Blog

When to plant Nasturtium in Floyd County County,

The best window to plant Nasturtium in Floyd County County, is April 21–May 12, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 21; first frost October 21.

When to Plant Nasturtium in Floyd County, KY

Floyd County, Kentucky Zone 7a June

Your June planting checklist for Floyd County, Kentucky

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 21
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Bring in the nasturtium

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

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

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Floyd County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 2,218 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season. 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
Floyd County, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Floyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 9 – Oct 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 21 🌸 Bloom: Jun 16 – Oct 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 13 Transplant: May 11 🌸 Bloom: Jul 6 – Nov 9

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 Floyd County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–7.1) overlaps with Nasturtium's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Nasturtium.

How to Plant Nasturtium

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

Succession Planting Nasturtium

3
successive plantings in your 183-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.

Nasturtium Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Floyd 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 ~1,005 GDD — county provides 3,065 GDD Excellent fit

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Floyd County, KY

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 – May 12
Bloom June 16 Jun 16 – Oct 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

183 days in Floyd County

Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Floyd County

Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after April 21 in Floyd County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Floyd County, KY?

Floyd County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Floyd County, KY?

Floyd County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Nasturtium in Floyd County County, ?

In Floyd County County, , plant Nasturtium after the last frost (around April 21) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Floyd County County, for Nasturtium?

Floyd County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Nasturtium grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Nasturtium grow in Floyd County County's climate?

Yes — Nasturtium grows well in Floyd County County's temperate climate. Floyd County County averages a 183-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 21 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Floyd County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Floyd County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.