Tips for Sprouting Nasturtium Seeds

Posted on Posted in Flower Gardening, Garden

This is the fifth season I will be growing nasturtiums. The first few seasons I even had a hard time saying the name. It was comedy for my mom. Today I can easily say Nasturtium [na-stur-shuh m, nuh-]. I still have trouble spelling it at times. I think whomever decided to name some of these plants had some humor.

My Love Hate Relationship With Nasturtiums

It is bad enough having difficulty saying the word, then there is spelling it. Finally the third thing is getting them to sprout.  The following photo shows you why.

Nasturtium seeds have a hard shell making it difficult to sprout.
Nasturtium seeds have a hard shell making it difficult to sprout.

The best thing is to clip the edge of the seed to break the shell and allow water inside the seed by way of soaking overnight. With my experience I find I have better luck with soaking them for two days. This season I soaked them for 3 days.

Another Tip I Learned

Previous years I have planted them too deep and packing down the seed.  This season I planted them the depth suggested. The difference is I sprinkled the loose dirt over the seed and did not pack it down. Will this be the best way? Time will tell.

Always Exciting When A Seed Turns Into A Seedling

Always a miracle to see a seed form into a seedling.
Always a miracle to see a seed form into a seedling.

Germination of this seed is one of the longest times to wait. When a seedling finally emerges I find it to be a miracle.

Nasturtium blooming.
Nasturtium blooming.

Once it gets going it will give you loads of blooms from one seed.

If you plan to plant nasturtiums this season, clip off the edge of the seed and let it soak in water a few days before planting.
If you plan to plant nasturtiums this season, clip off the edge of the seed and let it soak in water a few days before planting.

Saving The Best For Last!

Humor gets me through many phases of my life and today I am hoping to put behind the incorrect way to pronounce and spell ‘Nasturtium’ simply from writing this blog. I am having great feelings that this year’s plants are going to be a show stopper! Stay tuned!

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If you like what you read, please share with others! If you live in the Garden City, Clark, Watertown South Dakota area including all the small towns and would like to join a Facebook Social Gardening Group please click on the following link Marilyn’s Way Social Gardening Group and ask to join. Please go to my Facebook Page Marilyn’s Way To Organization For Home And Garden and LIKE my page followed by clicking on ‘Get Notifications’. You can also click on the photos section to see all my gardening adventures since 2011.

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