Saturday, February 10, 2018

Zinnias and Ten on the Tenth



I have written often here at White Spray Paint about my love of zinnias and the connection they create to my farming heritage and my father,
my wonderful friends and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Zinnia Seeds, and to who I am.


If I may be so bold, I want that for YOU.


To that end, below is a simple, direct invitation in honor of our (Ten on the Tenth celebration today) printed here just for you:


You are cordially invited to join the
Sisterhood of the Traveling Zinnia Seeds


Why?  Because all women need a sisterhood and gardening is the best common ground for that.
The guidelines are simple and the cost is low:)


You do not have to have gardening experience.

All you have to do is say I'm in so I can imagine you planting your zinnias this spring .
How do you proceed? It is so simple:)



Step I.       

Buy a packet(s) of zinnia seeds. I buy my seeds at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wal Mart, and at any small town local nursery or hardware store I drive past.

Small town hardware stores are the best. I love shopping for seeds!  This is usually the point I realize I bought too many packets, and I share them with friends.


Step 2.      
Read the planting information on the back of the packet to determine the best time to plant. If I am ever unsure,  I call  the county extension office and ask them questions (they may be screening my calls at this point).

Step 3.
Find the sunniest area of your yard and prepare your soil. I enjoy planting in raised beds because I need to be able to mow the grass around the bed.

For preparing the soil in a raised bed, I remove as much debris and grass as I physically can, till the soil with my trusty hoe, cover the area with newspaper or light cardboard that I have dampened, and then pour in bags of gardening soil.

Note:  I am not a gardening purist. I am a slinger.  

This imperfect method has worked for me , and I can physically do this myself.


Step 4.
With my index finger or the end of a trowel, I draw in furrows.  If you have a raised bed, make sure you draw the furrow the direction of your bed that is shortest.

You need to be able to reach the zinnias in the middle of the bed.
Step 5.
I sprinkle in the seeds by hand and once dropped, I spread them even further apart. I tend to overplant spaces.


Step 6.
Cover the seeds with soil by moving your hand gently back and forth over the planted row.


Step 7.
Lightly water what you have planted. Do not over water.


Step 8.
Start buying small vases at the flea market to share bouquets of your zinnias with your extended Sisterhood of the Traveling Zinnia Seeds friends and family.


This is a very forgiving kind of gardening, and I promise you will be successful.


Why did I name this the Sisterhood of the Traveling Zinnia Seeds? 


Because after my father passed away in 2015, I took the seeds from my fathers’ dried zinnias that were left in his garden and shared them with friends:)

Today I am virtually sharing them with YOU.

Are you in?  I hope so, and I hope you will tell me all about it as the spring months progress.
 My El Paso Zinnias, Fall 2017

*****

Using Spring as our topic this month, the following bloggers are all sharing spring inspiration today at 
Ten on the Tenth.
As always, visit everyone for wonderful projects and ideas.
 
 
The Purple Hydrangea
At Home With Jemma
The Bookdocks Blog
Exquisitely Unremarkable
Pandora's Box
White Spray Paint
Patina and Paint
Poofing the Pillows
Cottage at the Crossroads
Let's Add Sprinkles
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28 comments:

Tricia said...

I'm in! Zinnias are my very favorite summer flower since childhood. Do you have tips for keeping squirrels from nibbling the new sprouts when they first emerge? Our squirrels find them very tasty! We had better luck setting out small plants from the nursery last year.

Tammy Patina and Paint said...

I'm in! I love Zinnias. I have never had luck with them. My friend Donna ( who is a pro at Zinnias) swears it's because I don't grow them from seeds instead of buying them from a nursery. So this year I'm going to stop and buy a ton of seeds and plant them in every sunny spot that I can find! How fun.

taylorlisa said...

I have loved zinnias ever since I was about 6 years old. My mom let me plant a patch of them. They are just happy flowers.

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

I love flowers, however I do not have a green thumb - It is such a challenge for me to keep a flower alive! I have blogged about it often and have been given lots of advice, but starting anything from seed would be a waste - I buy flowers at the market and pray they will stay alive in my pots for at least one month!!

NanaDiana said...

I had an auntie that always had a full row of zinnias in her garden. I cannot ever remember her cutting any of them to put in vases though. She must have done that?
I love them but have never really grown them.

We have sold our house and are looking for a new place. Maybe I will plant some zinnias!

Have a wonderful weekend. xo Diana

Katie Mansfield said...

What a sweet story. Zinnias are the best. I can't wait to plant mine. They make my mailbox so festive during the summer. Thanks for sharing.

Stacey said...

I'm in!! You know I love zinnias and constantly tell people they are the easiest thing you could grow from seeds. I also agree that gardening brings people together in so many ways. ♥

Jeanie said...

Zinnias are one of my favorites too! I'm remembering this post for spring (if it ever gets here) -- they bring so much colr.

I loved your story.

Diane | An Extraordinary Day said...

I'm a huge fan of Zinnias!! Especially a pink variety. When summer winds into fall I always regret not having had the forethought to plant some fall-colored Zinnias. I must remember to do that this year.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

I adore Zinnias and yes they are so forgiving and understanding and they bloom and attract butterflies and are so wonderful! So I am in. In fact I have some zinnia seeds planted in peat cups right this minute!
Much love to you and the sisterhood of zinnias and tennis shoes:)
Jemma and Sadie

Kim said...

Oh how wonderful. Your zinnias have me dreaming of summer. I am a huge zinnia fan. I plant them from seeds every year, cut them and bring them to friends and family. I do not have a green thumb at all, but for some reason, I can grow these. What a lovely idea and a lovely story for today. Perfect for a chilly winter day.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I’m in! I love Zinnias!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Lovely post Laura. I do Zinnias. I have grown them successfully here. Happy Weekend.

Mary K. said...

Laura this is such a wonderful way to honor your father. I am no gardener but I really like your tutorial and hope to get some tips from my dad this spring so that I can finally start to grow a garden.

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I love zinnias but have never tried growing them. I'm off to buy seeds!

JB said...

You know I am in Sister! You are the one who inspired me! I can't wait to plant.

Unknown said...

I would like to join the club. I'm in.
Ginene
Fox and Finch Antiques

Linda said...

I would love to join this club. What a nice idea. I'm going to the store tomorrow and I'll buy some packets to plant!

Bonnie said...

You grow beautiful zinnias. ��Have you found a zinnia emoji?

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

I think I'm a verified member of this club already! I just could not have a garden without zinnias! They are my favorite because they are such happy flowers! I'm planning to plant a few of my raised beds with them.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Oh I can't wait til it's warm enough to plant flowers!! I love Zinnias!!! Have a great week!

Nancy's Notes said...

You know it, I'm in! I started planting zinnias last year and yes, inspired by you! My grandchildren were involved with this project and are excited about our gardening again this year. I love zinnias!
You are the best!
Nancy

Terra said...

I do like zinnias too, their colors are so varied. My favorite is Purple Prince zinnia.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

I'm not a big gardener, but we do have a raised bed where we plant tomatoes every year. Fortunately, it's large enough that I'm thinking of trying some zinnias this year...thanks for the idea!

Carol

Creations By Cindy said...

I am in too Laura! Love me some zinnias. For that matter, any other kind of flower or herb. I am biting at the bits for last cold spell to pop through so I can start digging. How sweet that you saved some seeds from your daddy's garden. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Kerrie said...

You are inspiring! I moved last August and the backyard is begging for plants and vegetable gardens! And I love raised Garden beds. So glad I visited today from Pink Saturday. ♥

bj said...

...one of my favorite flowers. I have a large container that I'll plant my Zinnias in come planting time. Last summer, DIL and I planted them under a couple of trees by the pool and they were beautiful.

Jane said...

I'm in....I say hesitantly! Hope they grow in Central Florida. Hope they grow for a brown thumb once-in-awhile gardener!

 

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