When to Plant Nasturtium in USDA Zone 10b
This month in Zone 10b
June is a pivotal month for Zone 10b gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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It's harvest week for nasturtium
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
- 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 10b, 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 10b
Where Is USDA Zone 10b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 10b. Click any state to see the Nasturtium planting schedule for that location.
Nasturtium Planting Calendar — Zone 10b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 4 | Dec 4 – Dec 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | November 13 | Nov 13 – Nov 27 |
| Direct Sow | November 13 | Nov 13 – Dec 4 |
| Bloom | January 8 | Jan 8 – Aug 20 |
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 Direct Sow |
Free Zone 10b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 10b 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
35°F to 40°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
365 days (Zone 10b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 10 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Nasturtium in Zone 10b
Sow every 6.3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Zone 10b
Zone 10b 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
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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 10b?
In Zone 10b, plan your Nasturtium planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around December 4. Direct sow outdoors around November 13. Transplant seedlings around November 13.
Can Nasturtium grow in Zone 10b?
Yes, Nasturtium can grow well in Zone 10b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 10b 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 10b?
In Zone 10b, expect to harvest Nasturtium from January 8 – August 20. Nasturtium takes 55-65 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 10b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 10b 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 10b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 10b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.