The Pretty Orange Flower That Can Suppress Weeds & Deter Pests From Your Peach Tree

Your garden is your pride and joy, and it is never fun to see damage to your crops and trees. If you want to successfully grow a peach tree, keeping it free from pests is essential. But that doesn't mean you need to reach for the chemicals. Instead, it is helpful to turn to nature to find solutions. There are some amazing plants that work as natural pest control, and one of these is nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus). But the benefits of this beautiful bloom don't just stop at pest prevention. It is also a fast-growing, sprawling plant that can quickly cover the ground and suppress weeds.  

With their bright orange and red blooms and big, round leaves, nasturtiums are a charming addition to your yard. Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 and grown as an annual in other zones, they bloom from late spring to the first frost. As they attract insects such as aphids and beetles, they take them away from your peach tree. These pests can be quite damaging, so nasturtium may be your flowering hero and come to the rescue when your peach trees are in need. Thankfully, these dazzling flowers are not that sensitive and can deal well with pest invasions themselves. 

Nasturtiums can be grown from seed, or you can purchase seedlings to add to your garden. If you are growing them from seed, sow them directly in your garden in late spring when there is no risk of frost. They need darkness to germinate, so bury them 1/2 inch deep into the soil. If you are planting a lot of them, space them about 10 inches apart from each other so they have enough room to spread. Although you can start them off inside, nasturtiums tend not to transplant well, so it's best to plant them outside if you can. They grow best in poor, well-drained soil and can thrive in both full sun and light shade.  

These cheerful blooms are pretty easy to look after. They do better without fertilizer, as it can make them produce more leaves instead of flowers. You will need to water them throughout the growing season and deadhead them to promote more blooms. You may see a few pests on your nasturtiums, but it's okay! Your nasturtiums can handle them, and they are protecting the fruit on your peach tree. As your nasturtiums grow and spread, they will also naturally keep weeds out of the garden by shading the soil with their leaves.