In the world of gardening, there are plants that beautify green spaces and also play a crucial role in health and balance of the small ecosystems that are the garden or orchard.

One of these gems is the nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), a plant that, according to gardener Joseph Clark, known on social networks as @joesgarden.official, has no doubts: “This plant should be in all orchards and gardens, regardless of size.”

The reason? Why should we always plant nasturtiums? Well, this plant not only is she beautifulwith its vibrant flowers in shades of orange, yellow and red, but acts as a natural protector for the other plants.

a versatile plant and all of it edible!

Clark highlights several reasons for including it in the garden. The most immediate is that it is beautiful and easy to grow. But what really makes it special is its versatility.

For a start, “every part is completely edible”, he says, and recommends adding its leaves to summer salads. Its flavor, according to what it says, is similar to that of arugula, with a spicy and fresh touch.

The flowers, with a flavor between spicy and sweet, They are also eaten and provide a note of color and beauty to the dish. They can be used in salads, as edible decoration or to prepare flavored oils. Even the seeds can be pickled and used as a substitute for capers.

An anti-pest plant

iStock Photo.Toni Jardon

Beyond their ornamental or gastronomic value, Clark insists on the enormous value of nasturtiums as biological control tool.

“They are a magnet for slugs and other bugs,” explains. Instead of going straight for tomatoes, lettuce or cabbages, these pests concentrate on the nasturtiums, which protects the most delicate species in the garden.

Cabbage white butterflies, one of the most common threats to these vegetables also have a predilection for this plant. “They love to lay their eggs under the nasturtium leaves,” Clark says. This allows them to divert their attention and prevent them from ruining other more valuable plants in the garden.

Easy to grow and resistant

You don’t need to have gardening experience to enjoy its benefits. “They are super easy to grow,” he assures.

Once planted, they practically take care of themselves. They require little maintenance, They tolerate poor soils and, once established, tolerate changes in climate and occasional lack of irrigation well.

Besides, They have a great capacity for regeneration. Although they disappear in winter, their ability to reproduce on their own makes them a practical perennial.

“If you plant one or two, you will have them for life,” Clark says. Every spring, the seeds that fall to the ground sprout spontaneously, filling the garden with new specimens.

How to take care of them so that they give their best

For them to grow healthy and flowery, the ideal is Place them in a place with good sunlight, at least six hours a day.

Although they tolerate partial shade, they bloom best in full sun. He irrigation should be regular, but without flooding, as excess water can encourage the appearance of fungi.

They also do not need excess fertilizer, since a very rich soil can cause them to develop more leaves than flowers. If they grow too much, just trim them slightly to shape them and encourage new flowers.

How to incorporate them into the garden

Clark recommends planting nasturtiums near sensitive cropssuch as cabbage, tomatoes, peppers or spinach.

They can also be placed in edges of the orchard, forming a kind of natural barrier which at the same time beautifies the environment.

Its colorful flowering—in shades of orange, red and yellow—attracts pollinators, such as bees and bumblebees, which contribute to improving fruit production.

Additionally, they can be grown in pots, planters or even on balconies. They do not need rich soils or special substrates. With some sun and regular watering, they grow quickly and spread, covering the ground like a colorful green carpet.

One plant, many uses

But it is in its ability to protect other plants where its greatest virtue lies. “It is possibly the most useful plant I have in the garden,” summarizes Joseph Clark. And no wonder, few species offer so much for so little effort.

Clark’s message is clear and direct, grow nasturtiums! For its beauty, for its flavor, for its ability to protect other plants.

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