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How 'bout those nasturtiums?
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weeds n seeds
Just Arrived
Joined: 26 Nov 2007
Posts: 30
Location: Casper, Wyoming
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| Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: How 'bout those nasturtiums? |
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These plants are not only totally EDIBLE (leaves have the nicest "peppery" flavor to just pick and eat when working around the garden, or add to salads as a perker-upper), also are highly worthwhile to interplant with various crops as well. They are good companions to almost anything that can not only be pretty to look at, but work their little vines off to help repel nasty insects that like to invade our "growing spaces".
Nasturtiums planted in accordance with melons will help control aphids, squash bugs, striped pumpkin beetles and wooly aphids. Planted with members of the curcubit family, they will not only deter pests there but will actually improve the growth and flavor of the fruits! For container gardeners, the nasturtium is a great ally plant of tomatoes, can really "dress up" an otherwise bland-looking pot.
The nasturtium isn't fussy about it's soil, actually it prefers a rather poor one and doesn't like fertilizing to speak of. They come in a wide range of colors from an almost creamy white to a beautiful deep red, with oranges and yellows being the most common: there's even a varigated leaved variety that's stunning! The vines can be grown in hanging baskets, containers, or the seeds simply planted out where they can grow after all danger of frost is past and the soil's warmed up nicely.
This plant doesn't like it's roots disturbed BUT the seeds can still be started inside beforehand, just use peat pots filled with not highly fertilized soil. When roots start extending thru the sides, or bottoms of pots, they can be transplanted into the garden..or whatever..with ease to grow on from there. The end results will be nothing but beauty that tastes GOOD while doing the garden a great service in the meantime. And, if you want seeds for next year? Just let the blossoms go til they produce a green seed pod, then let it shrivel up and dry to a brown color on the plant, pick and store in a cool dry place til the following year (actually, if you have a large number of these plants, the green seed pods may be picked and pickled, are called "poor man's capers", are used just like the real thing).
So, if you're looking for a dual-purpose garden plant, be sure to try these. One season and you'll..also..be saying "How 'bout those nasturtiums?".
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
 Moderator
Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Posts: 10348
Location: Scotland (Map)
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| Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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I grow nastturtiums every year in my garden as they not only look lovely with their orange, yellow and dark red flowers but they are just soooo versatile. The leaves tend to be just the right size to for putting on a bread roll too!! 
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Netty
Chaotic Gardener
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 3928
Location: Southern Ontario zone 5
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:15 am Post subject: |
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I'm a big fan of Nasturtium's. The blooms smell great!
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Sjoerd
Highly Skillful
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 1602
Location: West - Friesland
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:30 am Post subject: |
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Like Eileen, I grow these plants every year, and I plant them in a variety 0of ways for different purposes. They are a great plant, easy to grow and juts plain nice to look at.
Good post, W&S
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Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
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stratsmom
Flower Fanatic
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 699
Location: Southern Oregon (Map)
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:19 am Post subject: |
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I try to plant some every year. I've never tasted them before, will definitely try it this summer! One thing I've learned is to soak the seeds overnight before I plant them. I plan to start some in the hay rack planter (or whatever they call it) under the garage window. I think it will be beautiful with reds, whites, oranges and yellows trailing over the sides in front of my yellow garage 
Deanna
COME ON SPRING!!! I CAN'T WAIT MUCH LONGER!!
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Droopy
Slug Slaughterer
Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Posts: 3568
Location: Western Norway (Map)
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:44 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for reminding me, I need to buy new seeds this year. I like them in salads too.
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SongofJoy57
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 20 Oct 2007
Posts: 587
Location: Foothills of North Carolina Z = 7a & 7b (Map)
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:29 am Post subject: |
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W&S . . . thank you for the informative information . . . this made me want to try these!!!
I also loved your "article," and style of writing . . . I felt as though I was reading a review out of a gardening magazine!!! Blessings!
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petunia
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 13 May 2006
Posts: 1141
Location: northern michigan
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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I have started these nasturiums inside already. Though a bit too early-they've vined out already and I'm hoping they last till I can get them outdoors. Guess I didn't realize they would come up so quickly.
Thanks for the great info. I also didn't know the leaves were edible. I'll be growing more when our ground thaws out.
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Petunia
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kuntrygal
Texas Rose
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Posts: 1015
Location: Lufkin, TX Zone 8
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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W n'S what a wonderful and informative article. I didn't know any of this. Will get some seeds today. Thanks a bunch!
Gaylyn
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Gaylyn 
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Penny
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 19 Nov 2007
Posts: 421
Location: Ontario
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| Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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I agree, that they are so pretty and have a nice smell.
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mtathome
On The Way Up
Joined: 10 Feb 2008
Posts: 143
Location: PacNW of US
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| Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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I love them too. The flowers are pretty in salads.
Mine always get covered in those tiny black bugs, so I quit growing them. They were so pretty trailing off my deck...until you looked at them closely!
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tschnath
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 06 Mar 2008
Posts: 591
Location: Southern Maine (zone 5)
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| Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:13 am Post subject: |
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You all make them sound so good. Guess I'll have to try them. Thanks for the info.
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Terry 
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