When to Plant Nasturtium in Durham, North Carolina (27708)

Location

Durham, North Carolina

ZIP Code

27708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Friday, March 27, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Sow Nasturtium directly outdoors 1 week after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Tropaeolum majus

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-18"

Spread 18"

Type Annual

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Low (drought tolerant)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Nasturtium in Durham?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, March 27, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

TomatoCucumberSquashRadish

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Nasturtium

See which plants help Nasturtium thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌍 Flower Garden Soil ✂️ Pruning Shears 🚿 Watering Can

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Common Nasturtium Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Alaska

open-pollinated

Variegated white-splashed leaves with bright mixed flowers; edible blooms and leaves.

Jewel Mix

open-pollinated

Classic bushy mix of red, orange, and yellow flowers; most commonly grown variety.

Empress of India

heirloom

Heirloom compact variety with deep scarlet flowers against dark blue-green foliage.

Moonlight

open-pollinated

Trailing variety with pale yellow flowers; beautiful in hanging baskets.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Seeds ripen quickly after flowering — collect wrinkled, tan-brown seeds directly from the plant.

Processing

Pick seeds when tan and firm, lay flat to dry for 2 weeks before storing.

Seed Viability

Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Large, easy-to-handle seeds make nasturtium one of the best plants for beginner seed savers.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 32 plants of Nasturtium. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Nasturtium in Durham, North Carolina? +

In Durham (Zone 8a), direct sow Nasturtium outdoors around Friday, March 27, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Durham, North Carolina? +

The average last spring frost date for Durham, North Carolina (ZIP 27708) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Nasturtium take to grow? +

Nasturtium typically matures in about 60 days from direct sowing. In Durham, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, March 27, 2026 plus 60 days.

Should I start Nasturtium indoors or direct sow in North Carolina? +

Nasturtium does best when direct sown outdoors. In Durham, sow directly around Friday, March 27, 2026.

📚 More Nasturtium Planting Guides

🗺️

Nasturtium in North Carolina

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Nasturtium Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Durham

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Nasturtium in Zone 8a

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) is a popular garden vegetable. In Durham, North Carolina, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, March 27, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Nasturtium grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.