I have been planting the seeds indoors and transplanting zinnias for the past several years since moving to North Carolina. I have also planted The seeds directly in the soil after the weather warms, to fill in the spaces where the transplants don't take as well. The ultimate germination and success rate does not seem to be much different for either procedure for me. I use bagged "garden soil" to amend the soil when transplanting the seedlings, and amend the soil with the same when planting from seed. I have added a slow dissolving fertilizer later in the season to aid growth and bloom. I plant varieties that are supposed to run from 18-36 inches tall, but always seem to get a number of plants over 6 feet tall, regardless of the variety or varieties used. Needles to say, staking is a necessity. Since these are grown on both sides of a rail fence, it can be used to tie up the plants, too.
I have been planting the seeds indoors and transplanting zinnias for the past several years since moving to North Carolina. I have also planted The seeds directly in the soil after the weather warms, to fill in the spaces where the transplants don't take as well. The ultimate germination and success rate does not seem to be much different for either procedure for me. I use bagged "garden soil" to amend the soil when transplanting the seedlings, and amend the soil with the same when planting from seed. I have added a slow dissolving fertilizer later in the season to aid growth and bloom. I plant varieties that are supposed to run from 18-36 inches tall, but always seem to get a number of plants over 6 feet tall, regardless of the variety or varieties used. Needles to say, staking is a necessity. Since these are grown on both sides of a rail fence, it can be used to tie up the plants, too.