Thursday, December 14, 2017

Zinnias in the Snow

Zinnias Winter 2017

This story begins with a conversation that took place in early September of this year, when I called the El Paso County Extension office.

I needed to talk to a master gardener.

You see I was in a bit of a panic.

I couldn’t imagine making my gardening way through 2017 without having zinnias.

It may seem hard to understand, but it was the last bridge too far in a year of monumental changes.

Here is what happened when I made that phone call.

Me:  “Hi- we’re new to El Paso, and I wanted to plant zinnia seeds in raised beds this week, and I need to get some information.”

Him: “Oh dear- I am afraid it is too late in the year. “

Me:  “But I need to do this…I haven’t gone a year without planting zinnias in years.”

Him:  “It is really about the growing and blooming season. Plus the nights and mornings are too cool. I just don’t think it will work.”

Me:   “I just have to…”

Him:  “Oh dear. “

And so I did.

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 I walked outside, took the wooden mirror crate the movers had used, and I ripped off the cardboard backing.

There were still wooden slats across the bottom of the crate, but there were about 6 inch gaps in between.

I am a slinger, so I left them in place.

I worked up the soil a bit, dropped the box in place, and filled it with gardening soil.

I then poked a hole in the bed to find the rows that would clear the boards, and I planted my beloved zinnia seeds.

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And then they came through.

And of course, the gentleman at the extension office was right.

The nights and mornings were too cool.

But I was right too.

And were they the healthiest zinnias I have ever planted? No.

But what they lacked in perfection, they made up for in perseverance and that kind of ‘vamanos’ spirit I love.

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And earlier this month when it snowed, I walked outside to check on them, and I found this.

Zinnias in the Snow 2017 (2)

Aren’t they beautiful?

12 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

I'm glad the zinnias did not let you down!

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Good Morning!
We share the zesty love of zinnias! They are positively beautiful blooming prior too and in the snow as well.
Loved hearing from you on my blog too, thank you.
Merry Christmas Lovely Laura,
Jemma

Jeanie said...

Well, I adore zinnias so I really do love this post and fully understand. And the photo in the snow is so lovely!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

I just love zinnias, they are such happy flowers and I'm so glad that they showed their faces for you even if the planting time wasn't quite as good as it should have been. Good for you!

Tammy Patina and Paint said...

Your zinnias are beautiful - especially in the snow. I love zinnias and a year without them just wouldn't be the same!

My thrift store addiction said...

I admire your perseverance! The trials of the Texas gardener--oh how I can relate! Your zinnias are perfect! Merry Christmas!

Connie said...

Yes, they are beautiful!! You go girl!!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I've only discovered the beauty of zinnias in the last several years! I adore them and won't be without them in my garden ever again!

CHERI said...

I love zinnias....and yours are beautiful, even in the snow! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Bonnie said...

I've always loved your zinnias. Glad you persevered.

Hena Tayeb said...

Good for you and your persistence.
They are just as beautiful in death as they are alive.

http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com

Pura Vida said...

I love frosty stuff!

 

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