Christmas at the Polk
December 11, 2021
Join us for holiday themed tours of the Polk Home to learn about historic Christmas traditions! Enjoy Victorian…
Growing Zinnia’s
Zinnia is a hardy annual that thrives in USDA Zones 3-10. These zinnias reach 18-24 inches tall and produce compact, ball-shaped flowers that bloom all summer. Perfect for containers, borders, and cutting gardens, they attract pollinators. Germination time of 7-21 days at 75°F, these seeds grow best in full sun and well-drained soil, adding vibrant, lasting color to outdoor spaces.
Perfect for the front yard flower border. Zinnias are hardy plants that will do well in all types of weather. Flowers will bloom in 6 – 8 weeks after sowing the flower seeds.
Sunlight: Choose a spot with full sun for bright, healthy blooms. They love sunshine, well-draining soil, and warmer climates, although you can certainly grow healthy plants in cooler climates too.
Soil requirements: Zinnias need well-draining soil with some organic matter. They don’t tolerate wet roots very well.
Planting: Many flower seeds can be planted as soon as the frost is fully out of the ground in the spring and the soil can be readily worked, but some seeds may require warmer soil to ensure that they will germinate and sprout. T
The general rule for planting seeds is that they should be planted three times as deep as the diameter of the seed. With very small seeds, this can be a matter of simply sprinkling a light dusting of soil over the seeds. But there’s no need to get out the tape measure; seeds aren’t all that picky and will often germinate regardless of soil depth.
Water: Zinnia plants prefer consistent soil moisture, so water deeply several times each week. Zinnias don’t tolerate freezing conditions, so only plant them when the soil has reached at least 60 degrees F at night.
Color: Zinnias come in pure white or vibrant colors like bright pink, purple, orange, yellow, and lime green. Choose a variety that suits your style. There are also bicolor and variegated blooms for beautiful flowers that catch the eye.
Size: Small varieties reach less than a foot and tall plants reach 4 feet tall.
Bloom time: Plant different varieties for color from early summer through fall.
Deadhead: Pinch off the dried seed head and gently remove the pedals to collect seeds for planting next year.
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