What about nasturtiums?

Now that I have successfully???sown my first 4 jugs I'm going to see if I have any nasturtium seed. Seems like I always have to wait on them for warm outdoor temps when direct sowing but I'm wondering if that is true for ws. Replies please, and I will check my supply of seed. last year i direct sowed and they didn't do well, got attacked by a tiny black insect and just would not thrive so I pulled them out. I love how they wind aroound and through their neighbors.

Indy: the tiny black bugs were probably aphids, which love nasturtium. I try to do mostly organic gardening and avoid pesticides, but would probably use them if the aphids really were killing off the plants. Generally less drastic methods will keep them in check, though. I don't think there's any way to avoid the aphids, I just accept that growing nasties means that they will have aphids.

Nasties will take light frost, but not a hard freeze. I generraly wait to wintersow them until closer to spring, late March or early April. Sowing early risks not only killing late frost but also, with seeds that large, there is the possibility that they will rot in the container. I've had that happen, too.

Karen

Karen
OK I'll wait, just will have to get some perennial seeds ordered. Thanks.
Are you all using your real first name? If so I will start too.
So many questions????
Indy

And you have discovered the secret of the perfect trap crop! If the bugs are eating your nasturtiums, they're leaving your other plants and vegs alone. I regular plant extras, so I can succession sow, and eventually, I have nasturtiums to admire. Plant them and radishes around your squash and cukes, they'll draw of the beetles. Pull up and destroy the diseased ones.

Aphids can be controlled with pesticides, but as I said I try hard to avoid them because they're so bad for the soil (and us...). But just a strong spray of water from the hose will wash them off, at least temporarily.

Karen

Ugh! I do organics, never use the nuke stuff............And they are controllable by less invasive methods, but you do have to pay attention.

Indy~Some of us do use our real first names. We are also (some of us) listed in the address exchange. This is useful when trading and is available only to subscribers.
Bev

Where is the address exchange? This is so much fun but I feel I'm hopping around a lot. Ha .....
Indy

Indy, go to home, go to extras and scroll down. Address exchange is in there :)

for aphids and other nasty bugs... i just use a cheap soap and water.

i too hate using pesticides.

i also received some nasturtiums in a trade over the summer... good to know i should sow them later... i did have a lot, if not all of my BIG seeds rot last year.

Terese

I ws my nasties in April and they usually sprout within a week

Nasturium or affectionately known as "Nasties" are perfect candidates for winter sowing!