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Zinnias

June Seed Sowing: Extend Your Growing Season for Summer and Autumn Harvests

by Gregory June 24, 2024

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Vegetable Gardening: June Seed Sowing for Summer and Autumn Harvests

Introduction

Summer is in full swing, and your vegetable garden is likely bursting with produce. But don’t let the season end there! June is the perfect time to sow a second round of seeds for a continuous harvest into autumn and beyond.

Vegetables to Sow in June

Pak choi: This Asian green is known for its crisp texture and umami flavor. To grow it in summer, sow seeds directly into the ground and harvest the baby leaves at 10cm tall.
Night-scented stock: Enjoy the sweet fragrance of this flower in the evenings. Sow seeds directly into any patch of ground and provide support with peasticks as the seedlings grow.
Poached egg plant: These cheerful flowers add a splash of color and attract pollinators to your garden. Sow them in the vegetable patch to boost bean production.

More Vegetable Varieties:

In addition to the above, here are a few more vegetables that you can sow in June:

Beans: Bush beans, pole beans, and lima beans
Carrots: Nantes and Chantenay varieties
Cucumbers: Slicing and pickling varieties
Lettuce: Loose-leaf and romaine varieties
Radishes: Cherry Belle and French Breakfast varieties
Spinach: Bloomsdale Long Standing and Melody varieties

Flower Varieties for Autumn Blooms

Cosmos: These daisy-like flowers come in a variety of colors and bloom profusely.
Marigolds: These cheerful flowers deter pests and add a touch of gold to your garden.
Zinnias: These showy flowers are easy to grow and attract butterflies.
Sunflowers: These towering flowers add height and drama to any garden.
Salvia: These colorful flowers attract pollinators and add a touch of elegance.

Growing Tips

Start seeds indoors: If you live in a cooler climate, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
Sow seeds directly: For warm-season vegetables like pak choi and cucumbers, sow seeds directly into the ground after the last frost date.
Choose the right location: Select a sunny spot with well-drained soil for your seedlings.
Water regularly: Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Fertilize: Fertilize your plants regularly according to the package instructions.
Protect from pests: Use netting or row covers to protect your seedlings from pests.
Harvest regularly: Harvest vegetables and flowers when they are mature to encourage continued production.

Conclusion

June seed sowing is a great way to extend your growing season and enjoy fresh produce and beautiful flowers well into autumn. By following these tips and choosing the right varieties for your climate, you can create a thriving vegetable garden that will provide you with a bountiful harvest.

Gardening

Free Flower Seeds 2024: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Zinnias from Seed

by Gregory May 26, 2024

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Free Flower Seeds 2024: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Zinnias from Seed

Introduction

Get ready for a blooming good time! From January to June, we’re giving away free packs of flower seeds to our subscribers. Join us as we embark on a year of gardening adventures, starting with our very own flower grower, Cel Robertson.

Meet Cel Robertson, Our Flower Guru

Cel is a plant lover and the founder of Forever Green Flower Company. She’s passionate about growing beautiful flowers from seed, and she’s sharing her expertise with us.

Growing Together

Cel will be growing six varieties of flowers this year: zinnias, echium, xerochrysum, sunflowers, cosmos, and foxgloves. She’ll be sharing her progress and tips each month, so we can all learn and grow together.

Where to Grow Your Flowers

Cel doesn’t have a garden at home right now, so she’ll be using a bed on her flower field and planting containers at home. You can grow your flowers in a garden, containers, or even a polytunnel.

How to Sow Zinnia Seeds

Zinnias are half-hardy annuals, meaning they don’t like frost or cold weather. So, it’s important to wait until it gets warmer before sowing your seeds.

Sow zinnias about four weeks before your last frost date.
Use individual cell trays or seed trays.
Place the seeds in the trays and cover them with a thin layer of soil.
Keep the soil moist and warm.
Once the seedlings emerge, grow them in a greenhouse or polytunnel until they’re strong enough to transplant outdoors.

Caring for Your Zinnia Plants

Once your zinnias are transplanted outdoors, they’ll need regular watering, fertilizing, and sunlight.

Water your zinnias deeply and regularly, especially during hot weather.
Fertilize your zinnias every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
Zinnias need at least six hours of sunlight per day.

Harvesting Your Zinnias

Zinnias bloom from summer to fall. You can harvest them when the flowers are fully open.

Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle.
Remove any leaves that will be below the water line in the vase.
Place the zinnias in a vase with fresh water.

Get Inspired

Looking for more gardening inspiration? Check out these helpful resources:

Tips on how to tidy and clean your greenhouse
Prepare your greenhouse for spring sowing and growing
Check out our guide to the best heated propagators
Be inspired to build your own polytunnel
Read up on sowing seeds early
Follow David Hurrion’s four steps to seed sowing success

Conclusion

Growing zinnias from seed is a fun and rewarding experience. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy beautiful blooms all season long. So, gather your supplies, sow your seeds, and let’s get growing!

Container Gardening

Plants for Summer Containers: A Guide to Color, Fragrance, and Foliage

by Donna May 2, 2024

written by Donna 4 minutes read

Plants for a Purpose: Summer Containers

Summer is the perfect time to add a burst of color and life to your garden with containers filled with vibrant flowers and foliage. Here are some of the best plants to consider for your summer containers, chosen by gardening experts and enthusiasts:

Herbs for Summer Containers

Basil (Ocimum ‘African Blue’)

Basil is not only a delicious herb but also a beautiful addition to summer containers. It produces purple spires of flowers that bloom in summer, attracting pollinators.

Indian Mint (Satureja douglasii)

Indian mint has a wonderful trailing habit and captivating fragrance. Its dainty white flowers create a whimsical feel.

Flowers for Summer Containers

Zinnias

Zinnias come in a wide variety of colors and have a long flowering season. They are easy to grow from seed and make excellent cut flowers.

Hebes

Hebes are evergreen shrubs that tolerate drought and poor soil. They produce small purple flowers from spring to late summer.

Angel Wing Begonias

Angel wing begonias have heart-shaped leaves and showy coral or salmon-colored flowers. They bloom from spring to fall.

Erigeron karvinskianus

Erigeron karvinskianus is a low-growing perennial that produces a profusion of small, daisy-like flowers in white or pink. It is a great filler plant for containers.

Agapanthus ‘Arctic Star’

Agapanthus ‘Arctic Star’ is a perennial with large white flowerheads above gray-green foliage. It is well-suited to growing in pots and will thrive for many years.

Ipomoea ‘Sweet Caroline Purple’

Ipomoea ‘Sweet Caroline Purple’ is an annual with dark burgundy-purple foliage. It is a trailing plant that can be trained to grow up a trellis or allowed to cascade over the edge of a container.

Osteospermum

Osteospermums produce large, vibrant flowers in pink, purple, yellow, or orange from June until October. They make a great centerpiece in small pots or a striking filler plant in large containers.

Verbena bonariensis

Verbena bonariensis is a tall, slender perennial with purple flower heads. It is a great choice for adding height and interest to containers.

Foliage Plants for Summer Containers

Cushion Bush (Calocephalus brownie)

Cushion bush is a half-hardy shrub with silver-gray leaves. It loves full sun and infrequent watering.

Pelargonium tomentosum

Pelargonium tomentosum, also known as scented leaf geranium, has large, furry leaves with a unique fragrance. It prefers partial shade and can tolerate drought.

Tips for Choosing Plants for Summer Containers

Consider the size and shape of your container.
Choose a variety of plants with different heights, textures, and colors.
Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs together.
Don’t overcrowd your containers.
Fertilize your plants regularly.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new growth.

With these tips and plant recommendations, you can create beautiful and thriving summer containers that will add a touch of color and life to your garden or balcony.

Gardening

Growing Annual Flowers in Zone 8: A Comprehensive Guide

by Donna December 20, 2020

written by Donna 3 minutes read

Annual Flowers for Zone 8 Gardens

Zone 8 is a great place to grow annuals, which are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season. Annuals provide a lot of color and visual interest in gardens, and there are many different varieties to choose from that are well-suited to the warm, long summers and mild winters of Zone 8.

Common Zone 8 Annual Flowers

Some of the most common annual flowers for Zone 8 include:

Begonias: Begonias are attractive annuals that bloom from spring until the first frost. They come in a variety of colors, including pink, red, white, and yellow.
Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemums are technically perennials, but they are often grown as annuals in Zone 8 because they are sensitive to cold weather. They produce a wide range of colors and are a popular choice for cut flowers.
Cosmos: Cosmos are easy-to-grow annuals with delicate foliage and pretty flowers in shades of yellow, pink, white, and red. They can grow very tall and make good screening plants.
Ornamental peppers: Ornamental peppers are not grown for their flowers, but for their bright, small peppers. The peppers can be yellow, orange, red, or even deep purple to black. They are generally used for show, not for cooking, as they can be very spicy.
Zinnias: Zinnias are bright, showy flowers that tend to spread, making them a good choice for groundcover. They thrive in heat and sun but need plenty of water.
Marigolds: Marigolds are common Zone 8 annuals because of their beautiful shades of gold, orange, and red. African marigolds have larger blooms than French marigolds.

Planting and Caring for Annuals in Zone 8

Growing annuals in Zone 8 is generally easy, but there are a few things you can do to help them thrive:

Prepare your soil: Before planting, stir up the soil and amend it if necessary. If your soil is heavy, add perlite or sand to improve drainage.
Transplant: Transplanting is the easiest way to grow annuals. Space your transplants evenly, as recommended by your nursery, and do so only after the last frost.
Water: Annuals need regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Water them deeply every day when it is not raining.
Fertilize: You don’t need to fertilize annuals if you have rich soil, but many gardeners use a bloom booster when watering to encourage the plants to produce more flowers.

Tips for Growing Annuals in Zone 8

Here are a few additional tips for growing annuals in Zone 8:

Choose varieties that are well-suited to the climate.
Plant in well-drained soil.
Water regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
Fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
Protect from pests and diseases.

With a little care and attention, you can enjoy a beautiful display of annual flowers in your Zone 8 garden all season long.

Flower Gardening

Do Zinnias Need to Be Staked? A Complete Guide to Staking Zinnias

by Gregory February 23, 2020

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Do Zinnias Need to Be Staked?

Zinnias are beautiful flowers that are easy to grow, but some varieties can grow quite tall. This can make them susceptible to falling over in strong winds or heavy rain. So, do zinnias need to be staked?

When to Stake Zinnias

Not all zinnias need to be staked. Some varieties, like Zinnia angustifolia, are shorter and more compact, so they can usually stand upright on their own. However, taller varieties, such as those that grow to 3 feet (1 m.) or more, will likely need some support.

It’s best to stake zinnias when they are about one-third of their mature size. This will help to prevent them from falling over before they have a chance to develop strong stems.

How to Stake Zinnias

There are a few different ways to stake zinnias. One of the easiest methods is to use one stake per plant. Simply insert the stake into the ground next to the plant, being careful not to damage the roots. Then, tie the zinnia stem to the stake using soft material like twine.

Another option is to use wire cages or tomato stakes. Wire cages can be placed around the entire plant, providing support for all of the stems. Tomato stakes are similar to individual stakes, but they have a crossbar at the top that can be used to support multiple stems.

Benefits of Staking Zinnias

Staking zinnias has several benefits. First, it helps to protect them from strong winds and rain. When zinnias are tall and slender, they are more likely to be knocked over by inclement weather. Staking them helps to keep them upright and prevents them from being damaged.

Second, staking zinnias helps to keep them off the ground. This is important for preventing diseases like powdery mildew and leaf spot, which can thrive in moist conditions. By keeping the stems and foliage off the ground, you can help to reduce the risk of these diseases.

Materials for Staking Zinnias

When staking zinnias, it’s important to use sturdy materials that will not bend or break easily. Some good options include:

Wooden stakes
Metal stakes
Wire cages
Tomato stakes
Twine or other soft material

Tips for Staking Zinnias

Use stakes that are longer than the mature height of the zinnia plant. This will ensure that the stake is firmly planted in the ground and will not be easily knocked over.
Insert the stakes into the ground at least 6 inches deep. This will help to keep the stakes from wobbling or falling over.
Tie the zinnia stems to the stakes loosely. You don’t want to tie them too tightly, as this can damage the stems.
Check the stakes regularly and adjust them as needed. As the zinnias grow, you may need to adjust the stakes to keep them upright.

Conclusion

Staking zinnias is a simple and effective way to protect them from damage and disease. By following these tips, you can help your zinnias grow tall and strong, and enjoy their beautiful blooms all season long.

Flower Gardening

Watering Zinnias: The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Flowers Thriving

by Gregory February 14, 2020

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Watering Zinnias: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Zinnias are beautiful and popular flowering plants that are easy to grow and attract pollinators. However, like all plants, they need proper care to thrive, including regular watering. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about watering zinnias, including how often, how much, and how to avoid common problems.

How Often Should I Water Zinnias?

Zinnias need about 1 inch of water per week, especially during the flowering period. However, the frequency of watering will vary depending on the weather and soil conditions. For example, zinnias will need more water during hot, dry weather and less water during cool, rainy weather.

How Much Water Should I Give Zinnias?

When watering zinnias, it is important to soak the soil deeply. This encourages the roots to grow deep and strong, which will help the plant withstand drought conditions. Avoid shallow watering, as this can lead to root rot.

How to Avoid Overwatering Zinnias

Overwatering is a common problem with zinnias. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and烂根. To avoid overwatering, make sure to:

Check the soil moisture before watering. Stick your finger in the soil up to your first knuckle. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
Water deeply and less frequently. This will encourage the roots to grow deep and strong.
Avoid watering zinnias in the evening. This can lead to fungal diseases.

How to Water Zinnias in Different Conditions

Hot, dry weather: Zinnias will need more water during hot, dry weather. Water them deeply and frequently, especially during the flowering period.
Cool, rainy weather: Zinnias will need less water during cool, rainy weather. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Sandy soil: Sandy soil drains quickly, so zinnias planted in sandy soil will need more frequent watering.
Clay soil: Clay soil holds water well, so zinnias planted in clay soil will need less frequent watering.

Common Problems Related to Watering Zinnias

Yellowing leaves: Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Check the soil moisture to determine the cause.
Stunted growth: Stunted growth can be a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Check the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Root rot: Root rot is a fungal disease that can be caused by overwatering. Symptoms of root rot include yellowing leaves, wilting, and stunted growth.

Tips for Watering Zinnias

Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system to water zinnias. This will help to deliver water directly to the roots and avoid overwatering.
Water zinnias early in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. This will help to prevent fungal diseases.
Mulch around zinnias to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can ensure that your zinnias receive the water they need to thrive. With proper watering, zinnias will produce beautiful blooms all season long.