This year's Nasturtiums

[fabindia]

My nasturtiums have been really great this year. They have grown to about 9th but the amazing thing is no aphid infestation. I have always found nasturtiums to be magnets for aphids but this year not a one. I don't use any insecticides so it isn't that.

[Annie]

mine have been like triffids some of the leaves were as big as my hand. Best thing in the garden this year

[manda]

I want to grow Nasturtiums ...I think I said this in another thread ...I want to make a caper substitute and you can do this with the pods of the Nasturtiums.

[lancashire lass]

I have always found nasturtiums to be magnets for aphids but this year not a one. I don't use any insecticides so it isn't that.

This year the pest problem has been quite low and there are 2 possibilities - we had a very harsh winter so some may have died. The other is a high number of ladybirds around - I found them everywhere this year Normally my broad beans get covered in blackfly but this year were totally free.

[Homemade]

Aphid and Cabbage whites! But none of those either this year .
Manda- I make capers with mine - just drop young seeds into a jar of vinegar and keep adding as you get more.

[manda]

How do they compare to the real thing Homemade?

[Maggie1]

Here the only thing we've had a glut of is slugs and snails.

[Homemade]

How do they compare to the real thing Homemade?

Quite good for flavour. Obviously the vinegar is also strong so would taste different if you are used to salted capers.

Just been out picking some more - they are quite fiddly to pick as they hide and drop just as you go to pick them! Pick them green before they go woody otherwise they are too tough.

[LittleBrownFrog]

My nasturtiums have been disappointing this year thick short stubby stems, enormous leaves and very few flowers. First time nasturtiums have ever failed for me.

[manda]

Homemade....

[rhubarb93]

The flowers are delicious in salads too - peppery like watercress. I never plant Nasturtians these days - after planting a few several years back, they just pop up like weeds all over my allotment. Great groundcover and easy to pull up if they get too big for their boots.

[lancashire lass]

after planting a few several years back, they just pop up like weeds all over my allotment

yes, I had this - the pallet compost bin looked really pretty with the nasturtiums growing through the slats, but at one point the ones on the plot were becoming an infestation and worse than the weeds!

[fabindia]

worse than the weeds

..... but much prettier

Hey Lancashire Lass you were up early today. I am not usually online this early but watching the rugby.

[lancashire lass]

worse than the weeds

..... but much prettier

Hey Lancashire Lass you were up early today

... my body seems to think 5 hours sleep is all I need, but by 9pm I'm so tired and ready for bed. If I push bedtime past 10pm, I'm then in the wide awake club until 2am instead Rather than toss and turn, it's easier to get up and do things