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When to Plant Nasturtium in Morrow County, OH

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.

Morrow County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 800 feet, Morrow County receives approximately 34.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Morrow County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Morrow County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Morrow County, OH

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Bloom July 1 Jul 1 – Oct 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

55–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–8 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

169 days in Morrow County

Growing Tips for Morrow County

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 Morrow County, OH?

Morrow County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morrow County, OH?

Morrow County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Morrow County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Morrow County (Zone 6a). 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 Morrow County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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