Welcome to our easy guide on how to prune Nasturtium! Whether you’re new to gardening or have a green thumb, pruning Nasturtiums is a simple way to keep your plants healthy and beautiful. In this article, we’ll show you the best times to prune, the tools you’ll need, and step-by-step instructions on how to do it. With our tips, you’ll have lush, vibrant Nasturtiums that will make your garden shine. Let’s get started!
The Best Time to Prune Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are resilient and will often self-seed, returning year after year if they find their perfect spot. To keep them looking their best, prune them around mid-summer. If your Nasturtiums are starting to look leggy and sparse, this is the perfect time to act. A mid-summer trim encourages a burst of new growth and more vibrant flowers. By pruning at this time, you’ll help the plants maintain a fuller, healthier appearance throughout the season.
The Tools You’ll Need
Before diving into the pruning process, gather the necessary tools. A pair of sharp pruning shears (or scissors) will be your best friend for precision trimming. Additionally, wearing gloves will protect your hands from any pruning incidents. Also, we cannot stress it enough how important it is to always clean your tools before and after pruning to prevent the spread of disease between plants.
How to Prune Nasturtium
The pruning method you choose depends on your goal. If you want to keep your Nasturtiums in shape, focus on light trimming. Pinch off spent flowers and trim back any unruly stems. This will keep the plant looking neat and encourage more blooms.
On the other hand, if your Nasturtiums are taking over your garden, a more thorough cutback is needed. Trim the longest stems back significantly, up to one-third of the plant’s height. This helps control overgrowth and promotes healthier, bushier growth. Regular pruning not only keeps your garden tidy but also ensures your Nasturtiums stay vibrant and flourishing.
Deadheading Nasturtium Flowers
Deadheading your Nasturtiums can help extend their blooming season and keep your plants looking neat. While it’s not strictly necessary, it does promote tidiness and more blooms. To deadhead, use your pruning shears or scissors to snip off each spent blossom just above the nearest leaf.
Nasturtiums are quite hardy and will keep blooming as long as they’re in the right conditions, so feel free to deadhead regularly to keep your garden looking its best. Remember, if you want your Nasturtiums to self-seed and grow new plants, you should keep the deadheading to a minimum.
Pruning Leggy Nasturtium Stems
If your Nasturtium plants start to look leggy or sparse, it’s time for a trim. Using your pruning shears, carefully trim back any excessively long or overgrown stems to promote bushier growth.
- Prune Bushy Nasturtiums: Pinch off spent flowers and older stems back to where they meet other stems to keep the plant shapely.
- Trim Vining Nasturtiums: Cut the longest vines back by 6 to 12 inches using pruners to encourage new growth and prevent a messy look.
- Handle Vines Carefully: Use pruners to avoid breaking the vines, as they can break easily if pulled.
- Monitor and Repeat: Regularly check your plants and prune as needed to maintain a healthy, tidy appearance.
Aftercare
After pruning your Nasturtiums, you don’t need to do much for quick recovery. Just water the plants deeply to help them settle into their new shape. If you pruned your nasturtiums for more space and growth control, you should probably avoid fertilizing, because they can go wild pretty quickly with a little encouragement. Keep an eye out for signs of pests or disease, and address any issues promptly to prevent them from spreading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can nasturtium be cut back?
Nasturtiums can quickly take over your garden if you don’t prune them regularly. You should cut them back mid-summer if they are getting leggy.
Do I need to thin nasturtium?
Nasturtiums can quickly grow wild in your garden and take away sunlight from your other plants. If you already need to thin them, look for the main stems and prune those using sharp pruning shears.
Do nasturtiums need deadheading?
You don’t absolutely have to deadhead nasturtiums, but it can help if you want to promote more blooms. Trimming away the seed pods is also a good way to keep them from overtaking your garden
