when should I sow indian cress?

[4390evans]

Can someone tell me when I should sow indian cress out side? Ive looked on the net but not found anything x

[veggiechicken]

Never heard of it What did it say on the packet?

[4390evans]

doesnt say anything as to when to sow it, i got them from lidl the other day none of the seeds I bought say what month and where to sow..

They are also called Tropaeolum majus

Thanks
x

[WilliamD]

Just looked it up and it's quite an interesting plant, also known as Garden Nasturtium. On Kings Seeds site it says:

"Sow March and April for flowering from June to September. Early sowings under glass. Leaves are delicious in salads. Flowers are also edible. Green seeds used as capers."

[Alison]

Depends on where you are I suppose, haven't heard of New Herrington so not sure if it's UK or elsewhere. RE the seed packets themselves, in the past the ones I've bought from Lidl, although not having a specific date for sowing etc on them they've had a sort of coloured in bit with different zones for different parts of the world, a bit odd when you first look at it but fine when you've worked it out. Assuming you are UK based then it's too early to sow direct, would have though later March / April would probably be fine but not sure.

[Martin H]

I sow my nasturtiums when the soil has warmed up a bit in April. They don't like the cold nights. Or you could start some off in a pot on the windowsill in March and harden them off and plant them out in April, get a bit of a head start. They aren't fussy about soil although they like a bit of sun.

The blackfly love them and cabbage white caterpillars will eat them as well, so keep a close eye so you can squish the pests before they take over.

[Alison]

Ah, is Indian Cress simply another name for nasturtiums? Never heard them called that, in that case they're a doddle. I personally tend to sow them in 3" pots in about April then plant out about a month later but they really are very easy and probably would work well direct as I've had plenty of self sown ones crop up where I don't want them

[4390evans]

Yeah Im in the uk, Im in durham. It says they are annual, so does that mean they flower once a year every year with out having to be replaced?

[4390evans]

All the packs are like this, Ive managed to get sow dates for the others but needed some help on these. Think Ill wait till march/april as you suggested gonna put them on a trellis

[veggiechicken]

Annual means that they flower once, set seed and die within one year.
Biennial means that its takes 2 years to set seed and die.
Perennial means they come back every year and flower and set seed.

[4390evans]

ah thanks veggiechicken for some reason I can never remember and expect them to come back the following year haha

[Martin H]

Annuals set loads of seed, so just collect some in the autumn and you're all sorted for next season.

[Bren In Pots]

Lidl always use Roman numerals on their seed packets so yours says to sow IV-V which is the fourth and fifth month.

[4390evans]

Lidl always use Roman numerals on their seed packets so yours says to sow IV-V which is the fourth and fifth month.

ah thanks bren, Ill know for next time xx

[rustylady]

Yeah Im in the uk, Im in durham. It says they are annual, so does that mean they flower once a year every year with out having to be replaced?

No Jen, annual means grows and seeds in one year and then dies. Annuals need re-sowing every year.