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When to plant Nasturtium in Hardee County County,

Nasturtium planted in Hardee County County between December 30 and January 20 matures in 65 days — well before the December 20 first frost.

When to Plant Nasturtium in Hardee County, FL

Hardee County, Florida Zone 9b June

Top priorities for Hardee County, Florida gardeners in June

Your garden in Hardee County, Florida is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost January 27
Avg. first frost December 20
Soil temp (4") 88°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for nasturtium

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: nasturtium

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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.

Hardee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 27 and the first fall frost is December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 327 days.

At an elevation of 374 feet, Hardee County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Nasturtium may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Nasturtium will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Nasturtium root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Hardee County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
327 days
Last Spring Frost January 27
327 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20
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Hardee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 23 Transplant: Dec 23 🌸 Bloom: Feb 17 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 30 Transplant: Dec 30 🌸 Bloom: Feb 24 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 24 Transplant: Jan 24 🌸 Bloom: Mar 21 – Oct 3

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Hardee County

How your county's soil matches Nasturtium's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9–5.8) is more acidic than Nasturtium prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Hardee County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Nasturtium will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Nasturtium.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.3%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Nasturtium.

How to Plant Nasturtium

0.5"
Planting Depth
10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Nasturtium

7
successive plantings in your 327-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 16 to harvest before frost.

Nasturtium Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Nasturtium

Nasturtium needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Nasturtium Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Feb 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 10.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.2" 2.1" 0.1" 💧 Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Hardee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Nasturtium Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Nasturtium needs ~1,590 GDD — county provides 8,692 GDD Excellent fit

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Hardee County, FL

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 30 Dec 30 – Jan 13
Transplant Outdoors December 30 Dec 30 – Jan 13
Direct Sow December 30 Dec 30 – Jan 20
Bloom February 24 Feb 24 – Sep 8

Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
February Bloom
March Bloom
April Bloom
May Bloom
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October
November
December Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

55–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

327 days in Hardee County

Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Hardee County

Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after January 27 in Hardee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Hardee County dries quickly — mulch Nasturtium with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 102°F in Hardee County, provide afternoon shade for Nasturtium and water deeply in the morning.

General growing tips

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

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Nasturtium in Hardee County, FL?

Hardee County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of January 27. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hardee County, FL?

Hardee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is January 27 and first fall frost is December 20.

When should I plant Nasturtium in Hardee County County, ?

In Hardee County County, , plant Nasturtium after the last frost (around January 27) and before the first frost (around December 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Hardee County County, for Nasturtium?

Hardee County County sits in USDA Zone 9b. Nasturtium grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Nasturtium grow in Hardee County County's climate?

Yes — Nasturtium grows well in Hardee County County's temperate climate. Hardee County County averages a 328-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 27 and first frost around December 20.

🌱

Your Hardee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Hardee County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Hardee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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