When to Plant Nasturtium in USDA Zone 10a
What to do in June
A quick June briefing for Zone 10a gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Collect nasturtium at their peak
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
July prep starts now
- First harvests: nasturtium
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a fast-growing annual with distinctive round, lily-pad leaves and bold trumpet-shaped blooms in warm oranges, reds, and yellows. Both the flowers and leaves are edible with a peppery watercress flavor. Planted near vegetables, nasturtiums act as a sacrifice trap-crop, luring aphids away from more valuable plants. They thrive in poor, dry soil — rich conditions produce lush foliage but few flowers.
In Zone 10a, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Zone 10a
Where Is USDA Zone 10a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 10a. Click any state to see the Nasturtium planting schedule for that location.
Nasturtium Planting Calendar — Zone 10a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 4 | Dec 4 – Dec 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 |
| Direct Sow | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 11 |
| Bloom | January 15 | Jan 15 – Aug 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Bloom |
| February | Bloom |
| March | Bloom |
| April | Bloom |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| December | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
Free Zone 10a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 10a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
55–65 days
Soil pH
6 – 8
Zone Temperature Range
30°F to 35°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
365 days (Zone 10a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 10 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Nasturtium in Zone 10a
Sow every 6.3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Zone 10a
Zone 10a offers a long growing season (~365 days). You can plant Nasturtium earlier and may get multiple harvests.
Direct-sow large seeds 1/2 inch deep after last frost; soak seeds overnight to speed germination (7-10 days). Nasturtiums dislike root disturbance so direct sowing is strongly preferred. Avoid fertilizing — poor soil brings the best bloom. Trailing types can cover banks and climb trellises; dwarf types suit containers. In hot climates (zones 9+) plant in fall for winter/spring bloom as plants struggle in peak summer heat.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Nasturtium Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Nasturtium in Other Zones
Nasturtium by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Nasturtium in Zone 10a?
In Zone 10a, plan your Nasturtium planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around December 4. Direct sow outdoors around November 20. Transplant seedlings around November 20.
Can Nasturtium grow in Zone 10a?
Yes, Nasturtium can grow well in Zone 10a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 10a has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Nasturtium (55-65 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Nasturtium in Zone 10a?
In Zone 10a, expect to harvest Nasturtium from January 15 – August 13. Nasturtium takes 55-65 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 10a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 10a is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Nasturtium?
Good companion plants for Nasturtium include Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Squash, Radishes. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 10a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 10a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.