Thursday, October 14, 2010

Do We Have Any Volunteers?

One of my favorite flowers is the nasturtium. I always plant some in my garden, in flower boxes, in pots, here-there-and-everywhere. I didn't plant even one this year. (I guess that makes a sham of my previous sentence, doesn't it?) Why didn't I? (Please don't ask me any hard questions, I didn't sleep well at all last night.)

When I pulled the pea vines off their trellises this year (gosh, that seems like a loooong time ago), I noticed one little nasturtium plant poking through the soil at the end of one of the trellises. Could it have been mixed in with the pea seeds? Or was it a volunteer left over from last year's garden?

I took this picture yesterday when I was in the garden taking down the trellises (finally) and putting them away for the winter. This gorgeous plant has grown HUGE. It measures about four feet across.

It's loaded with red/orange (my fave) perfect blossoms

When hubby comes down from his upstairs office, he has commented several times on how much he enjoys looking down on it.

Now why can't I get my purposefully planted nasturtiums to grow so big, beautiful and luxuriant? Huh? HUH?

12 comments:

Jenyfer Matthews said...

The children had a window box outside of their bedroom in our last place (in Cairo) and every time I would plant anything in it and water, nasturtium would volunteer. Took me a while to figure out what it was and to encourage them. They are pretty aren't they? And seems to me that the volunteer plants always grow the best!

Had some blossoms in a salad this summer - tasty too!

Susan said...

I love nasturtiums, too. I grew some in a tire this year - part of my BHGM (Beverly Hillbilly Gardening Method). I have them in salads and tuck them behind my ear. I am hoping for volunteers next year if they're anything like yours! It's a beaut!

Erin said...

Wow, it's very pretty! I grew 2 different types this year and they both turned out horrible! Hardly any flowers and brown leaves, I hope it was just the unbearable heat and not the soil...

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

Mine nasturtium did poor also. I see a big colorful salad in your future Mamapea.

Mama Pea said...

Jen - So where do you think your volunteer nasturtiums in the window box were coming from?

Susan - You must make it a point to post pictures of your BHGM method. We could all probably learn something from you! (Heck, doesn't have a tire or two hanging around that we could put to good use?)

Erin - Don't know how anything could have grown in the heat you had this summer. I do know that nasturtiums like poor soil. If the soil is too rich, you'll get all foliage and no blossoms. How's that for throwing a monkey wrench in our thinking?

Jane - We were invited to friends for dinner last week and I was going to bring a big tossed salad with nasturtiums all over the top and wow 'em. (Unfortunately, the hostess got sick and we had to cancel.)

Chicken Mama said...

Hey, Mom!!! You now have 100 (!!!!) regular readers / followers . . . and MANY more, I'll bet: those who don't sign up as followers! You are SUCH a fantastic blogger!

xoxo

She Who Taught You Everything (BLOG-wise!) xo

The Apple Pie Gal said...

Those are very pretty!

Why didn't you sleep good last night? Too many lattes?

Mama Pea said...

Chickie Mama - I noticed I had hit the hundred mark this morning and am very grateful to all who have signed up as Followers!

And you're absolutely right. You have taught me everything I know (BLOG-wise)! But there is still sooo much I can't do! But then why should I when I have you as such a competent Web Master?? (Web Mistress? Geesh, that doesn't even sound right.)

That reminds me, I have 'bout 75 small, little things (shouldn't take more than 8-10 hours of your time) I'd like you to do . . . ;o)

Apple Pie Gal - Thanx!

Didn't sleep well because I was so busy worrying. Worry, worry, worry. Doesn't do any good, does it? Well, not unless you come up with something that might help the situation. I think I did. Kinda/sorta. Maybe. Not really, but it made me feel a little better. (Told you I need a therapist.)

You Can Call Me Jane said...

What a gorgeous plant. Dare I tell you I've never planted/grown one? Please don't frown at me.

I haven't said this yet (I don't think), but I love your new header picture. Just lovely:-).

Mama Pea said...

ThyHand - Nasturtiums come in all kinds of gorgeous colors and grow well in window boxes, pots, wherever if they can get enough sun. Give them a try next year, why don't ya?

Thank you so much for the nice words regarding my new blog header photo. My daughter is definitely the real photographer in the family so your compliment means a lot to me.

Mama Pea said...

ThyHand - Nasturtiums come in all kinds of gorgeous colors and grow well in window boxes, pots, wherever if they can get enough sun. Give them a try next year, why don't ya?

Thank you so much for the nice words regarding my new blog header photo. My daughter is definitely the real photographer in the family so your compliment means a lot to me.

The Sassy Butterfly's Chaotic Musings said...

That is one big beautiful plant!! I tried several years ago to grow them, but they stayed small and they never bloomed.. just lots of foliage.

Now that I know the 'trick'... give them nothing but 'tough love', haha I'll definitely give them a go again this year. Don't they also repel some type of garden pest when planted around certain veggies?

Take care!
~Wendy