Nasturtium Companion Vegetables: A Guide to Growing and Caring for These Beautiful Plants

Oleh Anonymous February 01, 2023 Post a Comment

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When it comes to growing vegetables, many gardeners know the value of companion planting. Companion planting is the practice of planting different plants together that benefit each other in some way. One such plant that makes an excellent companion to many vegetables is the nasturtium. In this article, we'll take a closer look at what nasturtiums are, why they make excellent companion plants, and how to grow and care for them.

What Are Nasturtiums?

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are beautiful annual plants that produce vibrant flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. They are easy to grow and can be planted from seed directly in the ground or in containers. Nasturtiums prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. They also prefer well-draining soil and don't require much water once established.

Why Nasturtiums Make Excellent Companion Plants

One of the main reasons nasturtiums make excellent companion plants is because they attract beneficial insects to your garden. Nasturtiums produce nectar that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can help increase the yield of your vegetable crops. In addition, nasturtiums also repel harmful insects like aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles, which can damage your vegetable plants.

Nasturtium Companion Vegetables

So, which vegetables make the best companions for nasturtiums? Here are some of the most popular options:

Tomatoes

Nasturtiums make excellent companions for tomatoes. They repel aphids, which can be a common pest for tomato plants. In addition, the bright flowers of nasturtiums can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden, which can help increase the yield of your tomato plants.

Cucumbers

Cucumber beetles can be a major problem for cucumber plants, but nasturtiums can help repel them. Nasturtiums also attract beneficial insects that can help pollinate your cucumber plants, leading to a higher yield.

Squash

Squash bugs can be a major problem for squash plants, but nasturtiums can help keep them at bay. In addition, nasturtiums can also attract pollinators that will help increase the yield of your squash plants.

Growing and Caring for Nasturtiums

Now that you know why nasturtiums make excellent companion plants, let's take a closer look at how to grow and care for them.

Planting Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums can be planted from seed directly in the ground or in containers. They prefer well-draining soil and full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Plant nasturtium seeds about 1/2 inch deep and water them regularly until they germinate.

Caring for Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums don't require much care once established. They prefer drier soil and don't need much water. It's also important to deadhead your nasturtiums regularly to encourage more blooms.

Nasturtium Recipes

Did you know that nasturtiums are edible? In addition to being beautiful companion plants, nasturtiums can also be used in salads and other recipes. Here are some ideas:

Nasturtium Salad

To make a simple nasturtium salad, combine fresh nasturtium leaves and flowers with mixed greens, sliced cucumber, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and serve.

Nasturtium Pesto

To make a delicious nasturtium pesto, blend fresh nasturtium leaves and flowers with garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Serve over pasta or spread on bread.

FAQs

Q: Can I grow nasturtiums indoors?

A: Yes, nasturtiums can be grown indoors as long as they receive plenty of sunlight.

Q: How often should I water my nasturtiums?

A: Nasturtiums don't need much water once established. Water them when the soil is dry to the touch.

Q: Are nasturtiums deer-resistant?

A: No, nasturtiums are not deer-resistant.

Q: Do I need to fertilize my nasturtiums?

A: Nasturtiums don't require much fertilizer. If you do fertilize, use a balanced fertilizer once a month.

Q: How do I deadhead my nasturtiums?

A: To deadhead your nasturtiums, simply pinch off spent blooms at the base of the stem.

Great, let's get ed then! To begin with, it's worth noting that nasturtiums are a wonderful addition to any vegetable garden. These bright and colorful flowers not only add beauty to your garden, but they also serve an important purpose as companion plants to many vegetables.

One of the key benefits of planting nasturtiums alongside other vegetables is their ability to repel pests. Nasturtiums contain compounds that are unappealing to many common garden pests, such as aphids and whiteflies. This means that by planting nasturtiums with your vegetables, you can help to protect them from these destructive insects.

In addition to pest control, nasturtiums can also improve the overall health of your vegetable plants. They are known to attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which prey on harmful pests. Additionally, nasturtiums have been shown to release compounds into the soil that can help to deter harmful soil-borne diseases.

So, what are some good companion vegetables to plant with nasturtiums? Some great options include tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and peppers. These vegetables all benefit from the pest-repelling properties of nasturtiums, and the colorful flowers can add a pop of color to your garden.

When planting your nasturtiums, be sure to space them out evenly around your vegetable plants. Aim for one nasturtium plant per foot of garden bed. You can plant them directly in the ground or in pots if you prefer. Just be sure to choose a location that gets plenty of sun, as nasturtiums love warm, sunny conditions.

Overall, planting nasturtiums with your vegetables is a simple and effective way to improve the health and productivity of your garden. Give it a try this growing season and see the benefits for yourself! Hello there! How can I assist you today?