How to Grow Nasturtium: Sow Now, Skip the Fertiliser, Get Flowers (Video)

Transcript

Can you get bright flowers by feeding your plant nothing?

Can you get bright flowers by feeding your plant nothing?

Nasturtium: No Fertilizer Needed

Ever wondered why some garden flowers look so vibrant while others stay green? In this video I’ll show you how a simple, unfed pot can produce a cascade of orange-red nasturtium blossoms. Stick around, because at the end I’ll reveal the single trick that makes the whole plant burst into colour.

Why poor soil works

Here's the thing: nasturtium reads rich earth as a cue to make leaves, not blossoms. When you give it a lean, well-drained mix, it switches to flower mode. A handful of sand, a bit of garden soil, and a tiny pinch of compost is all it asks for. No fancy fertilizers, just a bit of neglect.

Starting from seed

Start with a quick soak: drop the chickpea-sized seeds in room-temperature water overnight, about eight to twelve hours, and they'll sprout faster. Mix two parts garden soil with one part coarse sand or brick grit, add just a pinch of compost for a ten-inch pot. Plant two or three seeds about two centimeters deep, then water thoroughly and keep the surface barely damp.

Aphid decoy trick

Aphids love nasturtium, so gardeners plant a sacrificial pot near beans or mustard. When the undersides turn black with the insects, you snip those stems, drop them into a bowl of soapy water, and toss the bag. It's a chemical-free way to protect your veggies, and the nasturtium keeps buzzing with bright flowers.

Sowing windows

On the plains, sow your seeds from mid-October to early December for the best start. In the hills, wait until after the frost and plant from March to May, and the flowers will keep going through summer. A good pot size is eight to ten litres, roughly a ten-inch container, for a single bushy plant.

The one mistake to avoid

And here's the kicker: the only real mistake is to feed it. If you keep adding compost or fertilizer, the plant stays in leaf mode and never shows its bright orange-red flowers. Keep the soil lean, water just enough, and watch the blossoms explode. That's the secret you were waiting for.

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Read the full guide

The full guide is on thecareonline.com. General information only, so check with your doctor for your own case.