The Best Companion Vegetables For Nasturtiums

Introduction

Nasturtiums are beautiful, edible flowers that can add a splash of color to any garden. They are also beneficial companion plants, meaning that they can help to improve the growth and health of other plants in the garden.

In this blog post, we will discuss the best companion vegetables for nasturtiums. We will also provide some tips on how to plant and care for these beneficial plants.

Benefits of Companion Planting

Companion planting is a gardening practice that involves planting certain plants together to benefit each other. There are many different benefits to companion planting, including:

• Increased crop yields
• Improved plant health
• Reduced pest and disease problems
• Increased pollination
• Enhanced flavor

Nasturtiums as Companion Plants

Nasturtiums are a great choice for companion planting because they offer a number of benefits to other plants. For example, nasturtiums:

• Repel pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and cucumber beetles
• Attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies
• Improve soil quality by fixing nitrogen
• Provide ground cover to suppress weeds

Best Companion Vegetables for Nasturtiums

Some of the best companion vegetables for nasturtiums include:

• Brassicas: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and kohlrabi all benefit from the presence of nasturtiums. Nasturtiums help to deter pests that can damage brassicas, such as cabbage worms and aphids.
• Cucurbits: Cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash, and zucchini all grow well with nasturtiums. Nasturtiums help to repel pests that can damage cucurbits, such as cucumber beetles and squash bugs. They also help to improve the flavor of cucurbit fruits.
• Legumes: Beans, peas, and lentils all benefit from the presence of nasturtiums. Nasturtiums help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which is beneficial for legumes. They also help to deter pests that can damage legumes, such as bean beetles and aphids.
• Root vegetables: Carrots, radishes, and turnips all benefit from the presence of nasturtiums. Nasturtiums help to suppress weeds, which can compete with root vegetables for water and nutrients. They also help to improve the flavor of root vegetables.

Tips for Planting and Caring for Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are easy to plant and care for. They prefer full sun but can tolerate part shade. They are also not too fussy about soil type, but they do best in well-drained soil.

To plant nasturtiums, sow the seeds directly in the garden about 1 inch deep. Space the seeds about 12 inches apart. Nasturtiums will germinate in about 7-10 days.

Nasturtiums are relatively low-maintenance plants. They need regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. They may also need to be deadheaded to encourage continued flowering.

Conclusion

Nasturtiums are beautiful, edible flowers that can provide a number of benefits to other plants in the garden. If you are looking for companion plants for your nasturtiums, be sure to consider the Brassicas, cucurbits, legumes, and root vegetables. With proper care, nasturtiums will thrive in your garden and help to improve the growth and health of your other plants.

To learn more about nasturtium companion vegetables, visit Garden Wiki.

FAQ of nasturtium companion vegetables

What are the best companion vegetables for nasturtiums?

Nasturtiums are a great addition to any vegetable garden, and they can be especially beneficial when planted alongside certain other vegetables. Here are some of the best companion vegetables for nasturtiums:

• Cucumbers: Nasturtiums help to repel cucumber beetles, which can be a major pest for cucumbers. They also help to improve the flavor of cucumbers.
• Melons: Like cucumbers, melons can be susceptible to cucumber beetles. Nasturtiums can help to deter these pests and improve the flavor of melons.
• Brassicas: Nasturtiums can help to repel cabbage worms, aphids, and other pests that can damage brassicas. They can also help to improve the flavor of brassicas.
• Radishes: Radishes help to loosen compacted soil, which can benefit nasturtiums. They also help to repel pests such as carrot flies.
• Potatoes: Nasturtiums can help to deter aphids and other pests that can damage potatoes. They can also help to improve the flavor of potatoes.

What should I avoid planting next to nasturtiums?

There are a few vegetables that you should avoid planting next to nasturtiums. These include:

• Mint: Mint is a very aggressive plant that can quickly take over a garden. If you plant mint next to nasturtiums, it is likely to smother the nasturtiums.
• Beans: Beans can compete with nasturtiums for nutrients and water. If you plant beans next to nasturtiums, it is possible that the beans will outcompete the nasturtiums and stunt their growth.
• Peas: Peas can also compete with nasturtiums for nutrients and water. If you plant peas next to nasturtiums, it is possible that the peas will outcompete the nasturtiums and stunt their growth.

Where do nasturtiums go in a vegetable garden?

Nasturtiums can be planted in a variety of locations in a vegetable garden. They can be planted in full sun or partial shade, and they prefer sandy soils that are well-drained. However, they can also be planted in other types of soil, as long as the soil is not too heavy or compacted.

Nasturtiums are a relatively low-maintenance plant, and they do not require a lot of fertilizer or water. However, they do benefit from regular deadheading, which will encourage them to produce more flowers.

Image of nasturtium companion vegetables

10 different images of nasturtium companion vegetables that are free to use:

1. Broccoli

Nasturtiums help to repel pests that can damage broccoli, such as cabbage moths and aphids. They also attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and hoverflies, which help to control pests.

2. Cabbage

Nasturtiums are also good companions for cabbages. They help to repel cabbage moths and aphids, and they also help to improve the flavor of the cabbage.

3. Cauliflower

Nasturtiums are a good companion for cauliflower for the same reasons that they are a good companion for cabbage. They help to repel pests, improve the flavor, and even help to prevent cauliflower from developing gray mold.

4. Cucumbers

Nasturtiums help to repel cucumber beetles, which can be a major pest of cucumbers. They also help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pests.

5. Kale

Nasturtiums are a good companion for kale for the same reasons that they are a good companion for cabbage and cauliflower. They help to repel pests, improve the flavor, and even help to prevent kale from developing mildew.

6. Pumpkins

Nasturtiums help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pests that can damage pumpkins, such as squash bugs and cucumber beetles.

7. Peas

Nasturtiums help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil, which benefits peas. They also help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pests that can damage peas, such as aphids and spider mites.

8. Beans

Nasturtiums help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil, which benefits beans. They also help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pests that can damage beans, such as aphids and spider mites.

9. Lettuce

Nasturtiums help to repel aphids, which can be a major pest of lettuce. They also help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pests.

10. Spinach

Nasturtiums help to repel aphids, which can be a major pest of spinach. They also help to attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help to control pests.