Tropaeolum Species, Mastuerzo, Garden Nasturtium, Indian Cress, Monks Cress

I guerrilla garden them every year here in Holland, on places I walk by that are without any vegetation and could use some easy and fast ...Read Moregrowing plants to cheer up the area! Also always used them in our vegetable garden under the bean stakes, the lice will spare your beans then and will go for the tropaeolum because they are one of their favorite foods!

I've used the leaves and flowers in salads as well, theyre great to give it a touch of spice, you could compare it with rocket salad flavor, they could be distant family flavor wise!

the leave's can also be added to a summery soup for some green coloring and extra spice once again. You can also use them together with a vegetable mix and stir fry them!

One time I remember now, i've also used the flowers in an ice cube tray, they're a real eye catcher if you use them in a big can of lemonade or some lovely cocktails on a sunny afternoon.

I guess you can be as creative as you'd like to be when it comes to using this all time classic, it's a shame not to grow some if you have space, even if it's outside somewhere in the area you live, just to cheer up the world a bit, and just because you simply can and it barely takes any effort compared to the rewards many will enjoy all year long!

Here in Holland they even survive the winters if they're not to cold, and grow out to become a massive jungle sometimes!

Have a lot of fun growing and sowing and reaping the rewards people! wish you all the best, ciao!

I think it is safe to say that this plant has naturalized on the Pacific strip of the Western US. It grows in untended areas all over San...Read More Diego, covering city-block size areas. I have seen large and established colonies of this plant as far north as San Francisco (which is certainly not Zone 10b). It can actually become a bit of a nuisance in gardens but it is easy to control and beautiful. It seems to adapt to different levels of sunshine by growing larger leaves in shady areas and smaller ones in full sun.

Probably best to direct sow these. I tried growing them indoors first and only got one to take off out of the ten I tried...but one is a...Read Morell I needed!

It's nearing the end of August and that one has trailed along the ground at least ten feet. It is growing like our butternut squash (and kind of resembles it on a smaller scale).

I have red flowers all over the vine. Since it's in my front yard I don't get to stare at it very often, but I wouldn't doubt that this flower probably attracts a bunch of hummers. I might try planting it in my backyard next year and see if my theory is correct. :-)

All in all, a great plant. I let my flowerbed get overrun with weeds (I have a couple of toddlers and no time!) and this one plant just flourished. It climbed around my house and onto my porch. Sure, it's a bit messy...but had I taken the time to trellis it I bet it would be even more pretty.

These will flower madly in poor soil, need little watering, and have a slight peppery flavor added to salads. May also be floated on soup...Read Mores, or cooked down into any savory dish as a seasoning. The flowers are also a beautiful garnish with a few sprigs of parsley on the side of a steak platter.