{"id":5565,"date":"2024-03-19T18:42:35","date_gmt":"2024-03-19T18:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seedparade.co.uk\/news\/?p=5565"},"modified":"2024-03-19T18:50:08","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T18:50:08","slug":"nasturtium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seedparade.co.uk\/news\/companion-planting\/nasturtium\/","title":{"rendered":"Companion Planting With Nasturtiums"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nasturtiums are a beautiful sight in any garden, producing a vibrant display of gorgeous flowers throughout the summer months. But did you know that these easy-to-grow plants bring a whole range of benefits to your garden? Companion planting with nasturtiums is an age-old gardening technique that can reduce pests and diseases and help attract beneficial insects. Let\u2019s find out more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the benefits of growing nasturtiums?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nasturtiums are often underrated as a garden plant, added as an afterthought to fill small gaps or provide some extra colour. But these wonderful plants offer a whole host of benefits to the gardener, and we believe they deserve a spot in every garden. Here are the top ten reasons to grow nasturtiums:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Nasturtiums are good companion plants for many different vegetable crops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The bright colours of nasturtium flowers attract beneficial pollinating insects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Strongly-scented nasturtium leaves repel many common garden pests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Nasturtium flowers, leaves, and seeds are all edible and rich in nutrients.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Nasturtiums can be grown as a sacrificial trap crop for aphids.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Secretions from the roots of nasturtiums are absorbed by neighbouring plants, helping to improve disease resistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Nasturtiums can be used as a living mulch, providing ground cover that suppresses weeds and reduces water evaporation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Nasturtiums are easy to grow and can tolerate poor soil conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. These edible plants have powerful antioxidant properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. And finally, nasturtium flowers are bright, cheerful, and very beautiful!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    We do have to make a small disclaimer about many of the potential benefits of nasturtiums \u2013 unfortunately, scientific research into this topic is quite limited, so there is not always evidence available to verify these claims. However, like most companion planting techniques, the beneficial effects of the humble nasturtium have been observed by gardeners for many generations, so the potential of this plant should not be overlooked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What is the best nasturtium for pest control?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    There are many different types of nasturtiums, most of which are grown as ornamental plants for their beautiful flowers. However, if you have a specific job in mind for your nasturtium plants, such as pest control, what are the best varieties to grow?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There is no evidence that one variety of nasturtium is any more effective than the rest, so the best nasturtium for pest control is any nasturtium! When planting nasturtiums as a companion plant to attract beneficial insects, select a range of brightly coloured flowers to lure in bees, butterflies, and wasps that help pollinate your crops and keep pests under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Where is the best place to plant nasturtiums?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The joy of nasturtiums is that these easy-to-grow plants will thrive anywhere where they get plenty of sun and a little water. Nasturtiums grow well in poor soil, so they can be planted at the edge of your beds or even along the side of paths. The seeds can be pushed into soil-filled crevices in rock gardens or walls to create a beautiful floral display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When companion planting nasturtiums, it is a good idea to place them in various locations around the garden. Studies have shown that a method called polyculture is the most effective way to confuse and deter garden pests. Polyculture planting is where many different types of plants share the same growing space, rather than growing individual crops in separate blocks. Polyculture gardens can be beautifully haphazard and eye-catching, but far less orderly than a traditional vegetable garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Where do nasturtiums go in a vegetable garden?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Because nasturtiums have such wide-ranging benefits as a companion plant, they can be grown in any area of the vegetable garden providing there is sufficient space. Remember that our nasturtiums are going to do three jobs for the price of one \u2013 attract beneficial insects, repel garden pests, and act as a trap crop for aphids. This will benefit most vegetable crops, but some have a particularly harmonious relationship with nasturtiums:<\/p>\n\n\n\n