Nasturtium Milk Maid

Although Nasturtium is not a traditional tall cut flower, it can definitely be cut. Its flowers have stems approximately 15–20 cm long. They are very well-suited for arranging in smaller vessels, romantic low vases, or for creating small bouquets from the garden.

At an ideal temperature between 16–22 °C, seeds germinate relatively quickly, usually taking 7 to 14 days. Remember to keep the substrate moderately moist but not waterlogged, and ensure the seeds are well-covered with a layer of soil to keep them in total darkness.

You can grow the seeds in two ways. Direct sowing in the garden: Sow about 2 weeks before the last expected frost (April, May, June). Plant the seeds 1-2 cm deep and maintain a spacing of 20-30 cm. Starting indoors: Begin 3–4 weeks before the last frost (March to May). Use deeper pots and sow 2 seeds per pot. It is important to always cover the seeds with soil, as Nasturtium requires darkness for successful germination.

Nasturtium thrives best in direct sunlight or partial shade. In full sun, the plant will produce more flowers, while in partial shade, it may develop denser foliage. It does not like overly rich or heavily fertilized soil, which causes excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering.

Definitely! Thanks to its compact growth, the 'Milk Maid' variety is absolutely ideal for container gardening. It looks excellent in larger pots and deeper window boxes. Don't forget to provide drainage holes at the bottom and ensure frequent watering, as soil in pots dries out very quickly in the summer sun.

The 'Milk Maid' variety of Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a beautiful annual that will enchant you with its flowers in delicate shades of pastel yellow to lemon. It forms compact bushes reaching a height of 60–90 cm. It is an ideal choice not only for ornamental flower beds but, since the entire plant is edible, it also finds great use in your kitchen.

This problem is most often caused by the nasturtium growing in soil that is too nutrient-rich, providing an excess of nitrogen. In such an environment, the plant invests all its energy into producing green foliage and leaves, neglecting flower production. To bloom profusely, it surprisingly needs poorer, non-fertilized soil and plenty of sunlight.

Since nasturtium is an annual and would not survive winter frosts, it is propagated exclusively by seeds. Simply leave some flowers on the bed to fade. The plant will produce relatively large seeds that fall off quickly. You can collect these mature seeds, store them in a cool, dark place over the winter, and sow them again in the spring. Very often, it will self-seed in its favorite spot, delighting you with growth in the spring without any extra work.

Nasturtium will delight you with a profusion of flowers throughout the entire summer and autumn. It usually begins to bloom in June and continues through July, August, and September until October, when the first autumn frosts finally bring an end to the flowering.

Yes, nasturtium is completely edible and very popular in culinary use! Both the leaves and flowers have a pleasant, spicy, slightly peppery taste that is somewhat reminiscent of radishes. The flowers of this pastel yellow variety look fantastic as a cake topping, in summer vegetable salads, or as an edible decoration for open-faced sandwiches and spreads. Additionally, immature seeds can be pickled as spicy mock capers.

The plant is non-toxic and completely safe for both humans and pets. Furthermore, it is highly valued in natural medicine. It contains potent antibacterial substances and is often referred to as a natural antibiotic. It helps fight respiratory infections and unpleasant urinary tract inflammation. The most effective form for medicinal use is an alcohol tincture.

In the garden, nasturtium is literally a magnet for aphids. In permaculture gardening, this is even used intentionally, and the plant is grown as a so-called 'trap crop' that lures aphids away from other vegetables and more valuable plants (such as beans or tomatoes). If you do not want to use chemical sprays, you can simply rinse the plant with a strong stream of water or use an organic spray made from soapy water or neem oil.