Can you plant zinnia seeds on top of mulch?
Zinnia seeds can also be sowed directly into one to two inches of organic mulch that will provide nutrients throughout the season as the mulch breaks down to form compost."
One gardening friend doesn't even bother to prepare her soil—she simply sprinkles seeds wherever she'd like a few zinnias, waters those spots for a couple of days, and lets zinnias' easy-to-grow nature take its course.
Mulching: Mulch zinnias once they are established with a 2 inch layer of straw or bark mulch. This will help preserve soil moisture and prevent weed growth. Trimming & Pruning: Deadhead (trim) spent flowers regularly to promote more flowering and to keep the plant tidy.
Zinnias are generally very easy to start from seed. We can sow Zinnia seeds at the surface and then add just a small layer of soil so that the seeds are not directly exposed to sunlight. We can sow them, as soon as the soil is warm enough and there is no chance of frost.
Seeds can be sown over mulch as long as the mulch is not too thick. Since seeds need light and air as well as contact with soil germinate well, they won't succeed if scattered directly over thick mulch or if buried under a deep cover of mulch.
It is crucial to not bury your seeds in thick wood chip mulch before they have had a chance to germinate. Small, tiny seeds will not sprout if they are buried in a thick layer of coarse wood chips. For surface sowing seeds, gently press down the soil to remove air pockets.
Of course, if you live where the winters are very mild, such as in California, Florida and south Texas, you can sow wildflower seeds outdoors at almost any time of the year, avoiding only the hottest, driest part of summer.
Sow Seeds Outdoors
The easiest way to start zinnias is to plant them directly in their final beds outdoors. It takes air and soil of more than 70 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate well, so wait until spring to plant zinnia seeds.
Sow indoors 5-7 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting formula. Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days.
Zinnias typically take around 2 months from seed to flower, although this can change depending on weather conditions. Here are some additional tips to grow zinnias: Choose a bright and sunny spot for your zinnias. Cover zinnia seeds with just ¼ inch of soil because they need light to germinate.
How do I keep zinnias blooming all summer?
Remove the foliage and don't be afraid to cut off side shoots on the main stem you just harvested. Zinnias are a “cut and come again” flower, so when you cut the plant “hard,” it responds by sending out even more long, strong stems all season long.
The secret to getting the longest stems from your zinnias is pinching them when they are young. Here's how it's done: When plants are between 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) tall, take sharp pruners and snip the top 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) off the plant, just above a set of leaves.
I plan succession plantings commencing in late May and continue through about the first week of July. This guarantees showy blooms through late September. It is not too late to plant a few zinnia seeds for late summer color that will last until the first frost.
General Sowing
1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date. The ideal soil temperature for zinnia seed germination is 70°–80°F. When to start inside: 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date.
Plant seeds 1/4" deep and 24” apart, using 3 seeds per hole. Keep the soil evenly moist until the seeds germinate in 8 - 10 days. Once the seedlings reach 2", thin out so you have individual plants spaced 24” apart. Water regularly allowing the soil to go nearly dry between each watering.
Aged wood chips (one year older or better - should have an almost soil-like consistency) and bark mulch are generally seed free and they also have cool, moist layers just under the surface that are perfect for germinating seed.
- Create an open area in any existing mulch. ...
- Apply a sprinkling of grass clippings, straw or other organic leaf material over the seed once planted. ...
- Spread a ring of wood chips or other larger mulching materials around the base of the seedling once it reaches a height of a few inches.
Mulches also serve a physical barrier that affects seed germination, conserves soil moisture and reduces the incidence of soil-borne diseases.
Most organic mulches will let you plant flowers right into them since they will tend to stay loose. Organic mulches tend to have pine needles, dried leaves, and even lawn clippings. Make sure that any organic mulches that come from yard clippings are pesticide-free and herbicide-free.
Let us start with the simple question, will the seed grow if it is just thrown on the ground? The simple answer is, yes. Beyond just throwing the seed out into the lawn and not performing any grass maintenance there is a whole world of lawn care. While the seed is one of the most resilient out there.
Can I just throw seeds in my yard?
Luckily, there exists a method called broadcast seeding/planting. This is where you simply scatter seeds on the ground and let them grow with little to no maintenance. Ideally, doing the following beforehand almost always guarantee success: Rake the ground to loosen up the soil.
- Foxglove (Digitalis). Image: Suttons Seeds.
- Toadflax (Linaria). Image: Suttons Seeds.
- Love in a mist (Nigella). Image: Suttons Seeds.
- Poppies (Papaver). Image: Suttons Seeds.
- Sweet Rocket (Hesperis). Image: Suttons Seeds.
Zinnias will thrive in your container gardening ideas. If you're choosing this option for how to grow zinnias, make sure you choose a large container that has drainage holes in the bottom. The taller the zinnias you have in mind, the larger the container should be.
Growing from seeds indoors is one way of starting your garden. Another option is to tuck seeds directly into soil outdoors. Planting seeds this way is called direct sowing, and it is an easy process that yields great results.
Zinnias perform better in garden beds than containers and, due to their ability to grow so quickly, can be direct-seeded. To direct seed, make sure the soil temp is at least 70 degrees and plant the seeds at 1/4'” deep.
Too much or too little water is the most likely reason for seeds not germinating. With too little or no water, seeds remain dormant. With too much water, seeds become susceptible to rot or infection from soil-borne fungi (also referred to as "dampening off").
Zinnia seeds don't need to be soaked before planting. Zinnias are warm-season annual flowers native to hot areas such as Mexico and the southwestern US, so the seeds are programmed to sprout quickly when exposed to water. Once you sow the seeds and water them, that's enough to trigger germination.
To strengthen seedlings, introduce a light wind with an oscillating fan. Don't put it on full blast, but enough to create gentle shaking and movement. Movement helps the stems of leggy seedlings become more tough and strong.
Zinnias thrive in hot weather and germinate easily from seed. Fall growing conditions are perfect for zinnias because the weather is usually a little dryer. I recommend seeding zinnias by August 15th to enjoy them throughout the fall. They will die out after the first frost.
To keep your zinnias blooming, one of the most important steps in learning how to grow Zinnia is to deadhead the blooms. Deadheading Zinnias prolongs the plants blooming time, encouraging the flowers to continue to bloom. Once the blooms begin to fade, cutting back the Zinnia flower heads will promote new growth.
What is the best fertilizer for zinnias?
Use a balanced 10-10-10 or 6-6-6 fertilizer, applying about one pound per 100 square feet for a first spring planting application. You can apply another round of fertilizer in mid- or late summer, as zinnias will bloom well into the fall with fertilization.
* Water zinnias at ground level to prevent fungus. Once they are 3 to 4 inches high, water them deeply a couple of times a week, depending on weather. Zinnias aren't drought tolerant, but they like their soil a little on the dry side. The soil should not be continuously wet.
Miracle-Gro is a good option for zinnias if you want to use synthetic fertilizer.
Lack of Water. One of the more obvious reasons zinnias turn brown is due to not getting enough water. Even though zinnias do not require a lot of water, there is a point where they do need some water. If you've been experiencing drought conditions and your zinnias are starting to die, it's likely due to a lack of water ...
If your zinnias get water-stressed, they're going to try and do anything they can to keep themselves from dying, including switching flower production from doubles to singles or cupcake forms to singles.
Last year I got a late start on my summer flower garden, not planting my zinnia seeds until July. The recommended time is May or June so that plants can become established before the intense summer heat.
Zinnias don't like root disturbance, so direct sow the seeds in May-June, as soon as the nights are warm.
Zinnias are a warm-season annual and need warm soils to germinate. You can plant your seeds in late March and April. Consider planting them in stages for more continual bloom.
Plant zinnias in full sun.
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 explains.
Seeds should germinate in 5-24 days. Just cover Zinnia seeds, and aim for a final spacing of 25-30cm (10-12″) between plants. Depending on the variety, it takes about two months after sowing for the first flowers to appear.
How often do zinnia seeds need to be watered?
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.
Crowded plants not only discourage growth, they encourage pests and disease. Crowded seedlings shade each other from the sun. As they get larger, it only gets worse. Crowded root vegetables, including turnips, beets, and radishes, won't develop useable roots if they're crowded.
If only a few plants are needed, it is not necessary to plant all the seeds in a packet. Surplus seed often can be saved for a later planting date. Keeping seed dry and cool or at least at room temperature in a closed container is best.
Growing Zinnias From Seeds
Plant the seeds only about ¼-inch deep. You'll see seedlings sprout in four to seven days. Once the seedlings reach about three inches tall, thin them so that they're 6 to 18 inches apart to maximize air circulation, a key to keeping zinnias looking good all season.
So, should you remove old mulch? Expert green thumbs contend that getting rid of last year's mulch is completely unnecessary. Mulch gradually breaks down, adding beneficial nutrients and other organic matter to the soil. Removing pre-existing mulch every year only ends up to be extra work and a needless expense.
Pine Bark Mulch
Like straw, it's good for tender plants and emerging seedlings. Ground pine bark mulch is also easy to spread and quickly works to improve your soil as it breaks down. If you are worried that pine bark might rob nitrogen from your soil, don't be.
Luckily, there exists a method called broadcast seeding/planting. This is where you simply scatter seeds on the ground and let them grow with little to no maintenance. Ideally, doing the following beforehand almost always guarantee success: Rake the ground to loosen up the soil.
Don't Use Mulch Mixed with Soil
Jeff Gibson, landscape business manager for Ball Horticultural Company, adds that you should never use woody mulch as a soil amendment in containers or the ground because, "in the process of decaying, it binds up the available nitrogen that could be going to the plants you want to grow."
You can add soil on top of the mulch without any problems to your garden, but you must create an equal consistency between the soil and mulching materials.
I recommend seeding zinnias by August 15th to enjoy them throughout the fall. They will die out after the first frost. Zinnias prefer full sun and well-drained soil.