When to Plant Nasturtium in Jackson County, OR
Jackson County, Oregon gardeners: here's your June plan
Each item below is timed to Jackson County, Oregon's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Fire up the seed-starting tray: nasturtium
You're about 16 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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Start harvesting nasturtium
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Looking ahead to July
- First harvests: nasturtium
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.
Jackson County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.
At an elevation of 422 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 46 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season.
Jackson County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Nasturtium Planting Risk Windows
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 Jackson County
How your county's soil matches Nasturtium's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–6.4) is more acidic than Nasturtium prefers (6.0–8.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Jackson County is excellent for Nasturtium — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Nasturtium.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Nasturtium will thrive.
How to Plant Nasturtium
Succession Planting Nasturtium
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 06 to harvest before frost.
Nasturtium Water Budget
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 | — | 6.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 5.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.7" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 0.7" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 1" | 1.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 1.8" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 6.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 8.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Jackson 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 Planting Timeline — Jackson County, OR
Nasturtium Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Direct Sow | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 21 |
| Bloom | June 25 | Jun 25 – Nov 26 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | Bloom |
| 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 8a
📆 Growing Season
156 days in Jackson County
Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Jackson County
Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after May 07 in Jackson 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Nasturtium in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Nasturtium in Jackson County, OR?
Jackson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of May 7. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Jackson County, OR?
Jackson County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is May 7 and first fall frost is October 10.
Your Jackson County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Jackson County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.