What month should I 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 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.Zinnias are suitable for cutting patches, borders and for growing in containers. If you don’t have free-draining soil in full sun or you have problems with slugs and snails eating your seedlings, your zinnias are likely to do better in pots rather than in the ground.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.Zinnias are fast-growing, long-blooming annuals that are practically made for container gardens. Growing zinnias in pots is one of the simplest ways to create a colorful summer display on a small balcony, lining a patio, or adding a pop of color to your front steps.
Do zinnias come back every year?
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. 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.On July 5, I planted zinnia seeds in a container on my balcony. Almost 6 weeks to the day, here is the first bloom. So tiny, so beautiful! Usually, it’s about 2 months from seed to first bloom, but the weather has been cooperating with some sunny days and just the right amount of rain.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.Step Five: Sow your zinnia seeds Don’t even think about planting zinnia seeds until your final threat of frost has passed. If you’re nearing fall but still want to enjoy some zinnia blooms this year, you can plant one round of seeds if you still have at least 60 (preferably 75) days before your first frost.Zinnias are one of the longest-lasting flowers in the summer and fall garden. Although they don’t get going until it heats up, they will produce blooms until the first fall frost. Deadheading keeps them flowering for as long as possible. But as the days shorten and the weather cools, zinnias will begin to fade.
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. 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.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.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.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.
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 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 have few insect pests, but aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies may damage plants, especially during hot, dry weather. Aphids and spider mites can be hosed off the plants with a strong stream of water.Powdery mildew, Erysiphe cichoracearum. This is the most common disease of zinnia. White powdery spots or patches develop on leaves and occasionally on stems. Symptoms often first appear on the upper surfaces of the leaves and are usually most pronounced during hot, humid weather.
What is the best month to plant zinnia seeds?
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 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.I plant zinnias late April, late May, late June, and late July. This makes for a continuous supply of good quality blooms all season.Once the zinnia flowers have dried for weeks, you have two choices. This is the Lazy Girl Way! I don’t remove the seeds from the dried flower heads and just store them until next year’s planting time.Zinnias are a plant that is “cut and come again. The more you cut them, the more they produce because it’s the plant’s job to go to seed and create another plant.Plant after the last frost in spring when soil has warmed. Direct sowing is simple and effective. Do zinnias come back every year? No, zinnias are not perennials and must be replanted each year.
Can I sow zinnia in September?
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. Most varieties are prolific bloomers, and flower continuously from summer to frost. This long bloom season makes them excellent for landscape color in mixed plantings or for cutting gardens. Zinnias are one of the best annuals for attracting pollinators, especially butterflies.Zinnias are tough little flowers, and their seeds often survive a light frost if they’ve had time to mature. The trick is knowing which blooms are worth saving and which ones to skip.Zinnias usually take about 2 months from seed to flower. This will vary depending on your weather/ climate though.Zinnias like the heat, and it’s important that they are grown in full sun. In addition to choosing a sunny spot, I always grow them in fabric for the added heat.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.