Hey fellow gardening enthusiasts! I'm looking for some advice on how to best plant nasturtiums in my little NW-facing garden in South Wales. I typically grow them in a sunny window box after the crocuses fade, getting around 6-8 hours of direct sunlight during summer. However, my only border is on the north side next to a wall, which isn't ideal for planting. I know these flowers prefer poor soil, so I usually try to sow them where the bulbs have been since they like to thrive on that. I've had mixed success with starting from seed indoors, but I heard they don't like their roots disturbed, which makes me lean towards direct sowing. Unfortunately, my direct sowing attempt last year didn't fare well—maybe it was the conditions or the method. I'd love to hear how everyone else gets great nasturtium displays in pots or window boxes, tips on sowing, and general care. Thanks a bunch! ?
1 Answer
From my experience, nasturtiums thrive when self-sown. Last year, I had an amazing spread along my gravel driveway, climbing over a low fence—by season's end, they were about 10m long! Direct sowing is usually the way to go, but if you’re working with limited seeds of a specific variety, consider starting them in 9cm pots and transplanting before the roots get too tangled. Just be gentle with the move!
Absolutely! We planted nasturtiums our first year here, and three years later, they’re still popping up everywhere, serving as both gorgeous flowers and a delicious salad addition.