Starting Zinnia Seeds Indoors

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Want to grow zinnias in your flower garden this year? Learn how to start zinnia seeds indoors with these simple tips.

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Zinnias can be started indoors about 4-6 weeks before the last frost date in your locality. Use a seed starting tray or small pots with drainage holes filled with a quality organic seed starter mix that is pre-moistened.

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Make a small hole then sow the seeds then lightly cover them with vermiculite. Sow only one variety per cell tray as the different plants will germinate at different times.

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Cover seed trays with a clear dome and move them under the grow lights on a heat mat to speed up germination. They typically germinate within a few days to a week.

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Remove the cover when the seeds start to germinate. It’s OK if they didn’t all germinate, more will grow after the cover is removed. And keep the soil moist by bottom watering only.

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Before transplanting zinnia seedlings outdoors, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a period of 14 days.

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When seedlings are hardened off and ready to plant in the garden, space zinnia transplants in your flower garden about 9 inches apart after the last frost date. Spacing is really important so there’s enough airflow between plants to prevent problems like powdery mildew.

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Water young plants regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Feed with an organic fish fertilizer for a few weeks and then use a slow-release fertilizer so feeding them is set-and-forget. This will help promote healthy growth and lots of blooms.

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Follow along to learn more about starting zinnia seeds.

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