So what do y’all know about nasturtiums? Do you grow them? How many months out of the year do they grow here in the Phoenix area?
I planted some from seed and a few have started to come up, but I was just curious how long they last when it starts heating up.
Hi Staci!
I just started some seeds in a Jiffy pellet. They must be pretty hardy in the Valley ’cause Dave Owens, the Garden Guy lists them as great companion plants for veggies that need to attract pollenators – like squash. Check out his “Extreme Gardening: How to Grow Organic in the Hostile Deserts” book.
Love your blog. I have it in my Google Reader.
They are my favorite flower, the do really well in our soil. They produce really big bushes if you tend to them, and of course, the most beautiful flowers. I actually had one come up wild this year, and it started flowering last week! If the flowers look delicious, don’t hesitate, they are delicious, seriously you can eat them.
I grow them and I’ll have to email you some pics. I planted them a while ago so now they are on there way to seed. They are annuals, and will need replanting. The flower heads die and turn into the seeds for the next crop. I have the dwarf type and the vining kind. I’m gonna lose out on some seeds. I had some seeds fall in with my lavender and they grew, and grew, and grew right out of control. They are choking my lavender. Sigh!
The flowers are edible, and real tasty in salads!
Terrie and Justin,
How far into the summer do the nasturtiums last?
Darn it, you had to ask me that question. I just started keeping a garden log this year, but if my memory serves me, I think not too long into the summer. They are definitely a spring flower in AZ. With some partial shade and lots of water, I think you can keep them growing much longer. I do remember one year I had a bush in about 50% shade, and it got huge as the months went along. Do any of yours have shade?
Good, to find this posting. Its 104 outside and I was just wondering if I could plant nasturtiums with my corn and sunflowers. Alas, sounds like I should put those seeds away until its cool again. Thanks!