Zinnias are one of many best flowers to develop from seed. Besides, it’s essential to sow them on the proper time for the absolute best outcomes. In case you get the timing flawed, you may see spotty germination or far fewer flowers later within the season.
The suitable sowing window relies upon completely on the place you reside. Zinnias want soil temperatures round 70°F to germinate properly, which occurs at totally different instances throughout the nation, relying in your zone.
Typically, it’s greatest to sow zinnia seeds outside round one to 2 weeks after your final frost date. Because the timing to sow zinnias differs by zone, let’s check out the specifics for every area.
California Giants Mix Zinnia
California Giants Mix Zinnia Seeds
Thumbelina Zinnia
Senora Zinnia
Zones 11-12
Hotter zone gardeners are fortunate in terms of zinnias. You’ll be able to sow nearly any time from late winter by means of early spring in these frost-free zones. The soil warms up early and stays heat, so germination isn’t a problem.
That mentioned, fall and winter in zones 11 and 12 can truly be your higher planting season. Sowing in late winter provides you spring blooms earlier than intense summer season warmth units in (not that zinnias thoughts the warmth a lot). In these zones, you can even deal with zinnias as cool-season annuals, rising them from fall by means of spring.
In case you do sow zinnias in these zones in late winter, goal for late January planting. This provides vegetation time to determine and bloom closely. You’ll be able to succession plant each few weeks by means of early spring for steady colour.
Zone 10
To sow zinnias in zone 10, late January by means of early February works properly. Wait till after your final anticipated frost date (in case your space will get any frost in any respect), which in zone 10 usually falls someday in January, relying in your particular location.
The soil ought to be warming up however not but sizzling. Zinnias germinate greatest when days are nice somewhat than scorching. In case you’re in southern Florida or coastal Southern California the place frost is uncommon to nonexistent, you’ve got extra flexibility with timing and might sow earlier.
Test soil temperature earlier than sowing somewhat than simply going by calendar dates. Stick a soil thermometer a pair inches deep within the morning. If it reads 65°F or increased, you’re good to go. Beneath that, give it one other week or two.
Zones 8-9
Late February by means of early March is your window to sow zinnias when you reside in these zones. Final frost dates in these zones fluctuate fairly a bit relying on whether or not you’re within the hotter or cooler components of the zone, however you’re typically taking a look at March for frost-free circumstances.
Sowing a few weeks earlier than your final frost date shouldn’t be the top of the world for zinnias for the reason that seeds received’t germinate till soil warms anyway. By the point they sprout, frost threat has often handed in these areas. This technique will get seeds within the floor early with out the precise seedlings being weak to chilly.
In case you’re in a coastal space with minimal freezes, you’ll be able to push the sowing date again to February. Inland areas with extra pronounced winter chilly ought to wait nearer to March. When unsure, wait till soil feels noticeably heat whenever you stick your hand in it somewhat than chilly and clammy.
Zones 5-7
For cooler zones, April is your month. The precise timing inside April relies on which finish of this zone vary you’re in and whether or not you’re in a heat microclimate or a chilly pocket, however mid to late April works for many gardeners to sow zinnias in these zones.
Wait till soil temperature hits at the least 60°F, ideally nearer to 70°F. Chilly, moist spring soil in these zones can rot zinnia seedlings earlier than they’ve an opportunity to determine. If April stays unusually chilly and moist, push your sowing date again somewhat than playing on circumstances bettering after you’ve planted.
For zone 5, early Could could be safer than late April until you’re assured spring has really arrived. A heat spell in April adopted by one other chilly snap is widespread in zone 5, and it’s irritating to sow seeds solely to observe them sit there for 3 weeks ready for heat.
Zones 3-4
Lastly, zones 3 and 4 ought to look ahead to Could or early June, relying on when your soil truly warms up. Final frost dates in these zones can stretch, and soil takes time to heat even after air temperatures rise.
If you need earlier blooms, begin seeds indoors in late April or early Could and transplant after the final frost. Direct sowing is less complicated, however it does push bloom time later into summer season. For these zones, that’s usually high-quality since zinnias will bloom straight by means of till laborious frost in fall anyway.