Hey everyone! I'm a novice gardener and tried planting nasturtiums this summer. The seed packet recommended soaking the seeds overnight before planting, which I did, but unfortunately, none of them germinated. I'm wondering if there's a specific trick to successfully growing nasturtiums in North Texas that I'm missing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Another method to consider is scoring your seeds. Lightly scrubbing them with sandpaper can help break the seed coat, which might improve germination rates. Just remember that leaving seeds too long in damp soil could lead to rot, so keep an eye on moisture levels!
Have you considered the temperature when you planted them? Nasturtiums thrive in mild weather, ideally between 55°F and 70°F for germination. For North Texas, that means planting around late winter or early spring, like April 1st for best results. They generally struggle in the heat and may die off by July, but there's hope—the ones that survive can rebound and bloom again in the fall!
I live up north by the Great Lakes, and my nasturtiums usually struggle in the peak summer heat but tend to bounce back around this time of year. In Texas, your timing seems to align with the late winter for planting and late fall for potential re-blooming!
I might try planting some in October along with my bachelor buttons that I'm overwintering. Do you usually soak your seeds too?