When to Plant Nasturtium in Prince William County, VA
June in the garden — Prince William County, Virginia
June is a pivotal month for Prince William County, Virginia gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Bring in the nasturtium
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
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.
Prince William County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.
At an elevation of 372 feet, Prince William County receives approximately 46.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Nasturtium during the growing season.
Prince William County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7
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 Prince William County
How your county's soil matches Nasturtium's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) overlaps with Nasturtium's range (6.0–8.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Prince William County is excellent for Nasturtium — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Nasturtium.
How to Plant Nasturtium
Succession Planting Nasturtium
Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 22 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 | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Prince William 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 — Prince William County, VA
Nasturtium Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 13 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Direct Sow | April 13 | Apr 13 – May 4 |
| Bloom | June 8 | Jun 8 – Oct 12 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Direct Sow |
| 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 7a
📆 Growing Season
196 days in Prince William County
Growing Tips for Nasturtium in Prince William County
Direct sow Nasturtium outdoors after April 13 in Prince William 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 Prince William County, VA?
Prince William County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Nasturtium planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Prince William County, VA?
Prince William County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 26.
Your Prince William County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Prince William County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.