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When to plant Nasturtium in Coffee County, GA

Coffee County's spring Nasturtium window runs February 15 through March 8. aim for a steady week of warm soil before planting.

When to Plant Nasturtium in Coffee County, GA

Coffee County, Georgia Zone 9a June

Your June planting checklist for Coffee County, Georgia

Welcome to June in Zone 9a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 8
Avg. first frost November 22
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. It's harvest week for nasturtium

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Before July arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Coffee County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 110 feet, Coffee County receives approximately 59.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Nasturtium may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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
Coffee County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Coffee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Feb 7 🌸 Bloom: Apr 4 – Oct 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Feb 15 🌸 Bloom: Apr 12 – Oct 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Mar 5 🌸 Bloom: Apr 30 – Oct 29

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 Coffee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.3) is more acidic than Nasturtium prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Nasturtium prefers dry conditions but your soil drains poorly. Use raised beds or mounded rows to prevent root rot.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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 259-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 18 to harvest before frost.

Nasturtium Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Coffee 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 ~1,275 GDD — county provides 5,503 GDD Excellent fit

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Coffee County, GA

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1
Direct Sow February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 8
Bloom April 12 Apr 12 – Oct 11

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

259 days in Coffee County

Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Coffee County

Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after March 08 in Coffee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Coffee County's clay soil (32% 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 Coffee County, GA?

Coffee County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coffee County, GA?

Coffee County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 22.

When should I plant Nasturtium in Coffee County, GA?

In Coffee County, GA, plant Nasturtium after the last frost (around March 8) and before the first frost (around November 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Coffee County, GA for Nasturtium?

Coffee 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 Coffee County's climate?

Yes — Nasturtium grows well in Coffee County's temperate climate. Coffee County averages a 259-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 8 and first frost around November 22.

🌱

Your Coffee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Coffee 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 Coffee County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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