When to Plant Nasturtium in USDA Zone 7a
June in Zone 7a — your action list
June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 7a.
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Collect nasturtium at their peak
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 7a, the average last spring frost is around March 25 and the first fall frost is around November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.
Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Zone 7a
Where Is USDA Zone 7a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 7a. Click any state to see the Nasturtium planting schedule for that location.
Nasturtium Planting Calendar — Zone 7a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 25 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Direct Sow | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 |
| Bloom | May 20 | May 20 – Sep 23 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Bloom |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 7a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 7a 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
0°F to 5°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
221 days (Zone 7a average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 10 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Nasturtium in Zone 7a
Sow every 6.3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Zone 7a
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
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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 7a?
In Zone 7a, plan your Nasturtium planting around the average last frost date of March 25. Start seeds indoors around February 25. Direct sow outdoors around March 25. Transplant seedlings around March 25.
Can Nasturtium grow in Zone 7a?
Yes, Nasturtium can grow well in Zone 7a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 7a has a growing season of approximately 221 days, which is sufficient for Nasturtium (55-65 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Nasturtium in Zone 7a?
In Zone 7a, expect to harvest Nasturtium from May 20 – September 23. Nasturtium takes 55-65 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 7a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 7a is around March 25, and the first fall frost is around November 1. This gives a growing season of approximately 221 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 7a Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 7a. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.