How to Grow Zinnias
Many gardeners, those gifted with both green and black thumbs, turn to zinnias to add a bit of color to their gardens because they take very little effort to grow and establish. Due to their high tolerance of adverse conditions, they require very little care after they are planted. They ease in which they can be grown is not the only reason why zinnias are renowned, they also offer of a wide range of colors and sizes that provide abundant blooms, making them the ideal go-to annual.
It isn't very difficult to grow zinnias, even from seeds. They prefer full sun and rich, well-drained soil, but, if unavoidable, they can manage to grow in soil of lesser quality. To improve the overall health and look of your zinnias, it is suggested that you feed them compost and organic matter and keep their soil moist. In order to protect from weeds and pests, cover with a thin layer of mulch.
If you want to be sure to have zinnias for the start of the season, you can plant indoors and then transplant them outdoors. This is a great way to not only ensure your flowers bloom earlier but that the frost doesn't harm your plants. To go this route, plant seeds in potted containers six to eight weeks before the last frost date. If not, after all danger of frost has passed, you can sow seeds directly into the soil, covering with about 1/4 inch of soil. Plant 6-12 inches apart and water thoroughly. The great thing about zinnias is that, once established, they can survive with little to no care. Although they prefer most soil, they can survive dry soil. Extremely dry conditions will cause the flowers to wilt. To extend the life of your zinnias, pinch off any flowers that wilt or die. This will prevent your plant from exerting any unnecessary energy.
