What is the best month to plant zinnia seeds?
Our last frost date typically falls around May 15th (sometimes earlier), so we plant our zinnia seeds indoors in early April. By the time our seedlings are ready for the garden—around mid-May—they have a strong root system and are ready to take off in the warmer temperatures. Zinnias won’t tolerate cold so need to be sown in spring not autumn. Late spring sowings help avoid frosts. Plants should be planted outdoors only when all danger of frosts is past, normally June.Zinnias thrive in full sunlight and should be planted at the beginning of the warm weather season. They are short-day plants that flower when the day length is less than 11 hours; therefore, they are perfect for early spring planting when the nights are longer, Mbofung-Curtis says.Zinnias are annuals, so they’ll grow for one season to produce flowers and seeds, but the original plant will not come back in subsequent years. They have bright, solitary, daisy-like flower heads on a single, erect stem, which makes them great for use as a cutting flower or as food for butterflies.Saturate the potting mix with water and then place two zinnia seeds into each planting cell or pot. Press into the soil for good seed-to-soil contact and then cover with approximately half an inch of the potting mix.
How many years will zinnia seeds last?
Let the flowers mature, collect them, let them dry, then break them apart and keep the seeds in containers. Discard mushy or moldy pieces, and separate them from the healthy parts you’re saving. A healthy zinnia seed will last for three to five years. When it comes to saving Zinnia seed, I wait till the flower heads are brown on the plant, snip off, let dry inside a few more days and I toss in a brown paper bag to save for the next season. I let the Zinnias go to seed in the fall- usually late August in preparation for a mid October frost.Zinnias are annual plants, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season. They will bloom continuously throughout the growing season, which can last several months, as long as the spent flowers are deadheaded regularly.A general-purpose fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be incorporated into the soil at the time of planting. After planting, zinnias should be fertilized monthly using a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content than nitrogen to promote new blooms.Direct Sowing Zinnia Seeds For direct seeding, the best time to sow is generally a couple of weeks after the last frost date. Zinnias love warm temperatures, so it’s important not to plant them too early. Wait until the daytime temperatures are about 70°F. In my zone (5b), this is generally around early- to mid-May.Zinnias prefer well-drained soil. Water consistently throughout the season, or when the top inch of the soil is dry. Water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry.
Can I just scatter zinnia seeds?
If you’re sowing in rows or a larger garden bed, you can also scatter seeds lightly and thin them later, making sure the final spacing is 6-12 inches apart, depending on the variety. Giving each plant enough space helps improve airflow, prevents disease, and allows for fuller blooms. Sowing: Scatter your seeds or plant them in rows about ¼ inch deep. I prefer to sow generously and then thin the seedlings once they’re established, leaving 9-12 inches of space between plants for optimal airflow and growth.
What not to plant near zinnias?
Plants Not To Grow With Zinnias Zinnias also do not grow well in shade and may become leggy and weak without adequate sunshine. Avoid planting them with shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, hellebores, lobelia, and impatiens. The most important factor in growing zinnias is to choose a spot where they will get at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun each day. Zinnias can tolerate some light shade, especially in the hottest parts of the day, but the best blooms come from those grown in full, direct sunlight.Zinnias don’t like to be crowded—space plants 9–12 inches apart for airflow and fewer fungal issues. Powdery mildew can be a problem, especially in humid climates—good spacing helps prevent it. Zinnias are one of the best beginner flowers to grow—they’re quick to bloom and very forgiving.On average, zinnias will flower as soon as 60 days after planting, which is wonderful for the eager gardener. If left alone at the end of the season, they’ll produce hundreds of seeds that will readily reseed in the garden for next year.Zinnia Deadheading and Pruning. To get the most blooms on your zinnia plants, start with pinching off the top when the plants are small. Cutting off the top above a leaf node will force the plant to send out new side branches. It sounds counterintuitive, but to keep zinnia plants blooming, cut off flowers regularly.
What is the secret to growing zinnias?
Watering: Zinnias need moist soil to grow their best. This is especially true of young plants. Water deeply a few times a week so the soil stays moist 6 to 8 inches deep. Don’t overwater because zinnias can also succumb to rot diseases especially on wet, clay soils. Zinnias are considered a “dirty flower” in that they make vase water dirty, so you can either add a drop or two of bleach in with your flower food or change out the water every couple of days.Plants Not To Grow With Zinnias Zinnias also do not grow well in shade and may become leggy and weak without adequate sunshine. Avoid planting them with shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, hellebores, lobelia, and impatiens.No, soaking zinnia seeds before planting is not necessary. Zinnia seeds germinate readily when planted directly into moistened soil and providing warmth, sunlight, and keeping the soil moist during germination is sufficient. Can zinnias grow in pots? Yes, Zinnias can be easily grown in pots.Step Three: Store dried zinnia flowers over winter You can remove the petals and store your seeds inside seed-saving packets, or you can leave the dried petals attached and simply store the intact blooms in a Ziploc bag.Why Zinnias Belong in Every Container Garden. Every gardener needs a flower they can count on—one that gives more than it takes, thrives with a little attention, and transforms outdoor spaces with color. That’s the zinnia. Zinnias are fast-growing, long-blooming annuals that are practically made for container gardens.
Do I need to soak my zinnia seeds before planting?
No, soaking zinnia seeds before planting is not necessary. Zinnia seeds germinate readily when planted directly into moistened soil and providing warmth, sunlight, and keeping the soil moist during germination is sufficient. Direct Sowing Zinnia Seeds For direct seeding, the best time to sow is generally a couple of weeks after the last frost date. Zinnias love warm temperatures, so it’s important not to plant them too early. Wait until the daytime temperatures are about 70°F. In my zone (5b), this is generally around early- to mid-May.When it comes to saving Zinnia seed, I wait till the flower heads are brown on the plant, snip off, let dry inside a few more days and I toss in a brown paper bag to save for the next season. I let the Zinnias go to seed in the fall- usually late August in preparation for a mid October frost.Wait until spring to sow zinnia seeds. Zinnias are warm-season annuals that thrive in warm soil and won’t survive frost. Planting in the fall risks seeds rotting or being damaged by winter weather. Instead, store seeds in a cool, dry place over winter.So, just how many blooms can you get from a zinnia plant? By following these tips to maximize your blooms, for every 10 or so blooms that you remove from your plant, you’ll see about 10 or so more waiting to bloom.