Start These 7 Gorgeous Spring Flowers from Seed Today!

5. Growing Nasturtiums: The Perfect Flower for Edible Gardens

A photo of a few nasturtium flowers in a garden. The flowers are orange and yellow, with a few yellow flowers in the background. The leaves are large and green. The background contains a few other plants.

Why I Fell in Love with Nasturtiums

Let me tell you about my first experience with nasturtiums – it was a total game-changer! I was looking for flowers that could jazz up my salads, and these beauties literally transformed my garden into an edible paradise. Nasturtiums are probably the most forgiving flowers I’ve ever grown, and trust me, I’ve killed my fair share of plants over the years!

Choosing Between Trailing and Bush Varieties

Here’s something I learned the hard way – not all nasturtiums are created equal! The trailing varieties can cascade up to 8 feet if you give them the chance, while bush types stay neat and compact. I once planted trailing nasturtiums in a small container without support, and let’s just say my patio looked like it was being invaded by a flowering octopus!

For containers, I usually stick with varieties like ‘Alaska’ or ‘Jewel Mix’ which stay relatively compact. But if you’ve got a fence or trellis begging for some color, the ‘Tall Climbing Mix’ will become your best friend.

The “Poor Soil” Secret

Want to know what’s absolutely wild about nasturtiums? They actually prefer poor soil! I remember feeling so guilty the first time I read this – I’d been pampering them with my best compost for years. Turns out, when you plant nasturtiums in rich soil, you’ll get tons of leaves but fewer flowers. Now I just use regular garden soil, and they bloom like crazy!

Companion Planting Magic

Let me share my favorite gardening hack: nasturtiums make incredible companion plants. I plant them near my:

Tomatoes (they deter whiteflies)
Cucumbers (they help with pest control)
Squash (they attract pollinators)
Cabbage family (they confuse cabbage butterflies)

Container Growing Tips

After years of experimenting, here’s what I’ve found works best for container growing:

Use 12-inch deep containers minimum
Ensure excellent drainage (I learned this one the hard way!)
Direct sow the seeds – they hate being transplanted
Space seeds about 4 inches apart
Water deeply but infrequently

Harvesting and Using

The entire nasturtium plant is edible! I love adding the peppery flowers to salads, but don’t sleep on the leaves – they pack even more flavor! My favorite party trick is stuffing the flowers with herbed cream cheese. The seed pods can even be pickled as a substitute for capers – how cool is that?

Ready to discover another amazing spring flower that’s just as versatile? Click the “next” button below to learn all about Bachelor’s Buttons, also known as cornflowers. I can’t wait to share how these charming blue blooms can transform your garden into a butterfly haven! Plus, I’ve got some amazing tips for using them in dried flower arrangements that’ll last all year long.