People who have been to my winter garden before know and love the nasturtiums that I planted in the cement blocks of my garden border. Nasturtiums are an easy-to-grow flower that can add bright pops of color to your garden and a spicy kick to your salad.
Nasturtiums are a beloved flower for any garden, but how many should you plant per square foot in a square foot garden? Getting the spacing right is key to growing healthy, productive plants. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about planting nasturtiums in a square foot garden
Spacing is Crucial
When planting nasturtiums in a square foot garden, the recommended spacing is one plant per square foot. This allows each plant adequate room to grow without competing for resources.
Nasturtiums thrive when given proper spacing. Planting them too closely together can result in weak, spindly growth as they stretch and lean toward sunlight. It also inhibits air circulation which can lead to fungal diseases.
Follow These Planting Steps:
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Decide which square(s) you want to devote to nasturtiums, You can plant one per square or group several squares together for a bigger nasturtium patch
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Prepare the soil by mixing in compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and nutrition. Nasturtiums prefer moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
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Plant 1 nasturtium seed in the center of each square you’ve chosen. Dig a small hole 1/2 inch deep and place the seed in the hole before covering with soil.
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Gently water after planting and keep the soil moist until seeds germinate, which usually takes 7-14 days.
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Once seedlings emerge, you can thin to 1 plant per square by snipping off any extras with scissors. Handle seedlings gently when thinning.
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Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry and fertilize lightly with compost or organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
Benefits as Companion Plants
An added benefit of nasturtiums is that they make great companion plants for other vegetables and flowers. Their pungent scent helps deter pests like aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, and cabbage loopers.
They attract beneficial predatory insects as well, like ladybugs, which prey on harmful garden pests. Plus, their trailing growth habit makes them excellent choices for planted along borders and edges.
Feel free to get creative and interplant nasturtiums among other crops. Just be sure to maintain the 1 plant per square foot spacing to prevent overcrowding.
Tips for Maximizing Growth
Here are some useful tips to help your nasturtiums thrive:
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Provide support for climbing varieties by trellising or using plant cages. This promotes upward rather than trailing growth.
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Pinch off spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Deadheading prevents seed production and redirects energy into new buds.
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Water at the base of plants rather than overhead to minimize fungus issues. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
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Use organic mulch like wood chips or shredded leaves around plants to retain moisture and control weeds.
Now Go Plant!
With the proper 1 plant per square foot spacing, your nasturtiums will flourish and add beauty to your square foot garden all season long. Their bright, edible flowers and pest deterring qualities make them a versatile, low-maintenance addition.
Follow these square foot gardening guidelines for success with nasturtiums. Before you know it, you’ll have a thriving patch adding visual appeal, companionship for other plants, and a punch of spice for your salads!
Choose the right location to plant nasturtiums
Grow nasturtiums in moist well-drained soil. Water well until plant is established and then provide regular water.
Nasturtiums like it cooler, so if you live in a warm place, grow plants in partial shade (4-6 hours of sun) to make their growing season last longer. In cool climates, plant nasturtiums in full sun.
This plant can grow in shady spots, poor soil, dry places, and other spots where other plants might not do well.
Nasturtiums are frost-sensitive; you may need to cover them during a frost event.
Grow nasturtiums as a companion plant
Nasturtiums are a great way to prevent pests organically. For instance, nasturtiums help repel squash bugs, whiteflies, and borers.
Tomatoes, radishes, squash, and fruit trees benefit from nasturtiums planted nearby. A “trap crop” is something that insects eat and lay their eggs in instead of other parts of the garden. Nasturtiums are one of these crops.
Nasturtiums: From Seed to Bloom
FAQ
How much room do nasturtiums need?
Do nasturtiums like to be crowded?
Can you plant nasturtiums close together?
How many nasturtiums should I plant?
How do you plant Nasturtium seeds?
Alternatively, large nasturtium seeds are simple to plant, and it’s easy to direct sow nasturtiums in the garden. Sow seeds in the garden 2 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds ½ to 1 inch deep and 5-6 inches apart. For square foot gardening, plant 1 per square. In the low desert of Arizona, plant nasturtiums from October through January.
How do you plant nasturtiums in Arizona?
Sow seeds in the garden 2 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds ½ to 1 inch deep and 5-6 inches apart. For square foot gardening, plant 1 per square. In the low desert of Arizona, plant nasturtiums from October through January. 2. Choose the right location to plant nasturtiums Grow nasturtiums in moist well-drained soil.
Do nasturtiums need full sun?
In cool climates, plant nasturtiums in full sun. This adaptable plant grows well in shady areas, poor soil, dry conditions, and areas where other plants may not grow. Nasturtiums are frost-sensitive; you may need to cover them during a frost event. 3. Choose the best type for your location
When should Nasturtium seeds be planted?
Start nasturtium seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, and wait to plant outside until all danger of frost is past. Alternatively, large nasturtium seeds are simple to plant, and it’s easy to direct sow nasturtiums in the garden. Sow seeds in the garden 2 weeks before the last frost. Plant seeds ½ to 1 inch deep and 5-6 inches apart.
Should I fertilize nasturtiums?
If you want an abundance of flowers, do not fertilize nasturtiums. Nutrient-rich soil grows plenty of green leaves, but not as many blooms. Removing faded blooms also encourages more flowers. Trim back container-grown nasturtiums to keep the plant tidy and producing flowers.
Are Nasturtiums a good ground cover?
Nasturtiums come in a range of colors and varieties including trailing, vining, and bush. Trailing varieties make an excellent ground cover i n shady spots and areas with poor soil. Trailing types can also be trained along a fence, cascade down from a container, or fill in a border.