The Ultimate Guide To Companion Planting With Nasturtiums

The Ultimate Guide to Companion Planting with Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a beautiful and versatile flower that can be grown in a variety of settings. They are also a great companion plant for other vegetables and herbs, as they can help to deter pests, improve soil quality, and attract pollinators.

In this guide, we will discuss the benefits of companion planting with nasturtiums, as well as some of the best plants to pair them with. We will also provide some tips on how to get the most out of your companion planting efforts.

Benefits of Companion Planting with Nasturtiums

There are many benefits to companion planting with nasturtiums. Here are a few of the most important:

• Deterrent to pests. Nasturtiums are known to repel a variety of pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and squash bugs. This can help to protect your other plants from damage and infestation.
• Improve soil quality. Nasturtiums are nitrogen-fixing plants, which means they can help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil. This can benefit other plants in the garden, as nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth.
• Attract pollinators. Nasturtiums are a favorite flower of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. This can help to boost pollination rates in your garden, which can lead to a better harvest.
• Add beauty and interest. Nasturtiums are beautiful flowers that can add color and interest to any garden. They can also be used as a groundcover or to fill in empty spaces.

Best Companion Plants for Nasturtiums

There are many different plants that can be grown with nasturtiums. Here are a few of the best pairings:

• Tomatoes: Nasturtiums can help to deter aphids and other pests that can damage tomatoes. They can also help to improve the flavor of tomatoes.
• Cucumbers: Nasturtiums can help to deter cucumber beetles and other pests that can damage cucumbers. They can also help to improve the pollination of cucumbers.
• Peppers: Nasturtiums can help to deter aphids and other pests that can damage peppers. They can also help to improve the flavor of peppers.
• Radishes: Nasturtiums can help to deter flea beetles and other pests that can damage radishes. They can also help to improve the growth of radishes.
• Spinach: Nasturtiums can help to deter aphids and other pests that can damage spinach. They can also help to improve the flavor of spinach.
• Basil: Basil is a beneficial insectary plant that attracts pollinators and predators of garden pests. It also complements the flavor of nasturtiums.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are another beneficial insectary plant that attracts pollinators and predators of garden pests. They also help to suppress the growth of soil-borne diseases.

How to Companion Plant with Nasturtiums

When companion planting with nasturtiums, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Plant nasturtiums near plants that they can benefit. For example, plant nasturtiums near tomatoes to help deter aphids.
• Plant nasturtiums in full sun. They need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive.
• Plant nasturtiums in well-drained soil. They are not tolerant of wet soil.
• Water nasturtiums regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
• Fertilize nasturtiums every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.

With a little planning, you can use companion planting to create a beautiful and productive garden with nasturtiums.

FAQ of nasturtium flowers companion planting

1. What are some good companion plants for nasturtiums?

Nasturtiums are a great companion plant for many other flowers and vegetables. They are known to repel pests such as aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. They can also help to attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and hoverflies. Some good companion plants for nasturtiums include:

* Carrots: Nasturtiums help to deter the carrot rust fly.
* Tomatoes: Nasturtiums help to deter the tomato hornworm.
* Beans: Nasturtiums help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil, which benefits the beans.
* Peas: Nasturtiums help to attract pollinators, which help the peas to set fruit.
* Cabbage: Nasturtiums help to deter the cabbage white butterfly.

2. What are some bad companion plants for nasturtiums?

There are a few plants that should not be planted near nasturtiums. These include:

* Potatoes: Nasturtiums can harbor the potato blight fungus.
* Melons: Nasturtiums can attract the cucumber beetle, which can also damage melons.
* Brassicas (such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts): Nasturtiums can attract the cabbage white butterfly, which can also damage brassicas.

3. How far apart should nasturtiums be planted?

Nasturtiums should be planted about 12 inches apart. This will give them enough room to grow and spread.

4. How much sun do nasturtiums need?

Nasturtiums need full sun to thrive. They will not bloom as well if they are planted in partial shade.

5. How long does it take for nasturtiums to start flowering?

Nasturtiums usually start flowering within 4 to 6 weeks of planting. However, they may take longer to flower if they are planted in cool weather.

Image of nasturtium flowers companion planting

• Nasturtiums and tomatoes: Nasturtiums can help to deter tomato hornworms, a common pest of tomatoes. They can also help to improve the flavor of tomatoes.
• Nasturtiums and strawberries: Nasturtiums can help to deter slugs and snails, which are common pests of strawberries. They can also help to improve the flavor of strawberries.
• Nasturtiums and marigolds: Marigolds and nasturtiums are both known for their insect-repelling properties. Planting them together can help to create a more pest-resistant garden.
• Nasturtiums and beans: Nasturtiums can help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil, which can benefit beans. Beans, in turn, can help to support the growth of nasturtiums by providing them with shade.
• Nasturtiums and nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are a self-seeding plant, so they can easily be propagated by planting the seeds from spent flowers. This makes them a great choice for companion planting, as you can easily fill in gaps in your garden with new nasturtium plants.

Gardenia Inspiration