Nasturtiums, please don't be nasty this year

 A new look at the Nasturtiums, now blooming
Nasturtiums planted in the "back circle" garden and marked by shish kabob sticks.

This year's "start from seed" project involves Nasturtiums, a flower that attracts butterflies, bees, and hopefully not Japanese beetles.

We have a sunny garden location in our large yard, and this year I thought Nasturtiums might work in a new area of space. Previously, I had a huge Karl Foerster, or reed grass, that had overgrown the site. My husband and I teamed up to divide and conquer this lovely ornamental grass a few weeks ago (see related blog on Garden Siren Call).

I was walking through a garden center when I spied the Nasturtium/Jewel mix seeds for sale. This is a good fit for my newest annual garden project, which is starting some annual flower from seed to see what happens. Last year I started a sunflower from seed, and it worked really well until the Japanese beetles came out and found the sunflower appetizing. I had a heck of a time killing the beetles because the sunflower grew 8-10 feet tall.

This year I'm planting to avoid the beetles, and to be more attractive to pollinators. The Nasturtium will hopefully fill the bill.

The little seeds had to be treated with a nail file before they were planted. This involved me looking up a "how-to" on YouTube, and using my best steel file to accomplish the deed. I placed the treated seeds in a plastic container, and headed down to the garden. I also brought along sticks we use for shish kabobs.

I followed the label directions precisely and used the sticks to mark where I'd planted the Nasturtim seeds. I hope these annual flowers, which are edible and are easy to grow, add some color to the space. We can also use them in salads, etc.

According to Wikipedia, nasturtiums were introduced to Europe, by Spain, in 1569. Botanist Nicolas Monardes provided the link from South America. The flowers are native to Peru, and were often called "Indian cress."

Famed Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus named the genus Tropaeolum majus because the seeds reminded him of an ancient Roman custom. After battle, the Romans would erect a wooden tropaeum -- source of the English word "trophy" -- from which they would hang the vanquished foe's armour and weapons.

My seeds might have a dramatic background, but this package came from the Burpee Seed Co., Pennsylvania. The investment: $2.49.
Burpee Seeds packet 




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