Free Flower Seeds 2024: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Zinnias from Seed
Introduction
Get ready for a blooming good time! From January to June, we’re giving away free packs of flower seeds to our subscribers. Join us as we embark on a year of gardening adventures, starting with our very own flower grower, Cel Robertson.
Meet Cel Robertson, Our Flower Guru
Cel is a plant lover and the founder of Forever Green Flower Company. She’s passionate about growing beautiful flowers from seed, and she’s sharing her expertise with us.
Growing Together
Cel will be growing six varieties of flowers this year: zinnias, echium, xerochrysum, sunflowers, cosmos, and foxgloves. She’ll be sharing her progress and tips each month, so we can all learn and grow together.
Where to Grow Your Flowers
Cel doesn’t have a garden at home right now, so she’ll be using a bed on her flower field and planting containers at home. You can grow your flowers in a garden, containers, or even a polytunnel.
How to Sow Zinnia Seeds
Zinnias are half-hardy annuals, meaning they don’t like frost or cold weather. So, it’s important to wait until it gets warmer before sowing your seeds.
- Sow zinnias about four weeks before your last frost date.
- Use individual cell trays or seed trays.
- Place the seeds in the trays and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
- Keep the soil moist and warm.
- Once the seedlings emerge, grow them in a greenhouse or polytunnel until they’re strong enough to transplant outdoors.
Caring for Your Zinnia Plants
Once your zinnias are transplanted outdoors, they’ll need regular watering, fertilizing, and sunlight.
- Water your zinnias deeply and regularly, especially during hot weather.
- Fertilize your zinnias every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Zinnias need at least six hours of sunlight per day.
Harvesting Your Zinnias
Zinnias bloom from summer to fall. You can harvest them when the flowers are fully open.
- Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle.
- Remove any leaves that will be below the water line in the vase.
- Place the zinnias in a vase with fresh water.
Get Inspired
Looking for more gardening inspiration? Check out these helpful resources:
- Tips on how to tidy and clean your greenhouse
- Prepare your greenhouse for spring sowing and growing
- Check out our guide to the best heated propagators
- Be inspired to build your own polytunnel
- Read up on sowing seeds early
- Follow David Hurrion’s four steps to seed sowing success
Conclusion
Growing zinnias from seed is a fun and rewarding experience. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy beautiful blooms all season long. So, gather your supplies, sow your seeds, and let’s get growing!
