Companion FlowersTropaeolaceae

Nasturtium.

Warm seasonEdible flowersTrap crop

At a glance

The spec sheet.

Direct sow / out: May 15
Germ: 7–14 days
Days to harvest: 50 to bloom
Spacing: 12"
Depth: ½"
Square-foot: 1 per square (spreads)
Qty target: 6–12 scattered throughout beds — especially near squash, cucumbers, and beans.

Plant

Direct sow — nasturtiums resent transplanting. Poor soil suits them best — rich soil produces leaves instead of flowers.

Care

NO fertilizer. Full sun. Trailing varieties will cascade off raised beds and around cucurbits.

Harvest

Peppery leaves and flowers both edible — pepper-cress flavor in salads. Green seed pods can be pickled as capers.

Preserve

Fresh only for eating. Pickle green seed pods for 'poor man's capers.'

Companion planting

Good neighbors

Avoid nearby

Trap crop for aphids — they'll swarm nasturtiums instead of your vegetables. Sacrifice the nasturtiums to save the crop.