Can Nasturtiums Grow in Hanging Baskets?
Oh, I tell ya, nasturtiums are just the right kind of plant for hanging baskets! They’re easy to grow, don’t fuss much, and those flowers, they spill over the edges all nice, like little colorful waterfalls. Now, maybe you’re wonderin’ if these things grow well up there in a basket, hangin’ high. Well, lemme tell ya, nasturtiums do just fine up there, and they don’t ask for much. So, let’s go through how to get these beauties bloom from a hanging basket, plain and simple.
Starting Nasturtiums From Seeds
Now, the best way to start nasturtiums is from seeds. Don’t worry, these seeds are big and easy to handle, even if your hands ain’t as nimble as they used to be. All ya gotta do is poke them down about an inch deep. In fact, if you want to start ’em indoors, try this about 4-6 weeks before the last frost hits. Just grab a small pot, one that’s about 3 inches across or so. Now put two seeds in each pot, cover ’em with a bit of soil, and place ’em somewhere sunny. A south-facing window works just fine if you’ve got one.
Now, if you’re a bit more patient, you can skip the indoor start and wait till the frost is long gone. In spring, after the cold’s all but a memory, pop those seeds straight into your baskets or little pots outside. They’ll sprout up right quick, especially if they’re sittin’ in some nice, warm sunshine.
Picking the Right Spot for Your Hanging Basket
Nasturtiums, bless ’em, they love full sun. But if your place gets hotter than a frying pan, part shade might do them some good too. Put the basket somewhere with a lot of light, and you’ll see how happy those plants get. If you got an eave, a porch rail, or even a shepherd’s hook out there in a sunny spot, hang your basket there.
Oh, and don’t worry ’bout fertilizin’ too much. Nasturtiums aren’t picky. Too much food, and they’ll grow leaves but not many flowers. Just regular garden soil works fine.
Watering Nasturtiums in Hanging Baskets
Now, these nasturtiums don’t need a whole lake, but they sure like a good drink. Water ’em when the soil’s lookin’ dry, which might be pretty often since they’re up in the air in that basket. When it’s hot, keep an eye out – if the leaves start to droop, that’s their way of tellin’ ya they’re thirsty.
Planting Nasturtiums in Baskets Step-by-Step
- Step 1: Start with a decent-sized hanging basket. Fill it with well-draining soil, somethin’ that’ll let the water run through but hold just enough to keep those roots happy.
- Step 2: Poke seeds about an inch deep. Space ’em out a bit if you’re planting more than one in the same basket.
- Step 3: Keep that basket in a sunny spot.
- Step 4: Water as needed, especially on hotter days.
Taking Care of Those Beautiful Flowers
Oh, once these nasturtiums get goin’, they don’t need much. They’ll climb right over the edges and cascade down. And don’t you worry if you see lots of leaves at first – that’s normal. Once the flowers come in, though, you’ll get colors from orange to yellow and red. It’s a sight, really! And if you’re feelin’ fancy, you can even eat those flowers! They’re edible, ya know? People pop ’em in salads and such, but me, I just like lookin’ at ’em.
What to Watch Out For
These flowers don’t fuss too much, but sometimes, pests like aphids find their way to nasturtiums. If you see those little buggers, give the plant a quick spray of water to knock ’em off. Or you can mix up some mild soapy water to spray on the leaves. That’ll take care of most pests without hurtin’ the plant.
End of Season Tips
When the colder months start rollin’ in, these little nasturtiums might fade. If you’re somewhere warm, you can keep ’em goin’ all year long, but in colder spots, they’re usually done by fall. Just snip off the old vines and empty the basket, gettin’ it ready for next year. And save a few seeds if you like – nasturtiums make it easy for you. Those seeds are big and easy to spot, sittin’ there waitin’ for next spring.
And there ya have it! Growing nasturtiums in hanging baskets is a treat – they’re simple, cheerful, and colorful. Just give ’em some sun, water now and then, and a little care, and you’ll have a basket full of bright blooms that’ll make the whole yard smile.
Tags：nasturtiums, hanging baskets, grow nasturtiums, flower care, garden tips
