This little clump of three volunteer nasturtiums have elicited more interest and questions than anything in my garden. Until recently, I had never had any success with this little annual. I've always planted them from seed but would get a weak stand - and often the few seedlings I had would die before they had a chance to really grow and bloom. Although nasturtiums bloom in the spring, you need to plant them in the Fall - and now I always follow my friend Jean Anne's rule: Plant your seed before Halloween or forget about it until next year. The seed is extra hard, so a good overnight soaking is my second nasturtium rule.
I do wish I had gotten around to fertilizing things this spring - the pretty round leaves would look much nicer if they were greener . . . without intending to I seem to have an EarthKind garden. . . .
This little clump of three volunteer nasturtiums have elicited more interest and questions than anything in my garden. Until recently, I had never had any success with this little annual. I've always planted them from seed but would get a weak stand - and often the few seedlings I had would die before they had a chance to really grow and bloom. Although nasturtiums bloom in the spring, you need to plant them in the Fall - and now I always follow my friend Jean Anne's rule: Plant your seed before Halloween or forget about it until next year. The seed is extra hard, so a good overnight soaking is my second nasturtium rule.
I do wish I had gotten around to fertilizing things this spring - the pretty round leaves would look much nicer if they were greener . . . without intending to I seem to have an EarthKind garden. . . .
6 comments:
Love your nasturtiums, a favorite of mine. Can't wait for the weather to warm up here ... do you enjoy eating them as much as I do?
Hi Mary Beth,
I planted nasturtiums from seed this for the first time ever. i put them in with the veggies. The plants look great (much like yours) only without any flowers. I just have lots of green nasturtium leaves. Any idea what's going on? Just thought you might know since yours are so pretty! Nice rounded clumps of pretty!!!
i thought nasturtiums liked poor soil - without any fertilizer. betsy
i meant to add in my last comment that they won't bloom if they have been fertilized. have you jeard this? betsy
JOEY - I have to admit I've never eaten them. Maybe you can tell me the best part for a salad - leaves or flowers?
HEY MEEMS - I'll bet they look great with your veggies. But then your veggie beds look better than many of my ornamental beds! You'll have to post a picture with them. Did you read Betsy's comments below? They like poor soil without any fertilizer. Maybe your soil is too fertile there. . . .
BETSY - I have heard that they like poor soil and my nasturtiums are a testament to that. They are in heavy clay - pale in color. I hadn't heard not to fertilize them - maybe that's why they look good year after year!
love today's blog, Mary Beth! could you show us the succulents growing in that great big tree near the resaca in your backyard? i'd love to see them again.
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