“A kiss of the sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth” (Kathy Davis).
The blue ribbon stories of Texas gardening are shouted out in spite of heat, heat, and more heat.
The most valiant summer flower that easily shows off its splendor is the humble zinnia. Zinnias would rather grow from seed than be transplanted from a nursery. All they need is amended well-drained soil, full sun, and moderate watering.
Zinnias won’t break the bank either! Would you rather pay $2.50 for a pack of 50 seeds or $2.50 for one nursery plant? And the seeds come in an endless variety. You can choose from your shorter bushier Persian Carpet or Scabiosa, or the delightful medium height Candy Cane mix, to your jumbo-sized show-stopping White Polar Bear, Pink Illumination, and Crimson Will Rogers. The zinnias that nurseries sell are limited to one to two varieties and neither of them is suitable for cut flowers. Give me a pack of seeds any day!
1. Direct sow seeds in May when the ground is consistently warm.
2. Zinnias require full sun, rich compost amended soil, and moderate moisture to attain perfection.
3. For a high level of summer production, cut the blooms frequently and remove spent flowers.
Zinnias are ideal for long-lasting floral arrangements. You’ll have such a profusion that you’ll be begging friends to come by and gather their own bouquets!
Have you picked up your packet of seeds yet from your local grocer, or nursery?
Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer’s (gardener’s) year. It brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.