We love showy flowers that grow from seed within the season. Nasturtiums are easy to grow and maintain under the wide range of conditions on the Northern Plains.
At Plant Exchange, nasturtiums grow beautifully into fall, when long season plants look weary. It’s also the right timing for them. Tiny white butterfly caterpillars associated with broccoli and cabbage damage also enjoy nasturtium leaves, and these insects decline in cooler weather, without having to use insect spray.
Flowers are mainly red, yellow, or orange with summer green round leaves. They grow well in full sun to partial shade areas. Nasturtiums can be planted and grow to maturity within the season here or grow from starter plants. They may be planted in-ground as edging mounds, as ground cover, or as an attractive space filler. In pots or hanging baskets, some trail as an added feature.
Nasturtiums grow in a wide range of soils, including clay and sandy soils of this region. They require adequate water but little added fertilizer. They produce lots of green foliage with few blooms if over-fertilized.
We started these plants in late July. In August, as young round caps, they hardly grew in the searing summer heat and wind. Now, in daily temperatures ranging from the 70s to 40s F., they flourish. Accounting for unexpected growing conditions that always occur, and frost approaching by mid-month, it may be wiser to start them in early July next year with less fertilizer!
Do share your late season growing comments if you wish. Thanks for your visit to Plant Exchange blog today!
Plant Exchange Blog 
Dago pansies!
They are still my favorites! I have tried several varieties. They naturalize, and with few exceptions, revert to their simple yellow and orange. Red is rare in naturalized colonies. Fortunately, the yellow and orange are still my favorites anyway.