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When to plant Nasturtium in Appling County, GA

Spring Nasturtium in Appling County goes in February 18–March 11, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Nasturtium in Appling County, GA

Appling County, Georgia Zone 9a July

Appling County, Georgia gardeners: here's your July plan

Your Appling County, Georgia garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for July and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost March 11
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 92°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.9 hrs
  1. Bring in the nasturtium

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Get ahead of August
  • 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.

Appling County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 285 feet, Appling County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Nasturtium, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. 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
Appling County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 11
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

Appling County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Feb 8 🌸 Bloom: Apr 5 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Feb 18 🌸 Bloom: Apr 15 – Oct 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Mar 7 🌸 Bloom: May 2 – Oct 31

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 Appling County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.5) is more acidic than Nasturtium prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Appling County is excellent for Nasturtium — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Nasturtium.

How to Plant Nasturtium

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

Succession Planting Nasturtium

5
successive plantings in your 253-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 15 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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Appling 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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 4,807 GDD Excellent fit

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Appling County, GA

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 4
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 – Mar 11
Bloom April 15 Apr 15 – Oct 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 9a

📆 Growing Season

253 days in Appling County

Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Appling County

Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after March 11 in Appling County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Appling County's clay soil (33% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Nasturtium. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Appling County, GA?

Appling County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 11. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Appling County, GA?

Appling County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 11 and first fall frost is November 19.

When should I plant Nasturtium in Appling County, GA?

In Appling County, GA, plant Nasturtium after the last frost (around March 11) and before the first frost (around November 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Appling County, GA for Nasturtium?

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

Can Nasturtium grow in Appling County's climate?

Yes — Nasturtium grows well in Appling County's temperate climate. Appling County averages a 253-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 11 and first frost around November 19.

🌱

Your Appling County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Appling County (Zone 9a). 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 Appling County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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