Sowing Zinnias: follow these steps

Zinnias are annual plants that are an absolute must in your garden. There are hundreds of cultivars, with brightly colored flowers in all shades to pastel colors. In addition, they bloom for a very long time, fill gaps in your border and also do well in pots and your cutting garden. And sowing zinnias is not difficult at all.

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You can sow zinnias in two ways:

By sowing them indoors.

Are you also so fond of these flowers? Then definitely combine both sowing methods, for a staggered flowering - although most zinnias will continue to flower until the first frost.

Indoors you can start sowing zinnias earlier than in the open ground. From February to April you sow zinnias indoors, in May and June you sow zinnias outdoors.

You can sow zinnias from February in a greenhouse, cold frame or in a propagator on your windowsill. This can be done until April. Keep in mind that you need enough space for sowing and eventually prickling out the plants, until you can plant them out in the open ground. Do you have limited space? Then start sowing a little later, or spread the sowing over the months.

Small pots or seed trays

Fill the pots or seed trays with the seed soil. Tap the bottom against your work surface and press the soil lightly. Give the pots or seed trays a little water.

Place the seeds in the potting soil and press them gently. Depending on the size of the pots, you can sow a few seeds per pot or seed cell.

Cover the seeds with a thin layer of seed compost, or use vermiculite or crushed sand. The British like to use horticultural grit , which is also a good option, but difficult to obtain.

Water the pot or seed tray gently. For example, by watering with a very light shower head, or by placing the pot in a container of water. Then let it drain before placing them in their place. Keep the soil slightly moist. Don't forget to label your pot or seed tray.

Once the mini plants show their first leaves (after the cotyledons), it is time to prick out the seedlings and give them their own pots.

After Ice Saints , your plants can go outside. Let them harden off around that time, when no more frost is predicted. Then you put the plants outside a little longer during the day, but leave them inside in the evening and at night. That way they become stronger.

It's time to plant your plants in the ground! Choose a sunny and reasonably sheltered spot. Zinnias prefer soil that is well-drained. If necessary, you can work some (well-rotted) manure into the soil before planting. Handy, but not necessary: ​​place a horizontal rack or net to support the plants and let them grow nice and straight.

In May and June you can sow zinnias in the open ground . Handy if you don't have much space indoors, or if you want to spread the flowering of your plants.

Choose a sunny spot, but largely out of the wind. The soil should preferably be fine and well-drained.

Remove unwanted weeds and rake the soil thoroughly, so that the soil has a fine structure. If necessary, you can use a wire to make a straight line. Make a shallow groove.

Sow the seeds in the furrow, 10 to 15 cm apart. Close the furrow with your hands so that the seeds are lightly covered.

Provide sufficient water, preferably with a watering can with a light shower head. This way the seeds cannot be washed away. If necessary, you can cover the seeds with a cloche. Label the place where you have sown the seeds.

Once the plants have their first real leaves (after the cotyledons), you can thin them out. Make sure they are about 30 cm apart.

Keep watering the plants regularly and make sure the soil remains free of weeds. Also when sowing in the open ground it is useful to stretch a rack or net, so that your plants grow nice and straight.

Tip!

You can harvest zinnia seeds, although they will not be true to type. Choose a few flowers and leave them alone after they have finished blooming. The seeds are found at the base of the petals.