When to Plant Nasturtium in Emery County, UT
June in the garden — Emery County, Utah
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Sow nasturtium in trays indoors
A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.
Before July arrives, get these ready
- 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.
Emery County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.
At an elevation of 7,259 feet, Emery County receives approximately 15.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Nasturtium successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Emery County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.9
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 Emery County
How your county's soil matches Nasturtium's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.9) is within Nasturtium's preferred range (6.0–8.0).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Emery County is excellent for Nasturtium — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Nasturtium.
How to Plant Nasturtium
Succession Planting Nasturtium
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 31 to harvest before frost.
Nasturtium Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 2" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.1" | 1.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 1.4" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 1.6" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 1.1" | 1.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 2.2" | 1.5" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Emery 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 — Emery County, UT
Nasturtium Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 13 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Direct Sow | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 8 |
| Bloom | July 13 | Jul 13 – Nov 2 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | Bloom |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
55–65 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–8 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
146 days in Emery County
Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Emery County
Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after May 11 in Emery County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Emery County receives only 16" of rain annually. Nasturtium needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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 Emery County, UT?
Emery County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Emery County, UT?
Emery County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.
Your Emery County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Emery 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.