How to Trim Nasturtium

Nasturtium Flowers

• 1

  Harvest the flowers and leaves for use in foods. The fresh growth makes a good addition to salads. Pinch the plant parts off between your fingers, or use scissors or a sharp knife to snip out individual stems.

• 2

  Prune the plants to train them to a trellis. Nasturtiums, from the Greek “to twine,” are not strong climbers, but some types will grow onto a support. For example, the Jewel of Africa variety has runners up to 8 feet long. Dwarf types will not require pruning.

• 3

  Trim nasturtium plants if they develop a leggy form. This will cause the plants to produce new growth. Trim sprawling and trailing types to balance out your plants, or to thin them as needed.

Watercress

• 4

  Harvest watercress at three weeks of age by using a sharp knife or hand sickle to cut the tops from the plants. Cut the plants off roughly 6 inches down their stems. Bunch the cuttings as you work. Cut the plants back to 4 inches tall if you want to allow them to regrow for multiple harvests.

• 5

  Trim the cut ends away from the harvested stems, keeping the top 4 inches of the plant for use. This will help eliminate some of the tough stems. Young stems and foliage offer better texture and flavor.

• 6

  Harvest watercress as you need it for a meal. The plants offer their best flavor during cool seasons. The greens store well for up to one week in the refrigerator, and you can use them in soups, salads and sauces.