Thanks!!!! Learn about more. Zinnias have a remarkable tolerance to diseases, rarely succumbing to powdery mildew and leaf spot, and they’re highly attractive to bees and butterflies. I have had good fortune at seasons end of covering patio pots with thick layer of pine tags to keep from freezing in central Virginia. Aside from fresh color, many new zinnia series offer height and width options, too. Although zinnias love heat and tolerate drought, they bloom best when watered during dry spells. Zinnias are classified as tender annuals, which means you should wait until all danger of frost has passed before sowing zinnia seeds. I planted big beautiful grown Zinnias at my condo community entrance this year; and a critter got into one of them! Thinning simply means to remove some of the plants so that the ones you leave behind will grow bigger and better as they have more room to grow, and can get more nutrients from the soil as there are fewer flowers to compete with. How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Zinnia Flowers. How do I get seeds from this years plants? My first time with zinnias from seed this year...I have plants over 5' tall. But by the third year, the critters ate the sprouts as they came up. Zinnias fit the bill on all three counts. Submitted by The Editors on July 9, 2019 - 2:12pm. I never divide or thin the sprouts when they start coming up and they do just fine. Select location with full … They do need and like sunshine! Zinnias do not require a lot of trimming early on. Garden Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) Garden Zinnias are disease susceptible. Learn more about. A zinnia is a very beautiful flower that can be provoked into flourishing by deadheading. It is not too late to plant a few zinnia seeds for late summer color that will last until the first frost. Cut the pods from the flower stalk and break open the pods to harvest the seeds. Flowers can be "singles," with petals lined up in a row around an open center, or semi-doubles, or doubles. Zinnias resent cold weather and prefer to be planted after things have warmed up a bit. It’s said that zinnias symbolize thoughts of absent friends. This reduces the chance of powdery mildew developing. "The flowers bloom in a range of shapes, including quilled, dahlia-type, single, semi-double, and double flowers. makes a big statement in the English Oak Meadow. They would do better in a container on a porch or balcony. Zinnia plants can take a few weeks to become established, but once it warms up, expect them to bloom from summer right through fall. Or, a tablespoon or two of powdered milk wrapped in a facial tissue and placed in the seed storage container will also work to absorb excess moisture from the air. Wonderful language gets used when describing zinnia flowers: stars and daisies, dahlias and spiders, buttons and domes, and quill-leaf cactus. From seed, they will grow very quickly in the right conditions. Submitted by Janet Stooke on October 13, 2020 - 2:29pm. ... Zinnias are annuals, so they'll grow for one season and produce seeds, but the original plant will not come back in subsequent years. Watering: Zinnias need moist soil to grow their best.This is especially true of young plants. There’s an easy solution, of course: buy enough seeds to start both indoors and out. It is hard to avoid a few bent stems when bunching and transporting zinnias. They bloom profusely, tolerate drought conditions, and re-seed themselves easily. Remember when harvesting zinnia seeds, it’s the petals of the flower that are the seeds, not the deeper part of the flower head. Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow, as they grow quickly and bloom heavily. The bigger-flowered varieties act like landing pads for nectar-seeking butterflies. © 2021 Chicago Botanic Garden. Seal the container and store it in the back of your refrigerator. Ugh!!!! No perennial can claim that speed! Start zinnia seeds indoors or in the garden. Zinnia So the answer is it all depends on location. This rotation has gone on successfully for the past FOUR years!! Most zinnias thrive in full sun, particularly in cool climates, but in hot climates they … Select location with full … If you wish to start growing zinnia plants from seeds indoors, plant the seeds in peat pots, poo pots (pots made from cow dung) or other biodegradable containers that can be planted directly into the garden later. Florida Plant ID: Zinnia; UF/IFAS Publications. I live in Arizona where those temperatures in summer are very hot. But wet summers (we've had one so far) can take their toll. Submitted by Joanne on June 2, 2020 - 7:34pm. Zinnias are low maintenance. I just wonder if Zinnia can be bloom in December? In this video we will compare Zinnias that have been pinched to zinnias that were allowed to grow normally. Do Zinnia can bloom in December? We see comments suggesting that zinnias are “somewhat bitter” but it is not clear if that means the plant or the petals, because the petals are all that is recommended. Zinnias are annuals, so they’ll grow for one season and produce seeds, but the original plant will not come back in subsequent years. This was my first year growing Zinnias, what an amazing flower. Must be the 20-year old "seasoned" manure my neighbor shared from her horses! UF/IFAS Sites. Select a sunny location and plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in soil that drains well. Do zinnias attract bees? That being the case, can I grow zinnias in a more shaded area? This year, the seedlings were not spouting as I suspect I waited way too long to retrieve their seeds. Store in a cool, dry place as you do other seeds. They thrived. Zinnias are the best summer cottage flowers. Basic soil preparation for annuals such as zinnias includes working in a generous amount of organic matter along with 2 or 3 cups of a balanced granular fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) per 100 square feet before planting. That said, I have eaten some of the leaves but am hesitant to go "all in" on eating them because no one has given "approval" of that. I am in zone 3. They are the parents of a number of beautiful varieties. The numerous varieties of the approximately 20 species of Zinnia include dwarf hybrids and double-flowering types, along with a wide range of color, bloom size and plant height. Customer Service: (847) 835-6801Main: (847) 835-5440Member: (847) 835-8215E-newsletter UpdatesGarden BlogPress RoomCreditsPrivacy Policy. All information I've read talks about starting a month before the last frost. Zinnias are adaptable to most soil conditions, but the ideal soil will be rich in organic matter and well-drained. In Phoenix we could see them bloom in fall..it seems only one month of actual winter most years..January. Flowers come in vivid colours from red, orange and deep pink to green, with a lovely long flowering season from summer to the first frosts. BONUS: You’ll also receive our Almanac Companion newsletter! Basic soil preparation for annuals such as zinnias includes working in a generous amount of organic matter along with 2 or 3 cups of a balanced granular fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) per 100 square feet before planting. Space plants 4 to 24 inches apart, depending on variety. ". Zinnia flowers can create a massive burst of color in your garden, so consider trying them this year! If you wish to start growing zinnia plants from seeds indoors, plant the seeds in peat pots, poo pots (pots made from cow dung) or other biodegradable containers that can be planted directly into the garden later. Here are six reasons to try them in your garden: Submitted by Sonali Mathur on January 27, 2021 - 6:52am, Submitted by Kat Snyder on January 22, 2021 - 12:43pm. It’s very important to store correctly: Put the seeds in a small paper envelope or wrap in paper. One last reason to plant zinnias year after year: they're butterfly magnets. Bloom Time From Seed. It's ok though, I was tired of the same (essentially) kind/colors coming up. Hi! Submitted by Aicel on August 30, 2019 - 6:36pm. Water only when needed, and then only at the base of the plants. Typically, zinnias will begin to bloom in the late spring when you plant them in the early spring or even in the very late winter. Zinnias want temperatures about 60 to 84 degrees for best results. I'm planning to sow this last quarter of the year. Follow the guidance on your packet for spacing seeds and/or remove crowded seedlngs later. Submitted by Brenda on October 24, 2020 - 10:35am. Sure, try it. Any additional amendments would be determined by a soil test. For the past 5 years I have saved the end of the seasons zinnia seeds to be re-planted the next year. Many gardeners in warmer parts of the world are able to successfully direct seed their zinnias straight into the field, but here in cool Washington we start our plants in 72-cell trays in … Should I try and transplant them or just thin them out? One of the best for cut flowers, 'Benary's Giant' (1,000 of them!) The Zaharas mentioned in the sidebard are self-cleaning—a real time saver when it comes to a large bed. And that can lead to powdery mildew and leaf spot. Floral options include both cactus and quill-type blooms with long, narrow petals, and pompom-type blooms that look like little spheres. Submitted by The Editors on February 22, 2019 - 3:37pm. Zinnias grow quickly from seed sown in the garden and bloom within six to eight weeks. Many varieties of zinnias will last from seven to 12 days in a vase. Zinnias will grow in a minimum daytime temperature of about 60°F (16°C), though a range of 74–84°F (23–28°C) is preferred. Growing zinnia plants can be inexpensive, particularly when growing them from seed. Where do you store plant in winter? Submitted by Aicel on August 30, 2019 - 6:36pm. You’ll see zinnia seedlings in only 4 to 7 days for most varieties, though it will be anywhere from several weeks to a couple months before blooms appear (depending on planting site and climate). If you have purchased zinnias from a local nursery and … They don't require much in the way of fertilizing (just an occasional well-balanced mix), and they don't need mulching. Once they have been put into the ground, they will not stop producing blooms until the first frost hits, effectively killing off the plant because it is not equipped to handle the cold very well. I would like to have them similar to the flowers bought at a nursery. (Many common varieties are planted 6 inches apart within the row and 2 feet in between rows.) Can zinnia seeds to started indoors in late winter so that they are ready to bloom when planted in the garden in late May? [7] If you sow your seeds spaced out weekly you can extend the flowering period. Staking: These flowers have sturdy stems, so do not need staking. Submitted by The Editors on September 14, 2020 - 4:02pm. The small, narrow-leaf zinnias work well in hanging baskets and make for nice dried flowers, too. Submitted by Debbie Lawson on November 27, 2020 - 2:55pm. All work marvelously in floral arrangements. Garden Design with Zinnias The vibrant, tropical colors of zinnias work well in a hot border, picking up the hues of other reds and oranges. Now that the season is over what do I do with the dead flowers since I want to plant fresh seeds in same area next spring? I think I will harvest the seeds from these giants and try them in the mulch next Spring. The leaves of these type of plants are bristly oval. 'Candy Cane'. It's easy to save zinnia seeds. Zahara Yellow is short but sweet—we paired it with petite sunflowers in the entry beds at the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Zinnias' pointy seeds, shaped like little arrowheads, require only basic garden prep to sprout: sow them in well-drained soil, where there's full sun and lots of summer heat, and you'll have tiny seedlings in days, with flowers powering up in just a few weeks. Submitted by Geri Reski on May 16, 2020 - 8:49am. Submitted by Harris Davis on August 8, 2019 - 3:06pm. Do both #1 and #2 and live with the fact that zinnia leaves (but not flowers) are affected by wet weather—as one horticulturist put it, "Even when zinnias are covered in powdery mildew, they're covered in flowers. Water deeply a few times a week so the soil stays moist 6 to 8 inches deep. However, when they reach three inches (about 8 centimeters), their leaves may be growing to the point they're touching and overlapping. In between each planting, I stuck plastic forks into the ground--tine sides up--to discourage rabbits, birds, and gophers. When seedlings reach three inches tall, thin them so that they’re 6 to 18 inches apart to maximize air circulation. To encourage quick growth and best performance, amend soil with compost before planting. Wet leaves can promote mildew development, and splashing water can transfer fungus from the ground onto zinnia leaves in an instant. With variety names like that, you know you're in for color. The following tips may be helpful for next year. 'Pop Art'. Pollinators love zinnias. Zones: Annual Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Spring to frost Color: Golden yellow (shown), deep red, orange, carmine rose, coral, lime, wine, purple, bright pink, white, salmon rose, and scarlet. Since they're fast-growing, they shade out weeds. Although Zinnia Elegans plants can be grown in most USDA hardiness zones during the summer, you may struggle with them if you live in an area with cold and wet summers, as powdery mildew can form on the leaves. Submitted by The Editors on September 8, 2020 - 3:14pm. All rights reserved. Zinnias' many different colors and floral types add interest to cutting gardens. Zinnias have style, in addition to long, strong stems, so they are naturally destined for the vase. However, I just look at a bent stem as an opportunity to create an additional arrangement! In theory, you could grow zinnias indoors, but they will need to be in a spot that gets full sun all day. Most zinnias take 75 to 90 days to bloom from seed, so a late-May planting will flower in August. If you sow your seeds spaced out weekly you can extend the flowering period. Also keep in mind that nurseries produce seedlings under highly controlled conditions/environments; it’s not easy to get the same effects or outcome at home. Tip: To keep the seed dry, you could add one of those little packets of Silica Gel Desiccants which absorb moisture. What critter do you suppose did this? This is especially true for zinnias planted in containers in soilless potting mix. Zinnias do not form significantly large root “balls,” but each plant does need a bit of space. Garden Zinnia plants can range from 6 to 60 inches in height. Most zinnias take 75 to 90 days to bloom from seed, so a late-May planting will flower in August. I absolutely love the variety of colors and all the butterflies that visited. There’s really a zinnia for every garden! Submitted by The Editors on June 3, 2020 - 3:28pm. Once the Zinnia seedlings are about 3 inches tall, it would help their growth to thin them to 6 inches apart. But zinnias are easy to direct sow and bloom fairly quickly from seed so direct sowing may be a better option for some gardeners. Don't overwater because zinnias can also succumb to rot diseases especially on wet, clay soils. Submitted by Donna Erno on June 19, 2019 - 8:45pm. Zinnias do not require a lot of trimming early on. I just wonder if Zinnia can be bloom in December? Submitted by Charles Wilkins on September 13, 2020 - 10:04am. New buds form while flowers bloom, so deadheading keeps the plants blooming. They work great in a, Get a full-size flower on a compact plant with cultivars of the. If soil is amended with compost, the flowers will grow more quickly. Save the seeds in a sealed bag or container and place in a dry, cool place until the following year. Growing Zinnias. Since zinnias come in a variety of colors, they can work well in almost any flower arrangement. Zinnias are annuals, meaning that they go from seed to flower to seed quickly. Deadheading helps to produce more flowers. Zinnias are sensitive to frost, so do not seed until the last frost has passed. Can I grow zinnias as a houseplant? I bought several packs of cut and come zinnias in the Spring of 2019 but wasn't able to plant them that year as we were under construction for a new pool. I have Zinnias in my yard and would like save seeds for next year. The most popular zinnia species is Zinnia elegans, which has been bred to produce a great number of unique varieties. Try tall zinnias with red or hot pink flowers to get the biggest draw. Submitted by Jacob on June 22, 2020 - 8:49am, Can you keep zinnias indoors their entire lives? Any suggestions and thoughts? You can certainly try it but bear in mind that (as noted above) these plants are not always happy to be transplanted. I started zinnia seed in a rotisserie chicken container (like a little greenhouse), then moved the “mat” of dirt to my flower bed when the plants were 2-3” tall. FWIW, this is a pretty comprehensive “edibles” list and zinnia is recommended for replacement by another edible, not harvested itself : https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/BUL/BUL921.pdf That’s all we have on this idea. Place the envelopes in a glass jar or air tight plastic container. In addition to zinnias’ spectacular garden show where ever you need a burst of color, zinnias are an incredible cut flower. Most zinnias thrive in full sun, particularly in cool climates, but in hot climates they … Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow, as they grow quickly and bloom heavily. Karen Zaworski is a garden writer and photographer who lives and gardens in Oak Park, Illinois. And more. They have bright, solitary, daisy-like flowerheads on a single, erect stem, which makes them great for use as a cutting flower or as food for butterflies. Maintain moderate soil moisture and fertilize lightly to maximize growth and blooms. Zones: Annual Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Spring to frost Color: Golden yellow (shown), deep red, orange, carmine rose, coral, lime, wine, purple, bright pink, white, salmon rose, and scarlet. I try to water them in the cool of the day--usually at night--with a soft spray of water, but sometimes I water them at ground level because they don't like to get their leaves wet. At this point, use garden shears to trim any leaves and thin the plants so they're about six to 18 inches (about 15 to 46 centimeters) apart. Is it better to plant just one in a pot so the rootball gets huge or is it okay to plant several in one pot? Zinnias, which thrive when sown from seed directly in the garden, bloom from early summer until frost. Because zinnias are native to the grasslands of the southwestern states, Mexico, and South America, they know how to handle dry conditions. The zinnias popped up quickly with blooms in a wide range of colors all summer long. If you want to maximize blooms and minimize the wait for blooms, work organic compost into the garden bed before planting. After zinnias flower, cut off the old flowers (a process called “deadheading”) to encourage more flowers to form. I was so disappointed as these flowers are so easy and beautiful. They grow 12-18 inches tall and bloom early (as soon as warm weather appears), remaining until frost – or until gardeners dispose of them. Seeds of zinnia flowers should usually be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. You could also try to transplant some that you are thinning out. (Same goes for hummingbirds.) Zinnias come in a preposterous palette of every bright and pastel (except the blues), plus bi-colors, tri-colors, and crazy-quilt mixes designed for cutting, to attract pollinators, etc. Submitted by Pat on April 11, 2019 - 8:58pm, Zinnias my be an annual but mine have come back yr after yr, the flower heads can dry an drop which will germinate for the next yr, Submitted by Trude on May 22, 2019 - 7:01am. (And set some aside in a labeled envelope for our Seed Swap next February!). Zinnias are one of the easiest and colorful annual flowers for your summer garden!View Burpee's selection of Zinnias: www.burpee.com/zinnias Submitted by Hollie Crum on May 18, 2020 - 7:15pm. Let the seed pods dry until they are brown and crunchy. Submitted by The Editors on October 14, 2020 - 4:11pm. They are taller than me and I am 5'3", and they're still full of blooms and it's the end of October. For more information on zinnias, contact your county Extension office. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. Start s… Planting the zinnia and making sure that it gets enough sun, food, and water are all important to keeping the flower blooming, but deadheading is what will keep the zinnia blooming all season. If there's an easier flower to grow, we'd like to know about it. We can not find much about eating the entire (above ground) plant. Submitted by Billye Anderson on July 29, 2019 - 4:17pm. Like Zaharas, the Profusion Series (hybrids between Z. elegans and Z. angustifolia) are resistant to the scourge of zinnias: powdery mildew. Good air circulation will help to prevent foliar diseases such as. Bounced back two years in a row. This year, I will be awaiting something new! If warm enough. Zinnias generally take 60 to 70 days from seed to flower (though it depends on conditions and variety). While zinnias are some of the hardiest flowers in your summer garden, they need a gentle touch when used as cut flowers due to their hollow stem. I was successful two years in a row with sowing Zinnia seeds directly into the ground. There are three main kinds of zinnia flowers: single, semidouble, or double. What say you? The distinction between these forms comes from the number of rows of petals and whether or not the center of the flower is visible: In addition to these forms, zinnia flowers come in a number of shapes, including “beehive,” “button,” and “cactus.” The plants themselves also come in different heights: taller varieties are best for the background of a garden bed, while shorter varieties work well along a border. This year, I have had to plant a "brand new" generation of zinnias. Zinnia spp. Plant zinnias in an annual or mixed border garden. I live in an area where the summers can get to 117°. Before you begin, it's important to know whether your zinnias are open-pollinated plants or hybrids. 'Persian Carpet'. Zinnias resent cold weather and prefer to be planted after things have warmed up a bit. Received a packet of Zinnia seed, Pompom, as a gift and planted them in a large tub about a week ago, they are sprouting already, in full sun and we have had some rain. When they do so the plants sprout new stems, grow stockier, and have more flowers than they would otherwise. Smaller zinnias are suitable for edging, windowboxes, or other containers. Hi! For longer flowering, remove the old blooms. Shorter varieties may be tried in a warm sunroom during the summer. Zinnias require full sun and hot temperatures to grow well and may not perform well in many homes. Seeds from hybrid plants typically do not come true to the parent plant, so if you love a specific attribute of the zinnia, such as its double flowers or special colorings, you might be disappointed by the offspring of hybrid zinnias. Custom programming and server maintenance by, https://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/. And do you wafter? Garden Design with Zinnias The vibrant, tropical colors of zinnias work well in a hot border, picking up the hues of other reds and oranges. For a long time, I was saving the wrong part. Zinnias are mostly annual plants, popular because of the colourful, daisy-like flowers.Native to Mexico, there are 18 species and hundreds of cultivated forms, which are grown as annual bedding plants. Otherwise, they will likely become spindly and not bloom well. To encourage quick growth and best performance, amend soil with compost before planting. Submitted by The Editors on August 9, 2019 - 9:31am. Submitted by Stephen on September 4, 2020 - 4:55pm. Zinnias want temperatures about 60 to 84 degrees for best results. Choosing a location that gets full sun is essential. I'm planning to sow this last quarter of the year. Camouflage tall, more mildew-prone varieties with other plants in the foreground. Like many summer-blooming flowers, zinnias are annuals, meaning they germinate, bloom, set seed, and die in a single year. In fact, they're one of the best flowers that smart gardeners can put to work in their gardens. It’s impossible to know for certain (from here) what critter is zapping your zinnias, but the U of Minn coop extension has identified these critters (click to see the list, with pics of plant damage): https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/annualperennial/zin... Other sources recommend rotating these plantings, too, for best results (yes, rotating flowers, not just veggies). Submitted by Geri Reski on May 16, 2020 - 8:49am. In summer, gardening requires plants with three key qualities: low maintenance (it's hot out there), heat and drought tolerance (ditto), and brilliant color—the brighter the better. They are well known for the lavish variety of large flowers that they produce. Zahara™ Coral Rose zinnia (Zinnia Marylandica) is an outstanding performer with low water needs for your summer garden. Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant Golden Yellow'. The following tips may be helpful for next year. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/annualperennial/zin... It’s recommended that you grow zinnia from seed right in the garden bed, as they do not like to be transplanted and do not often thrive. Zinnias are annuals and will die with the first hard frost of fall. Cut zinnia stems at an angle just above a bud joint. I have a very wide 20 in pot and want to know if I should put several in it or just put one and let it get huge. At … Planting seeds at two-week intervals also lets you enjoy continuous blooms. Hi Joanne, My zinnias were several ft. tall last year. Grow them in semi-shade, perhaps, if possible, shade during the hottest part of the day. Any additional amendments would be determined by a soil test. One of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. To save zinnia seeds, wait until the flower is completely shriveled and dry. Do both #1 and #2 and live with the fact that zinnia leaves (but not flowers) are affected by wet weather—as one horticulturist put it, "Even when zinnias are covered in powdery mildew, they're covered in flowers." Seeds of zinnia flowers should usually be sown directly into the sunny flower bed, as developing roots do not like to be disturbed. Zinnias are typically long-lasting in a vase—strip the stems of all but the most visible leaves before setting them in water. 'Green Envy'. Thanks, Submitted by The Editors on June 23, 2020 - 9:22am. When do you return outside? Above: Planted in the Enabling Garden, Double Zahara Fire (Zinnia marylandica) is part of the series that is powdery mildew-resistant. But try it! Still not sold on zinnias? 1000 Lake Cook RoadGlencoe, IL 60022DirectionsGarden MapSmartphone AppAdmission is free.Parking rates apply. Zinnia plants can take a few weeks to become established, but once it warms up, expect them to bloom from summer right through fall. No time to deadhead? Of course, the tall varieties are the zinnias of choice for cutting: 'Benary's Giant' is famous for its three-foot-tall, sturdy stems and large flowers. Many gardeners in warmer parts of the world are able to successfully direct seed their zinnias straight into the field, but here in cool Washington we start our plants in 72-cell trays in … I also want to collect the seeds at the end of the season. I kept the bed moist and soon the zinnias started coming up. Zinnias + butterflies = the quintessential summer garden. Zinnias do better with a slow-release fertilizer mixed into their planting soil. February starts spring. They can even grow in clay or other poor soils. Sow a round of seeds every week or so for several weeks to extend the flowering period. Zinnias are bright, cheery members of the daisy family, closely related to the sunflower.Zinnias are popular with gardeners because they’re so easy to get along with, even in climates with long, hot summers. They were in a drawer in the original seed packs for over a year and I planted them in the late Spring of this year 2020 in PA. "Zinnias are universal symbols of summertime that bloom from mid-summer until the first frost, in crisp, vibrant colors such as pink, red, orange, yellow, green, and white," says Venelin Dimitrov of Burpee. If you want them to reseed, let the last flowers of the season mature fully and scatter their seeds. Submitted by Anita Griggs on February 21, 2019 - 7:45pm. 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. Unlike many bedding plants, zinnias can handle Florida's hot summers, and healthy plants will bloom throughout the summer, often until the first frost. I planted a bed of zinnias in my front yard, mixing my desert soil with prepackaged mulch. I will continue to sow seeds throughout the summer to fill in areas that have stopped producing. This article will show you how to properly do it.