Harvesting Zinnias for Beauty Next Spring!
I have a project at the table today. I love projects, don’t you? Harvesting zinnias today is the planning for the beauty next spring that makes anticipation during the gray months so worth the wait.
I had never planned harvesting zinnias before. A few years ago, a friend gave me a little gift of seeds. When he gave them to me with an explanation that he had harvested them and told me you just simply plant them, I was in awe.
And the journey began.
In the spring, I planted those little zinnia seeds. And WOW! were they gorgeous. And taller than those little plants I had bought before. They towered above me. They drew in butterflies… and bees…and pollinators… and hummingbirds. Be still my heart. And along with them, I became smitten.
Each year as I plant those harvested seeds, they are a reminder of my friend. Then as they bloom, I add them to arrangements and they decorate my home, my screened in porch and delight me with the incredible simplicity and beauty of each one.
Like us…they are beautifully and uniquely created…
Today, I thought I would share the little craziness that has rocked my world.
And can I be completely real? I was not the expert in this field of zinnias. And as I googled and listened, EVERYONE had their opinion of when and how to harvest…some with cutting the best blooms from the stem and drying in the sun…some were waiting til they wilted on the stem so that their seeds were completely developed…EVERYONE had an opinion.
So, here’s my method.
I look for those favorite zinnias and simply arrange them to enjoy in vases in my home.
After they are beginning to wilt, I cut the flowers off of the stems.
Next, I lay them out to dry completely.
Simply break apart the seeds and harvest all of the seeds from the stem and discard the stem ends.
Like with other seeds, I store in a labeled paper bag, ziplock bag or jar until spring or until I make sweet gifts to share the joy with others.
And, as the season winds down for their beauty, (September for us here in Kentucky), I harvest the rest. You may wish to avoid areas that show disease or distress. But, quite frankly, I have harvested it all before I knew differently with magnificent results.
These make wonderful Christmas gifts with a sweet note attached on planting. Here’s a copy of a card from one year’s gift!
Zinnias are the EASIEST flowers to plant in the spring.
I have a great post on how to do that here.
I simply find a sunny location in my garden. We have a wonderful compost department in our city where you can purchase a truckload of fine compost for a very reasonable cost. I spread about a half of an inch of compost where I want to plant, spread the zinnia seeds generously (be careful that it’s not a windy day!) and then cover with another 1-2 inches of compost and water in. Can you get any simpler than that??!!
Mine grow beautifully! and bring me so much joy. Especially since they possess a sweet history and I have planted them from seeds that were a gift.
I hope you’ll end this season of growing with preparing for a new season. Harvesting a few zinnias of your own. And perhaps if you have other friends and family growing zinnias, you might share this idea with them!
Sharing the joy is true happiness. And perhaps you will think of each other as they spread their beauty and joy throughout your garden…And you know what, it brings a wonderful event to look forward to in the spring.
and found the tiniest galvanized tags in my gift tag bin….and the ribbon added to the front…a Sam’s Club find!
I love when you can prepare early and tuck sweet gifts away. Don’t you?!!
I have a group of blogging friends who are part of a Harvest Hop!
They are sharing the great ideas and inspiration to get us ready for fall. Hope you will join them! And then share your favorites in the comments!
Happy Harvesting! and Happy Fall, ‘yal!
74 Comments
Chris
Great article. I am if course a petunia man:)
Marie
Your zinnias are so beautiful! You definitely have a green thumb. What a fun hop to be part of
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you so very much! These are just so easy to save seeds and grow!
Leslie J Watkins
Thanks, Chris!
Martha
Beautiful! Loved this a those beautiful zinnias!
Tammy
Leslie, I think a plastic baggie of Zinnias should make it’s way here in Maryland for my flower garden. Hint hint
As a child growing up on a flower farm, we raised Zinnias. It was so beautiful to see fields and fields of Zinnias, Marigolds and Gladiolus among others. What I love about Zinnias are the bright colors of pinks, oranges and yellows together.
Your flower garden turned out amazing! I have enjoyed all of your posts.
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, this friend would be THRILLED to send a little bag of zinnia seeds to Maryland! That would make my heart so happy. Just message me your address! I’m harvesting again today! They have already been sent to California, Idaho, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina…
Claudia
Love this Leslie!!! I have been checking out where I can plant. I may have to make a new bed!!
Leslie J Watkins
I keep looking for new locations that get full sun and my choices are getting fewer and fewer! I love that my deer leave them alone. I have had groundhog problems with them eating them in years past, but, thankfully not this year!
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Marie
Your zinnias are just beautiful! What a fun hop to be part of
Leslie J Watkins
Thanks, Marie! Saving those seeds for next year is just a MUST for me and perfect to share for a Harvest Hop since I’m harvesting seeds now. Loved hopping with you!
Carol@Blueskyathome
Leslie, I have to admit I’ve never grown anything from seed. Your zinnias grew beautifully. What a wonderful flower to have for arrangements and just to enjoy in the garden.
Leslie J Watkins
These were probably the first flower that I have truly committed to planting from seeds and continue to do each year. My husband is as crazy about them as I am. He loves watching the hummingbirds and butterflies…is a stickler for watering them from underneath with a soaker hose…and is the first to make sure that they have supports, when needed. I think we are both addicted to them both in the garden and arrangements. I hope you’ll give it a try! Loved hopping with you!
Diane
This is a great idea. And this is so similar to how I got started with zinnias and having a cutting garden. Love the simplicity of how you plant yours — and how you collect your seeds. Thanks for sharing.
Leslie J Watkins
Thanks, Diane. Still trying to keep my colors balanced so that my garden and bouquets keep an abundance of colors! Loved hopping with you!
Juliet
Saving seeds is so easy and you get so many more plants next year!
Thank you for sharing your tips & thank you for joining the Harvest Hop.
Leslie J Watkins
I know–Those seeds just simply multiply. Trying to keep the colors balanced has been the latest challenge! Loved joining the hop and so appreciate you putting it all together! So much fun!
Stacey
Zinnias are SO beautiful and I really love the idea of gifting seeds. What a fun idea!!
Leslie J Watkins
Those seeds are so abundant, and so many ask for them, that I thought they were a perfect gift. I love when the recipients of them send me photos of theirs as they grow. Makes my heart so happy!
Renae
Ooh, I love this. Zinnias are so pretty. Hugs to you.
Leslie J Watkins
I know, right? Some of my favorite flowers! Hugs to you, too, friend.
Cindy
You Zinnias are gorgeous. You have me hooked. I’m going to plant these in fron of my shed next year from seed. I hope I follow with your beautiful crop.
I pray that rabbits don’t go near these because we have multiplee families living under or shed. I’m not a summer person, I know gasp. But these will make me happy.
They seem strong and don’t need staking. Pinned!
Leslie J Watkins
I LOVE the tall ones and those are what were gifted to me. I have bought shorter versions that didn’t have the resilience that the tall ones do. When they do get tall, I do put stakes and a rope to prevent winds from laying them down. As they grow, I add another strand of roping, It works beautifully. As for critters, groundhogs were a problem one year, but haven’t been for quite a while now. maybe netting around the bottom might prevent them from getting to them as they grow. The best of luck to you!
Kristin Perez
Oh my goodness! I feel like I need zinnias in my life and I feel like I can actually make them grow.This coming from a girl who has never been successful growing anything! Thank you for hopping with us!
Leslie J Watkins
Can I tell you that these were truly the first flower seeds that made me feel like a true gardener? So easy to plant and grow here. Mine have now reached 7 ft. now! They are beginning to get past their peak beauty…so, I’ll be harvesting as many as I can for the next few weeks. I even have an area where I planted last year and didn’t get to this year, and they reseeded and are as beautiful as the ones I planted. Love them SOOOO much! If you are starting them, I would recommend those that get to a good height. The shorter ones that I planted one year just didn’t produce the beauty or resilience that the tall ones do. Loved hopping with you!
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Vickie Ramey
I was the recipient of one of those zinnia gifts. I planted them that first spring at the side of my house and as soon as the first shoots of life appeared, they were eaten right down to the ground. I’m afraid my Florida heat and sand are not conducive to your beautiful zinnias, but I so love them when I see them when my feet are under your table.
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, goodness! I can’t imagine that they don’t love your Florida heat. They seem to thrive in sun and heat here. But, I’ll take your visits to enjoy them here any time. Love you!
Sue at Blu
Leslie, I agree! I’ve been doing this with my zinnias for years. But I never thought to make a Christmas gift! Genius my friend! And those colors!!!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you, Sue! I love giving them as gifts. So much fun! Loved hopping with you!
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MELANIE CHAPMAN
1. I love you, dear sister, more than most anyone on this planet.
2. NO… I HATE (and HATE is not a strong enough word) projects! I do not know how we are related with this consideration!
3. But I love what YOU do with projects, and that you do it so well!
4. And we both share a love of flowers, the garden, all things beautiful, and home. And of course, JESUS.
5. And we laugh… A LOT!! 🙂
6. Have I told you I love you??!!
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, how I love you little sister! I so miss our laughter together! And, yes, we share the love of the garden and flowers. How did that happen when we grew up with NONE? hahahaha Someday, if you are back in this part of the lower 48, perhaps you will have zinnias and save those little seeds to plant later. IF, I CAN CONVINCE YOU IT’S NOT A PROJECT!! Love you!
Stacy
Love that you are collecting your zinnia seeds! They are so fun to grow!
Leslie J Watkins
I wish I had known earlier how easy it is to save and plant them. Makes my heart so happy to do both!
Nicolle
Thank you so much for this tip! I will be doing this with my zinnias this year!
Leslie J Watkins
Your heart will be so happy when they come back and are even more beautiful and expansive! I’d love to see your results. Loved hopping with you!
Dee Cottage Comforts Home
Leslie, you are so generous with your seeds, and I’m honored that I have your zinnias growing in my garden! I want more success, and will definitely talk to a nursery to find out what I can do differently to ensure more zinnias in the future. Thanks for sharing your info, and seeds they and you are a blessing! Xo
Leslie J Watkins
Keep harvesting seeds this year from those that you planted, sweet Dee, and they will continue to multiply. Just a tip that I have learned, they love to be watered from below so we place a soaker hose under them to water. They also love full sun, if that helps. Keep harvesting and I hope they will continue to grow and be beautiful for you. It has been so incredibly hot here that I truly began harvesting many from the yard yesterday. Have a great weekend, my friend!
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Lynne
Oh my goodness, Leslie! Your zinnias are absolutely gorgeous! I have always wanted to grown zinnias, but never have…until now. I am inspired to follow your lead and grow these from seed next spring. Pinning!
Leslie J Watkins
It makes my heart so happy to see the new plants come back from harvested seeds. Mine are now over 7 feet this year…beginning to slow down and so I am harvesting more seed pods directly from the plants already. Hope you have great results with yours, too! Then send me photos!
Cindy Rust
Your zinnias are so lovely Leslie! Each one is unique, just like us. I plan on saving my seeds this year too. They’re so perfect for arrangements! Thanks for sharing your tips! Pinning!
Leslie J Watkins
I love that each flower is unique, too. Each year when I harvest and then plant and see the new growth, it makes my heart so happy. Hope yours do well for you, too! Thanks for pinning!
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Anne Zirkle
Okay. You’ve convinced me! I’m planting zinnias next year AND I’m harvesting the seeds! Thanks for sharing on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. We’ve added this to our Saturday weekly roundup! Have a great weekend! Simply yours, Anne & AnnMarie
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, my goodness! Thank you! I am beyond honored. Let me tell you…I will never go another season without harvesting and planting those zinnias! They have stolen my heart!
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Leslie J Watkins
Thank you so much for the feature! Adding that image to my next post with much joy!
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Leslie J Watkins
Thank you so very much for featuring me on the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop! I am truly honored! Thank you so much. Sharing on my next post!
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Leslie J Watkins
Oh, my goodness! My heart is overjoyed at being featured this week! Over the moon! Thanks again. Sharing on my next post.
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Leslie J Watkins
What a treasure to be featured this week! Overwhelmed to be included. Adding this to my next post. Thank you so much!
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Leslie J Watkins
This made me so very happy to see my zinnias featured! Thank you friend! Loving all that you are sharing…and I subscribed to your You Tube this morning!
Jennifer Howard
I remembered you had a zinnia seed blog post…I had it on my mind so I can save mine!! So glad you linked it in your post today…you must have sensed that someone needed it today!!
Leslie J Watkins
Oh, I am so happy I could help! Harvesting zinnia seeds is now a MUST on my to do list each fall. So easy and the rewards are HUGE! Happy Monday!
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