Blog

When to Plant Nasturtium in Foard County, TX

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.

Foard County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 232 days.

At an elevation of 1,496 feet, Foard County receives approximately 57.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Nasturtium root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Foard County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
232 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
232 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Foard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Nasturtium Planting Timeline — Foard County, TX

Nasturtium Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 – Apr 7
Bloom May 12 May 12 – Oct 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Bloom
June Bloom
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

232 days in Foard County

Growing Tips for Foard 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 Foard County, TX?

Foard County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Foard County, TX?

Foard County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Foard County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Foard 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Foard County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.