When to Plant Nasturtium in USDA Zone 6a
June in the garden — Zone 6a
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Zone 6a this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Harvest nasturtium as they ripen
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
Looking ahead to 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 6a, the average last spring frost is around April 10 and the first fall frost is around October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.
Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Zone 6a
Where Is USDA Zone 6a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6a. Click any state to see the Nasturtium planting schedule for that location.
Nasturtium Planting Calendar — Zone 6a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Direct Sow | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 8 |
| Bloom | June 12 | Jun 12 – Oct 2 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6a 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
-10°F to -5°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
193 days (Zone 6a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 10 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Nasturtium in Zone 6a
Sow every 6.3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Zone 6a
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
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- 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
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
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 6a?
In Zone 6a, plan your Nasturtium planting around the average last frost date of April 10. Start seeds indoors around March 13. Direct sow outdoors around April 17. Transplant seedlings around April 17.
Can Nasturtium grow in Zone 6a?
Yes, Nasturtium can grow well in Zone 6a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 6a has a growing season of approximately 193 days, which is sufficient for Nasturtium (55-65 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Nasturtium in Zone 6a?
In Zone 6a, expect to harvest Nasturtium from June 12 – October 2. Nasturtium takes 55-65 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6a is around April 10, and the first fall frost is around October 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 193 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 6a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 6a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.