Growing Nasturtiums: The Beauty and Benefits

One of my favorite edible garden plants! If I could describe them using words only, I would say they are like a big cluster of miniature lily pads growing up from the ground. Or like a bunch of fairy sized umbrellas, hovering over a secret hidden world down below. They blooms are edible and grow in shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. They love the warm climate here in 8b/9a and thrive in a small amount of space. They do very well in baskets or raised beds and come in bush type or trailing types. The type growing below is Dwarf Jewel.

I grew my very first legitimate garden back in 2017. And that was when I first fell in love with Nasturtiums. You can see in the photo below in the center left side they are very happy in that spot and grow quite tall. Eventually the watermelons growing nearby crept into the nasturtiums space, but they still did very well. They grow best in full sun and will flower continuously through the season. Deadheading (removing dying or dead flowers) helps allow more flowers to grow successively, but decreases the amount of seeds that will grow. If you want to collect seeds, leaving the flower heads on the plant will allow seeds to grow and you can collect the seeds to save for the next seasons planting.

The seeds are large and easy to handle. They are a great choice for the small hands of children. Many seed companies recommend pre-soaking or scratching the seed coats prior to sowing. In my experience, neither method is necessary, and the seeds will germinate in the same amount of time given the right amount of water and warmth.

Every part of the plant is edible and the flowers and leaves are used in the culinary and pâtissier industry. They have a very earthy, minty & peppery flavor. The flowers and foliage liven up salads with freshly picked leaves and flowers, and beautify cakes with colorful buds and blooms directly from your garden. You can always add a flower to any plate or drink to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Find the above image and more information on how to use Nasturtiums in your kitchen at this link: https://askthefoodgeek.com/nasturtium/