Indian Cress...

In the Garden | Culinary | Fragrance | Medicinal use

Popular garden varieties

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In the Garden

Growth Characteristics:

• Trailing Annual, Frost Sensitive,
• Height: ±60cm; Spread: As far as allowed to creep or trail up,

Varieties:

• Alaska :
  • Red, Orange and Yellow flowers with variegated leaves,
• Red Wonder :
  • Intense Red flowers with dark grey foliage

Cultivation:

• Full sun; Well drained, composted soil,

Harvesting:

• Pick fresh leaves and flowers throughout the year,
• Pick the seed pods just before they loose their green colour (for pickling in vinegar),

Companion Planting:

• Plant under fruit trees as a trap for pests,
• Vegetables: Plant with Cabbages, Broccoli, Other Brassica, Broad Beans,
• Nasturtiums will repel a wide range of harmful insects and make an excellent companion plant when planted in between rows of vegetables to keep pests, such as BLACKFLY away
• from cabbages and broad beans
• Attracting Beneficial insects: Butterfly gardening, a good food source; vivid colors,
• Host Plant for: Aphids, Attracts BLACKFLY to itself and away from vegetables,

Repellant for:

• WHITEFLY, WOOLLY APHIDS and ANTS

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Culinary use

Use The Peppery taste of Naturtium Leaves and Flowers with:

• Salads, Sandwiches, Garnish, Vinegars,
• Egg dishes,
• Use chopped leaves with Cottage cheese and other Spreads,
• Buds and Seeds are used as a substitute for capers,
• Ripe seeds are roasted and ground as a seasoning,

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Fragrance

• Add to bathwater for its antisepic and healing properties,

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Medicinal use

Nasturtium may be beneficial in the following cases:

Preparation and dosage:

TEA:

• 2-3 bruised leaves in a cup of boiling water. Infuse 15 minutes. One cup three times per day.

TINCTURE:

• 1-3 teaspoons in half a glass of water, three times a day.

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