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When to plant Nasturtium in Lawrence County County,

For Nasturtium in Lawrence County County, the safe spring window opens around April 14 and closes around May 5. Last expected frost is April 14, first fall frost October 26, giving a 195-day growing season.

When to Plant Nasturtium in Lawrence County, KY

Lawrence County, Kentucky Zone 6b June

June in the garden — Lawrence County, Kentucky

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Lawrence County, Kentucky.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Start harvesting nasturtium

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

Looking ahead to July
  • 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.

Lawrence County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 2,351 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Lawrence County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26
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Lawrence County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 8 🌸 Bloom: Jun 3 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🌸 Bloom: Jun 9 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (17 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 2 🌸 Bloom: Jun 27 – Oct 24

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 Lawrence County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.8) overlaps with Nasturtium's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Lawrence 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 (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Nasturtium.

How to Plant Nasturtium

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

Succession Planting Nasturtium

4
successive plantings in your 195-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 22 to harvest before frost.

Nasturtium Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lawrence 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 ~1,095 GDD — county provides 3,558 GDD Excellent fit

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Lawrence County, KY

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Bloom June 9 Jun 9 – Oct 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

195 days in Lawrence County

Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Lawrence County

Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after April 14 in Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, KY?

Lawrence County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lawrence County, KY?

Lawrence County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Nasturtium in Lawrence County County, ?

In Lawrence County County, , plant Nasturtium after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lawrence County County, for Nasturtium?

Lawrence County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Nasturtium grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Nasturtium grow in Lawrence County County's climate?

Yes — Nasturtium grows well in Lawrence County County's temperate climate. Lawrence County County averages a 195-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 26.

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Your Lawrence County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lawrence County (Zone 6b). 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 Lawrence County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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