Annual Flower

When to Plant Nasturtiums in Connecticut

Edible flowers that double as pest traps. Plant near vegetables to lure aphids away from your food crops.

The Short Answer

In Connecticut, plant nasturtiums based on your regional frost dates. Northern Connecticut has a last frost around May 1 - May 15, while Coastal Connecticut sees frost end around Apr 15 - May 1. Four distinct seasons. Maritime influence moderates coastal temperatures. Shorter growing season inland.

Connecticut Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Connecticut you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Connecticut 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10
Coastal Connecticut 6b, 7a Apr 15 - May 1 Oct 10 - Oct 25

Nasturtiums Planting Schedule for Connecticut

Northern Connecticut (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Coastal Connecticut (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 15 - May 1 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Start Seeds Indoors
2 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
1 wks after frost
Direct Sow
1 wks after frost

Growing Nasturtiums in Connecticut

Nasturtiums in Connecticut's Climate

Nasturtiums thrive from spring through frost in your climate. They prefer poor soil — don't fertilize or you'll get leaves without flowers. The trailing types spill beautifully from containers. Plant near tomatoes and squash to draw aphids away from your vegetable crops.

Soil Considerations for Connecticut

Rocky New England soil common. Acidic in many areas. Raised beds popular for dealing with rocky ground. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 55°F before planting nasturtiums outside.

Connecticut Climate & Growing Season

Four distinct seasons. Maritime influence moderates coastal temperatures. Shorter growing season inland. Nasturtiums cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Connecticut: Northern Connecticut (5b, 6a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 15, while Coastal Connecticut (6b, 7a) sees frost end around Apr 15 - May 1. This difference matters for nasturtiums — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Both flowers and young leaves are edible with a peppery taste. Thrives in poor soil — too much nitrogen means all leaves, no flowers.

Companion Planting

Plant nasturtiums alongside these companions for better growth:

Tomatoes Cucumbers Squash Beans

The Bottom Line

Nasturtiums can be grown successfully across Connecticut, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Connecticut gardeners should plan around a May 1 - May 15 last frost, while those in Coastal Connecticut can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Nasturtiums Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Connecticut Planting Calendar All plants for Connecticut Nasturtiums in Alabama Alabama planting dates Nasturtiums in Alaska Alaska planting dates Nasturtiums in Arizona Arizona planting dates Nasturtiums in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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