When to Plant Nasturtium in Fayette County, TX
Your June game plan for Fayette County, Texas
Here's what deserves your attention in Fayette County, Texas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Bring in the nasturtium
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
July will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Fayette County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 27 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 274 days.
At an elevation of 57 feet, Fayette County receives approximately 70 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Nasturtium, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Nasturtium root diseases.
Fayette County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay
Soil pH
6.8-8.2
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 Fayette County
How your county's soil matches Nasturtium's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–8.2) overlaps with Nasturtium's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
Heavy clay soil (48% clay) in Fayette County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Nasturtium.
How to Plant Nasturtium
Succession Planting Nasturtium
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 24 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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 2.2" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 2.2" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 10.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 11.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 8.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 8.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 2.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in Fayette 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 — Fayette County, TX
Nasturtium Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 30 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 6 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Direct Sow | February 6 | Feb 6 – Feb 27 |
| Bloom | April 3 | Apr 3 – Oct 2 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | — |
| April | Bloom |
| May | Bloom |
| 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 9a
📆 Growing Season
274 days in Fayette County
Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Fayette County
Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after February 27 in Fayette County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With Fayette County's clay soil (48% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Nasturtium. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
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 Fayette County, TX?
Fayette County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 27. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Fayette County, TX?
Fayette County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 27 and first fall frost is November 28.
Your Fayette County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Fayette County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.