If I could, I would plant my entire backyard in zinnias.
I can never have too many.
I am just a little worried.
It’s cold down here in Zone 9
(in the mid to high 50’s),
and it is also rainy.
I haven’t planted my zinnia seeds yet
because planting in the cold doesn’t make sense.
I also haven’t planted my caladium bulbs ,my tomato plants,
or my new rosebushes.
What should I do???
I am prepared to get out there in the drizzle and cold and start, but I need your expert opinion.
Help!
21 comments:
Sorry, I am no help:( I hope someone will help you make some planting decisions! Have a blessed day dear Laura, HUGS!
I also adore zinnias -- such wonderful cut flowers! I'm in Zone 8, and our last freeze date isn't until mid-March, so it's definitely too early for us to plant.
Just hang on to them till May, then carefully put them in the backseat of your car (don't forget the seed packets) and drive up here and plant it all in my yard.
Thanks!
~Bliss~
I vote for starting 'em in the house. I can never find any good reason for going outside when it's a drizzly, cold day. My motto has always been why do today what I can put off till tomorrow!
Deb
Cold and grey here also. Sorry - I am of no help. Zinnias are so pretty, but I don't get enough direct sun in the flower beds.
I usually buy the zinnias in small containers later in the year, but Ir eally don't enough direct sun for them to last long. I do love them, though.
If you don't find the answers you seek in blogland, maybe call the local nursery for assistance, regarding planting. I've always had great answers there.
Oh, I'm no help at all Miss Green Thumb! I'd wait till it warmed up a bit, but what do I know! Just don't want you out in this yucky weather!
Nancy
xo
I LOVE zinnias! My grandfather had them planted everywhere in his yard and he was such a great gardener. I wish he were still around for advice.
XO,
Jane
Laura, why don't you call the Extension Service and ask for the woman who is in charge of the Master Gardner Program. I feel sure she can help you.
Good luck!!
Karen
Ladybug Creek
I'm no help, but they are beautiful. Good Luck!
Debbie
Oh sweets...I'm not good at growing stuff. I kill everything. :( :( :(
I think this year I'm going to hire something to 'EP (help) ME! Otherwise I'm going to have a barren yard AGAIN...
You are soooo funny. I just love the way you write.
xoRebecca
I would wait for maybe two more weeks. I do not plant here until the 1st of March. We sometimes get late freezes. But those plants have been living in those containers for a while so as long as they have the correct sun conditions they will be fine.
I am in south Texas zone 8b. I usually start some warm weather plants in mid to late March. Zinnias, tomatoes, mand caladiums might not survive a frost unless you cover them. The rose bushes are probably more hardy. Look them up on the Internet. There might be planting suggestions.
Blessings,
Lorilee
I always wait till March to plant seeds just incase...you never know in Texas...Zinnias are awesome...so hardy...
I'm certainly not one to give advice on gardening being as I have more of a brown thumb than a green one. However, I wouldn't rush it. Even though it's been like spring here for most of the past month or so, I am holding off on anything. There always seems to be a last day or two of low temps before spring really helps. I think the ground needs to warm up some before planting. I also think I've heard it's better to get a late start than a too early one:) There are lots of great gardening books & sites out there though that could give a more expert opinion than mine:) I love zinnias too but don't seem to have much luck with them.
I wouldn't be in a hurry. The sun will come back and the soil will warm up - so much nicer for the little seedlings.
I live in Mobile, Al and grew up in NW Florida. My uncles in the rural community where I lived growing up always planted their gardens on Good Friday. Always worked like a charm. I love, love, love zinnias also. I've had seasons where I had three consecutive plantings to thrive well into November. Good Luck.
I am in zone 8 and we are having a cold snap today. I might put the seeds out, but never the tomatoes this early, unless you have a green house.....smiles
Laura, the seeds that fall naturally from last year's plants have been in the cold all this time and they still sprout. However, to get the best germination it might be best to wait until after the last frost. Old timers say to wait until you see mesquite or pecans budding out. Some say after Good Friday. Others wait a bit longer so they can time the zinnias to come up after the poppies and larkspur are on the way out. Definitely wait to plant your caladiums. You can't take a chance on those. They don't like cold at all ! I do know of someone who has started his tomatoes already (I'm near San Antonio) but he will go out to cover them in the event of a freeze. Many people take the chance of putting them out early so that they can have tomatoes quicker. If they don't make it, they are cheap enough to replace. If your roses are bare root you may wait just a bit longer. See this link for more information on planting bare root roses in Texas
http://www.katylifestylesandhomes.com/?p=4670
Also, if you don't know of it, a good place to go for information is GardenWeb.com. If you are interested in plant swaps, I'd love to tell you about them. Good luck, and feel free to email me directly any time !
Well honey it's a good thing your not just asking me for advice because as much as I love flowers I have no luck with them on the North Forty.
It is a rainy season for sure but I think we will have lots of Blue Bonnets this year because of this rain.
I hope you figure it out because I love Zinnias to and can't wait to see your beautiful gardens.
Bliss came up with a good idea but instead I live closer just plant them here.
Love
Maggie
I'm in Georgia (zone 7 or 8) and I won't be planting Zinnias until April. Bliss' comment made me LOL.
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