The Ultimate Guide to Nasturtium Flowers Companion Planting

Oleh Anonymous May 24, 2023 Post a Comment

Table of Contents

Nasturtium Flowers: A Versatile and Beautiful Addition to Your Garden

If you're looking for a beautiful flowering plant that also happens to be a versatile addition to your garden, look no further than the nasturtium! These lovely flowers come in a variety of colors, from bright yellow to deep red, and they can be grown in practically any type of soil. But did you know that nasturtiums are also great companion plants? In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of nasturtium flowers companion planting, including how to use them to keep pests away and enhance the growth of other plants.

The Benefits of Nasturtium Flowers Companion Planting

Nasturtium flowers are an amazing addition to any garden, not just for their beauty, but also for their versatility. They have many benefits when used as companion plants, including:

1. Pest Control

One of the biggest benefits of nasturtium flowers companion planting is their ability to repel certain pests. Nasturtiums contain a chemical compound called benzyl isothiocyanate, which is toxic to many common garden pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles. Planting nasturtiums near vegetables like tomatoes or cucumbers can help protect those plants from these pests.

2. Soil Improvement

Nasturtiums are known for their ability to improve soil quality. They have deep roots that can break up compacted soil, making it easier for water and nutrients to penetrate. Additionally, the leaves and stems of nasturtiums are high in nitrogen, which is an essential nutrient for plant growth. Planting nasturtiums near other plants can help improve the overall health of your garden soil.

3. Attracting Beneficial Insects

Not all insects are pests! Some insects, like ladybugs and lacewings, are actually beneficial to your garden because they eat other insects that can harm your plants. Nasturtium flowers are known for attracting these beneficial insects to your garden, which can help keep pest populations in check.

4. Companion Planting with Other Vegetables

Nasturtiums are also great companion plants for many different types of vegetables. For example, planting nasturtiums near beans can help repel bean beetles and improve the overall health of the soil. Similarly, planting nasturtiums near squash can help repel squash bugs and improve the growth of the squash plants.

How to Use Nasturtium Flowers as Companion Plants

Now that you know the benefits of nasturtium flowers companion planting, how do you actually use them in your garden? Here are some tips:

1. Plant Nasturtiums Near Vegetables

The easiest way to use nasturtiums as companion plants is to simply plant them near other vegetables in your garden. For best results, plant nasturtiums in a sunny area with well-draining soil. You can plant them directly in the ground or in pots if you prefer.

2. Use Nasturtiums as a Trap Crop

Another way to use nasturtiums as companion plants is to plant them as a trap crop. This means planting them specifically to attract pests away from other plants. For example, if you're having trouble with aphids on your tomatoes, you could plant nasturtiums nearby to attract the aphids away from the tomatoes.

3. Make a Nasturtium Tea

You can also use nasturtiums to make a natural insecticide spray for your garden. Simply soak the leaves and flowers in water for a few days to make a "tea", then strain out the solids and spray the liquid on your plants. This can help repel pests like aphids and whiteflies.

Nasturtium Flowers Companion Planting: Dos and Don'ts

When it comes to using nasturtiums as companion plants, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Do:

Plant nasturtiums in a sunny area with well-draining soil
Use nasturtiums to repel pests like aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles
Plant nasturtiums near other vegetables to improve soil quality and attract beneficial insects

Don't:

Plant nasturtiums too close to other plants - they can be invasive if not kept in check
Use nasturtiums as a sole method of pest control - they should be used in combination with other methods for best results
Overwater nasturtiums - they prefer soil that is on the drier side