.įew things are as beautiful as a drift of bright green nasturtium leaves holding perfectly round beads of rain after a summer shower. ![]() Like all nasturtium, Double Gleam's large, round matte green leaves and delicate tendrils provide layers of color, shape, and shade to edgings. Our Double Gleam mixes help you bring warm, vibrant hues of reds, yellows, and golds to your landscape and vegetable garden. The ruffle-textured double- and semi-doubled petals of this variety set Double Gleam apart from standard smooth-petaled nasturtium. They're happy to sprawl along garden borders and, from late spring until first frost, benefit neighboring plants as well as your summer menu. Fast growing and hardy, nasturtiums thrive in poorer soils. Are you looking for a flowering ground cover for that neglected corner of the garden? Do you want a pest-repelling companion plant that's also edible, ornamental and valued as an herbal remedy?ĭouble Gleam nasturtium, for all its delicate beauty, is a tough contender for the gardener who wants their plants to pull their weight. ![]()
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