Nasturtium is not only very decorative, easy to care for and tasty, it is also a popular remedy and home remedy for diseases of the upper respiratory tract and urinary tract infections. You will hardly be able to find a prettier remedy for cystitis.

The right watering

So that the nasturtium can grow luxuriantly and tendrils, it needs plenty of water. Nevertheless, waterlogging should be avoided, because she doesn't like it at all. Giving a lot of fertilizer may be well intentioned, but it only causes the nasturtium to develop numerous leaves and hardly bloom. A little compost in the spring is quite sufficient.

Nasturtiums in winter

Nasturtium is not hardy. It is often only grown as an annual. If the first frost freezes them, then you just have to sow them again next spring. However, you can also let your nasturtium overwinter in a frost-free, bright location. However, you need a lot of space for this. It is particularly worthwhile for special varieties or potted plants.

If you would like to have the same variety of nasturtium next year, but cannot offer it a suitable winter place, then collect seeds of this plant and sow them in spring or plant cuttings. Cuttings are effectively clones, but seeds are not identical to the mother plant.

Diseases of Nasturtium

The worst enemy of the nasturtium is the aphid, and it suffers greatly from it. The caterpillar of the cabbage white is also very hard on her. You can also combat both biologically, so that you can still eat the nasturtium later.

Harvesting the nasturtium

The nasturtium can be used in many ways. You can enjoy the dug up tuber cooked. You can harvest the young leaves and add them to your salad as a flavorful addition or use them as a topping for bread. The decorative flowers are also edible and are ideal for preparing flower butter, as an edible decoration for a buffet or for salads.

Nasturtium buds are often used as a substitute for capers. To do this, boil the washed buds in a broth of vinegar, water and salt and pour this mixture into a clean screw-top jar while it is still hot. You close this tightly immediately, then the "wrong" capers can be kept for a few months.

You can also pickle the blossoms of the nasturtium in vinegar to preserve them. However, these are not cooked, but pickled raw. Make sure the buds are completely covered with vinegar so they don't go moldy. Use a mild apple cider vinegar, it harmonises well with the taste of the delicately aromatic blossoms.

The essentials in brief:

  • pour copiously
  • Avoid waterlogging
  • Big need of space
  • climbing aid
  • not hardy
  • Leaves, bulbs, buds and flowers are edible

tips and tricks

If you use parts of your nasturtium in the kitchen, then avoid using chemical pesticides.

UE

Category:

Vegetable garden