Planting Zinnia Seeds Yourself: A Step-by-Step Guide
Growing Zinnias: A Comprehensive Guide for Vibrant Summer Blooms
Zinnias, native to Mexico, are a popular choice for gardeners seeking to add a burst of color to their summer and fall gardens. These annual plants, known for their daisy-like flowers, thrive best after the frost danger has passed.
To get started with growing zinnias from seeds, you'll need a few essentials: zinnia seeds, multi-purpose, peat-free compost, small pots, a seed tray, a dibber, a watering can with a rose attachment, plant labels, and a pencil.
Begin by sowing the seeds, ensuring they are planted about 1/4 inch deep and spaced 8-12 inches apart for smaller varieties or up to 12-18 inches for larger types like California Giants. The ideal soil temperature for germination is between 70-85°F (21-29°C). Zinnia seeds typically germinate in 3-14 days.
Once the seedlings have sprouted, care for them by keeping the compost just moist. Place them in a warm spot, ensuring they receive full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile soil amended with compost. As the seedlings grow, water them regularly, but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, as zinnias are somewhat drought tolerant.
To encourage bushier growth, pinch young plants, and remove spent flowers (deadhead) to encourage more blooms. With adequate care, zinnias will bloom in about 75-90 days from sowing, producing colorful flowers that are attractive to butterflies and pollinators.
For those who prefer to start their zinnias indoors, this can yield earlier blooms. Direct sowing outdoors is simpler and typical in warmer zones.
The June subscriber edition comes with a free double-pack of seeds of cornflower 'Blue Ball' and vibrant zinnia 'Early Wonder'. The article also offers a step-by-step video sowing guide for getting the best possible results with zinnia seeds.
Zinnias are ideal for filling gaps in borders and are great for adding eye-popping color to pot displays. Water them using a small watering can with a rose, so the seeds are not dislodged. When transplanting seedlings outdoors after the frost risk has passed, hold a seedling by a leaf, use the dibber to lever it out of the compost, bringing all the roots with it. Fill one new pot with compost, gently tamp it level about 1cm below the rim to leave room for watering, and plant the seedling.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy the vibrant summer to fall blooms that zinnias offer in your garden.
Spend your home-and-garden leisure time cultivating zinnias, which are perfect for adding a splash of color to your lifestyle, both in summer and fall gardens. To create a charming home-and-garden setting, consider planting zinnias in pots or borders, as they thrive in well-drained soil with full sun and are somewhat drought tolerant.
