Nasturtiums aren’t just for looks! While their colorful blossoms and vibrant leaves liven up any garden, border or window box, did you know they’re also edible!?
They add a spicy kick to salads, make a beautiful cocktail accoutrement, and look lovely on a cake or hors d’oeuvre plate! We’ve also heard the leaves make a punchy peppery pesto! We’re going to try that out for ourselves next year, but if you beat us to it, we’d love for you to share your recipe!
Your sustainable swag contains 3 different Nasturtium varieties - Cherry Rose (fuschia), Spitfire (hot orange), Jewel Mix (combination of white, yellow, orange, red, and pink). These varieties range from 18-60”H x 12”W.
To plant your nasturtiums in the spring:
As soon as the ground has thawed, soak the seeds for 12-24 hour. Then push each seed 1/2” down into the soil. Can we be honest for a min? If you’re short on time / not keen on the fuss of gardening we’ve had great success with broadcasting a few over the soil and sprinkling with a handful of mulch!
You could also plant your nasturtiums now, in the fall. We have done this many times also following the methods above, both with great success. You just have to remember where you sow them, so that in the spring you don’t dig up the area where they are beginning to germinate!
If you enjoy these Nasturtiums, leave approximately 30% of the plant intact, and allow some flowers to go to seed. Wait until the seeds are about 1/4” diameter, harvest, dry, and store. Repeat your planting next year, and for many years after, without ever having to buy another packet of seeds! Now that’s sustainable - for your wallet and the reduced carbon footprint of seed packets you’ll avoid purchasing!
A few tips about Nasturtiums:
They love bright light and well drained soil. These conditions produce the most flowers. However, they’re quite happy in the shade and other soils as well, they just have fewer blossoms and more foliage.
From planting to germination is typically 7-10 days, and to harvest 55-60 days, depending on sun, soil and water.
There are many varieties, including some that grow on 7-8’ vines, and some that have variegated leaves and flowers.