Update...and Beautiful Zinnias

I haven't posted in a few days....been busy. The weather is awesome but kinda weird. I actually was sitting with a flannel shirt on last night because it was so chilly....in July come on...I'm pretty sure the tomato harvest is going to be pretty punie this year..such a disappointment. I had high hopes with all the tomato plants I planted. The zinnia and sunflower bed is rocking and the gazebo is well on its way. I just love Zinnias they are so beautiful, and easy to grow and care for. I sew them in a well prepared bed, and fertilize them every once in awhile, and Mother Nature does the rest. Here are some photos of the garden, and a little info on Zinnias.

Zinnias are one of the easiest annuals to grow, grow quickly, and bloom heavily. They make a massive burst of color in your garden.
Zinnias have bright, solitary, daisy-like flower heads on a single, erect stem. The most common zinnia is "dahlia-flowered" and grows up to three feet. Other types are "cactus-flowered."
Use in an annual or mixed border. Smaller zinnias are suitable for edging, window boxes or other containers. The narrow-leaf zinnia also works well in hanging baskets.
Zinnias are very popular for cut flowers.

Planting

• Zinnias are grown from seed; they grow very quickly in the right conditions. Zinnias do not like to be transplanted.
• Full sun is essential wiht a minimum daylight temperature of 60 degrees F.
• Zinnias are adaptable but prefer fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil at pH preference 5.5 - 7.5.
• If soil is amended with compost, the flowers will grow more quickly.
• Sow seeds 1/4-inch deep.
• Space plants 4 to 24 inches apart depending on variety. (Many common varieties are 6 inches within the row and 2 feet in between rows.) See back of seed package.
• Germination occurs at 74 to 80 degrees F in 5 to 76 days.
• Sow in succession for a longer flowering display.

Care

• Deadhead to prolong flowering.
• Maintain moderate soil moisture and fertilize lightly.
• Zinnias will die with the first frost.

Pests
Bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew, bacterial wilt. Minimize wetting of foliage to avoid disease.
Caterpillars, mealybugs, and spider mites also cause problems. Avoid spraying and tolerate some leaf damage unless the situation is uncontrolled.

Harvest/Storage

Zinnias generally take 60 to 70 days from seed to flower (though it depends on conditions).

Recommended Varieties

• Get a full-size flower on a compact plant with cultivars of the 'Dreamland Series.' Dwarf and compact, these zinnias have fully double flowerheads, to 4 inches across in a wide color range; stems are 8–12 inches tall.
• The 'Thumbelinia Series' cultivars and dwarf and spreading, with single or semi-double, weather-resistant flowerheads in many colors. Their petals are 1-1/4 inch across and stems grow up to 6 inches long.
• The 'State Fair Series' are the biggest and tallest of them all with large, double flowerheads that are 3 inches across. Stems grow to 30 inches tall.

Special Features

• Attracts Butterflies

Wit & Wisdom

• The small narrow-leaf zinnias make nice dried flowers, too.