My goal with writing this blog is to convince you to plant some Zinnias…this weekend!

You might be asking “Why a Zinnia”.  To which I would reply:

• one of the easiest annuals to grow:  can start from seeds right now
• thought of as a ‘cheerful' flower, supplying you with a bounty of color from late spring until the first fall frost.  Flower colors range from shades of orange, pink, purple, red, white and yellow w/pale to mid-green leaves.
• attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds to your garden
• very low maintenance
• non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses:  deer resistant.
• grow quickly and reliably: a bonus for new gardeners!

 How to plant:

• My preference is to start zinnias from seeds.  I like to soak the seeds prior to planting, helping to speed up the germination time.  I soak my seeds overnight, typically for about 12 hours.  I do this by placing the seeds in a bowl and pour lukewarm water over the seeds. The next day when I'm ready to plant, I simply drain the water and move seeds to my prepared soil.
• Because you'll be planting this weekend, I would suggest starting your seeds in peat pots available at your local hardware store.  Our last frost date is March 1^st, meaning you can plant directly into your outside garden bed.  However, because frost dates can vary a week or two if you are going to plant directly outside, postpone your planting for a week or two. 
• If you are planting in a peat pot, transplant the entire pot into your garden bed once the seedlings reach a height of 1 inch.  Ok to thin to 1 plant per peat pot to allow for proper spacing.
• Zinnias prefer least 6 hours of sun each day, well-draining soil.  Water at the base of the plant to keep the foliage and petals dry. Water deeply a few times a week, preferably in the morning, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. 

Maintenance:

• Zinnias will benefit from regular deadheading and flower removal.  Trim off the flowers that are brown or wilting, this encourages more flowers to form by shifting the focus of the plants' energy into flower production vs seed production.

Enjoy!