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When to plant Nasturtium in Webster County, KY

In Webster County, plant Nasturtium in spring between April 6 and April 27, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Webster County's last frost averages April 6, so most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. For a fall crop, sow between and — roughly 55–65 days before the first frost on October 31.

When to Plant Nasturtium in Webster County, KY

Webster County, Kentucky Zone 7a July

Your July planting checklist for Webster County, Kentucky

Welcome to July in Zone 7a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 31
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Bring in the nasturtium

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

August will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Webster County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 2,039 feet, Webster County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Webster County, KY (Zone 7a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Mar 29 🌸 Bloom: May 24 – Sep 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 6 🌸 Bloom: Jun 1 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (33 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 17 🌸 Bloom: Jun 12 – Oct 16

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 Webster County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) overlaps with Nasturtium's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Webster 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

4
successive plantings in your 208-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 27 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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 3.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 3.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Webster 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 ~1,050 GDD — county provides 3,640 GDD Excellent fit

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Webster County, KY

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 27
Bloom June 1 Jun 1 – Oct 5

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
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

208 days in Webster County

Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Webster County

Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after April 06 in Webster 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 Webster County, KY?

Webster County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, KY?

Webster County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 31.

When should I plant Nasturtium in Webster County, KY?

In Webster County, KY, plant Nasturtium after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 31). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Webster County, KY for Nasturtium?

Webster 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 Webster County's climate?

Yes — Nasturtium grows well in Webster County's temperate climate. Webster County averages a 208-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 31.

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Your Webster County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Webster 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.

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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 Webster County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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