Pelham Gardens
Pelham GardensGrow What Matters

Nasturtium

Edible flowers with a peppery kick. Thrives in poor soil and needs almost no attention.

Waiting this month

Sow

Apr – Jun

Plant Out

Harvest

Jun – Oct

Type

Outdoor

Difficulty

Nasturtium

Growing Calendar

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sow
Transplant
Harvest

This month: Apr

Start seeds indoors this week

  • Fill tray with compost
  • Sow seeds evenly
  • Cover lightly with soil
  • Water gently
  • Place in warm light spot

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

1.5cm

Spacing

20–30cm

Germination

7–14days

Thinning

No thinning needed — sow 2–3 seeds and let the strongest establish

Grower's Note

Prefers poor soil — rich compost produces lush leaves but fewer flowers. Direct sow only.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

1wks

Seeds germinate and first leaves emerge. Keep warm and moist.

Establishing

3wks

Root system develops and plant builds structure. Pot on if needed.

Maturing

6wks

Plant reaches full size and begins producing. Harvest at peak.

Total~10 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Companion Plants

CourgetteBeansTomatoCarrotKale

Climate Control

Today

C

Humidity

%

Water

Every 3–4 days

Sunlight

3–6 hours sun

Watch Out For

  • ! Blackfly colonise heavily
  • ! Rich soil reduces flowering

Organic Gardening

Feed & protect without buying

Feed

No Feeding Required

Rich soil actually reduces flowering. Nasturtiums thrive on neglect — plant in poor or average soil and let them do their thing.

Pest

Use as a Trap Plant

Nasturtiums attract blackfly away from beans and brassicas. Let aphids colonise them, then remove and compost the affected stems.

More recipes on the Sustainability pageExplore →

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing nasturtium

Seeds — Just Seed

Wide variety, UK-grown selections

Modular Seed Tray

96-cell for precision sowing

Fine Rose Watering Can

Gentle shower for seedlings

Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission

Grown Organically

Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.

Read our approach

Seasonal Updates

Sign up to the Newsletter to see what's changing in the garden month to month