🌸 Starting Zinnias in Soil Blocks :👨‍🌾Direct Sowing Zinnia with Sunflower Steve: Flower Hill Farm

Hi Flower Friends! It's Nicole from Flower Hill Farm- today I am showing you how I start zinnias from seed with soil blocking and we are also heading to Sunflower Steve's farm in Wisconsin where he direct seeds thousands every year.
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[@amyrainbow237]

Nicole: "Stick with me Sunflower Steve, I'm going to make you a star!!" 😄 🌟🤩

[@FlowerHillFarm]

A household name! 😂🌻

[@Fabdanc]

I live in Houston and can plant zinnias as early as late February or early March, but now I wait until May when it is really hot out. I found that the spring rains we get would just wash out or flatten the seedlings. In May, they germinate and grow so quickly that I have to worry a lot less. And if anyone grows them in containers, you gotta try under planting them with portulaca. Zinnias cannot root as deeply in a container, so they may flop or fall over after heavy wind... but the shallow, net-like roots of the portulaca will help lock up the top of the soil and help hold them in place. Plus, they are nice little pops of color that will spill out over the edges of your container!

[@sheryamiraslani6596]

I started this year & all died but one, when transplanting them. I was so sad!

[@bryonyhellis]

I just transplanted 100 mixed zinnias in our elementary school garden, love them!

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

I fell in love with zinnias last year. Saved some of my own seed and bought Queen limes too.

[@JAYNEmM1962]

Thats what I planted too! I hope they are as beautiful as floret showed.

[@45jessiemad]

I fell in love with them too last year! I'm so excited to be growing even more this year.

[@ashleyseamans6747]

Steve’s zinnia field is stunning. I’m planting a small field and dream of it looking like Sunflower Steves! 💚

[@FlowerHillFarm]

It really is!

[@gardengatesopen]

Sooooo... Zinnias always have a good point. 👉👈 Gotcha. 🏵💮🌼

[@julielamb9983]

That is what I call a field of dreams!! Love it!

[@justinereinhart115]

I love the Oklahoma and queen lime series. I grew those last year. So beautiful.

[@marilynm2086]

So interesting to see how it’s done on a larger scale.

[@SarahNicole6]

Im from Minnesota and I’m thinking about starting my own cut flowers garden/hobby farm and I can’t wait to try those sunflowers 🌻 they are absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for all the helpful info

[@madpharmtech]

The creamy yellow Dalhia zinnia was one of my favourites from last year and especially paired with the benary pink.

[@shaundaflips2482]

The wheelhoe is amazing! It needs to warm up already for all of us!

[@leiaflash5055]

I started a bunch of zinnia seeds for the first time and they are already an inch or so high! So excited to see them bloom!

[@ElderandOakFarm]

Ok I have a million varieties of zinnias & now I want more! I've went 2 months without ordering anymore seeds Nicole! I ordered the unicorn Zinnias from Floret! I thought they were just different solid colors at first, then I realized they were multicolored!

[@pamschill7879]

Great video! Full of helpful info. Anybody else notice how much better Sunflower Steve is getting in his videos? He's a natural.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

He really is!

[@jchampagne3609]

Nicole and Steve - best collab!!! Really, really enjoy 💐❤️🤩

[@suburbangardeningcouple]

Loving these collabs with Sunflower Steve! Need the little flower girl zinnia mix for next year 😍

[@charlenefall3831]

Wowww I’m just in awe looking at y’all flower farmers 💐💐💐💐💐

[@LitlPoot]

oh zinnias .... how I love you !!! I'm looking forward to growing some this year on my new property. thanks for the info & inspiration !!!

[@itsallaboutlight]

I've never seen zinnias planted that way. Cool

[@GengaKim]

Love your content, and love watching you also. You're always so energetic and funny! If you bottle whatever you're taking, I'll buy a bottle or three🤣

[@debrahutson4357]

I direct seeded my second succession of zinnias and sunflowers on July 11 and I made a beautiful bouquet for my friend that passed away on September 2 and my first sunflower had bloomed so I added it to the bouquet and I planted all of them July 11 so it is possible to get blooms in a pretty quick time when you plant them in the heat of the summer. They were all direct sown.

[@michelleodell1236]

I'm growing zinnias for the first time this year. I think I'm going to try direct seeding them once it gets warmer. I just don't have room under my lights for everything. Or maybe start just a few inside of each of the varieties I bought. Sunflower Steve seemed so comfortable with the camera this time!

[@Fabdanc]

Zinnias are a great direct sow seed. I personally find that they still get too leggy under lights and you'll end up needing to plant them deeper. Every time I direct sow, I never have an issue unless I put them somewhere slightly to shady. I am late this year, but I usually plant mine in May here in Houston when it is already quite hot and they just burst out of the soil.

[@lynetteledoux2845]

Huh, I’ve always planted the seeds flat - laying down. Learn something new every day.

[@Smaime]

Ahhh I ❤️ zinnias! They’re my favorite flower to grow and the first annual flower I successfully started from seed. And non-toxic to cats & dogs so I can actually bring a bouquet inside! I plant them every year now 🤩

[@dianaalbers6327]

ONE tip so you are aware if you collect seed, Zinnia's will cross pollinate so they will mix...... just a FYI

[@karie3]

Starting my zinnia's in soil blocks this year! First time growing them in the soil blocks. I had planned to have them all planted by now, but our weather has been horrible, rain, snow & cold. I have 15 varieties, alot of the same ones you have! I am really excited about the yellow dahila one!

[@karie3]

Wow that's awesome to know you don't have to get the entire seed down into the block. I showed a few trays already and that was the biggest pain for me, trying to get the entire seed into the block. Thanks for the tip!

[@jordanprice3414]

The bloopers at the end… I’m here for that 😂👏

[@jumptobefree]

Zinnias are my absolute favorite to grow for myself and for bouquets. So full, so colourful!

[@kryslaurelle]

You make me want to try soil blocking... Also, thank you Sunflower Steve for sharing with us!! I hope he continues to do so! 😊

[@45jessiemad]

Right? I never wanted to soil block before but now.... may have to buy one 🤔

[@FlowerHillFarm]

I hope so too!

[@FieldsofGraceIA]

I'm doing cut flowers for the first time this year and my direct seed zinneas and dahlias just poked thru this week! I'm so excited to watch them grow!

[@cass77788]

wow didn't know that Zinnias love warm soil so now I know...thanks for that great tip...i am going to try and grow some in June to see how quickly they come up!! love your channel especially your humor and enthusiasm!! God bless

[@lovely-xg5ep]

I saw those zinnias while shopping online for some seeds of my own. I now wish I had purchased them. 😍 Love the queen lime colored zinnia and queen lime orange and red, so gorgeous.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Me too!!

[@plantaplant]

Wow you have such a big farm.

[@684jewel]

I am watching this again today because it is April 1st! Your first day being open at the nursery and I logged on to see if you had an update. I am so excited for you !!! It is going to be a great adventure and will pay off for you. Yayyyyy

[@marydrew3568]

I put my baby zinnias out a few weeks ago. They love our almost 80 degree days we are having a couple times a week in Oregon.

[@cecilleflowerfarm]

First time growing them this year I got Oklahoma mix,northern lights blend from botanical interest and queen lime.

[@gardenergal5198]

I enjoy hearing from sunflower Steve!

[@marcydobbs1653]

Glad to see you again. It was a long winter.

[@MK-wm6gu]

I know this is an older video, but being a new subscriber, I want to see EVERY video you’ve made! This was very helpful, as always. Thank you.

[@mariehernandez8431]

Love your collection of zinnias! Such beautiful flowers🌺!🌻

[@artistinagarden]

Oh exciting! I am growing some of the Queen lime zinnias series this year too! Can't wait to get then in the garden!

[@danahoover1216]

You look georgous in green girl. ! Even that green hat u had on last video. Adorable. U crack me up. Great content. Xoxo Dana from pa

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Thank you Dana 💚

[@gregciotti2620]

Love it. You go girl!!!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Love you!

[@KyLinda]

lol.. Sunflower Steve is fun 💛

[@joyhamilton4248]

You are so much fun to watch and learn from. Thanks for all the great information on the zinnias! I’m waiting for my zinnias to recover from a freak hail storm in zone 8 NC!!

[@michelleodell1236]

My Mom lives in NC and texted .e about the hail. She said it was so unexpected.

[@eljardindelamorenita5863]

Love your energy 💜

[@patriciacole8773]

Thank you for showing me to plant point down and that’s it 😊🌸

[@Gardening-FarmtoTable-andMore]

I love the whole process that Steve has created for his flower field! Sabrina

[@karlahpeace8254]

It's 78°f in cali. My zinnias are about to bloom and my mammoth sunflowers are already over 6' ft tall

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Awesome! We are just a bit behind here in the tundra 😂💐

[@hebert2361]

Thanks flowers friend. I learn so much every time. Keep the videos coming.

[@VeryMiley]

Your videos are not only tremendous fun to watch - but so full of growing information for any hole gardener or starting homesteader! Snowed in with the nor’easter today - watching all your videos to prepare for this years seed starting and garden planning ! Thank you!

[@christopherlaws3077]

Love Zinnias,planting five tall growing varieties in my yard in the spring

[@tracyoconnor-mcgraw4952]

I didn’t know about planting zinnias in a specific way 🤯🌻❤️

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Only in the soil blocks- if you're covering them with soil then the pointy tip is automatically in the soil and you don't have to worry about it!

[@MarshsGarden]

@@FlowerHillFarm Thank the lord! I just I planted around 3000 seeds and I was like “noooooo! I put them all in wrong! 😬. Scouring comments “please, please, please let them live.” 😬🤪 and on to scouring about the temps. Omg, I’m such a newb. 🙄. Thanks for all the content! Helps a ton! ❤️👍🏻🙌🏻

[@sophfitz5012]

Zinnias.... love them... if only i could get them to grow lol... me and my black thumb. You give me inspiration to keep trying next spring!!

[@thomasschimmeyer8715]

I am so excited!Love seeing blooms :)

[@connieshelby5639]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us Sunflower Steve!!!! and as always thank you Nicole LOVE when you bring us along with you.

[@miguelinaelenaoltmanns8091]

I wish I can just come to Wisconsin to get some of those beautiful sunflower seeds from MR. Stive!! that will be much easier for me,,,since I am in Minnesota!! thankfully for sharing your wonderful work!!🙏😇‼👍🌷⚘🌻⚘🌻⚘🌻⚘🤠

[@plantaplant]

That's really excellent way to grow zinnia and sunflower seeds

[@dinri5544]

Nicole, Like you, my fingernails are always dirty during gardening season. You make me smile.

[@karentorbert5646]

I used the soil block for the first time this year. I stuck my zinnia seeds in like you did but was unsure about them sticking out of the block. I sprinkled soil over the top so after seeing you do it I guess I didn't need to do that. Thanks for showing how to do them! 🌼🌼🌼

[@gioknows]

Wonderful video. Watching whilst on vacation from sunny ☀️ Tulua, Colombia

[@kerriesylvester6776]

love the sunflower steve/nicole team!!!

[@dkburruss]

Thank you Nicole! You always put a smile on my face ❣️

[@katrina2931]

Love the bloopers 😝

[@pharmgirl1955]

Oh Nicole, you so need that wheelhoe.

[@joanneleung528]

Zinnias are just amazing I’m doin a few beds at my allotment this year , though I’ve never planted point down ,didn’t know about this , ive always just chucked them on top flat , lol still come up , but gonna try your way when I do soil blocks next year , loving your seedling updates I’m checking on my veg daily it’s all so tiny , weather is crazy at the. Dry ,wet cold , super wet , just taken 10 days off work and rained every day still doing stuff but need some sunshine love your videos inspire and cheer me up when I’m fed up of weather x Happy Gardening. Joanne🌸🌼🌸🌼

[@winniejack2492]

I’m subscribing cause u r real. 😂 and funny. 😊

[@digsindirt4490]

Oh wow! I never knew that about the point on the zinnia seed. Thank you.

[@moodyhap]

Can’t wait to see those Zinnias blooming! All the flowers I’ve tried growing have been eaten by ground squirrels 😡... I give up lol

[@Shridra]

Just put my zinnias to start today! It's my first time growing them, so I'm hoping they do well =D

[@littlemissblueyes100]

I decided to start zinnias indoors this year. Plant March 29 they are still in flats and have buds as of today..

[@pamulapowell3951]

Love zinnias i grow tons every year there such a beauty💐

[@min0regon]

What a well timed video - not that you made this just for me 😅 but thank you!! I grew three zinnias for the first time last year and they brought me so much joy I am now starting from seed for the first time and have plans for a bed of zinnias. I am super excited to grow the queen lime series - I’m starting half indoors and direct seeding the other half. 🤞 Thanks for sharing your beautiful flower farm and knowledge!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Wonderful!

[@n.w.414]

Nicole, I have the Queeny Lime Orange this year! We grew zinnias from seed last year for the first time but I was so disappointed at how small the flower heads were. Then I saw the queeny's on Garden Answer and just loved, loved them. I can't wait to see how they turn out. Just waiting for things to warm up. Am a zone 3 here. The seedlings are about 5 inches tall right now. I may have started them a tad bit too soon, haha.

[@emmyhusfloen]

I love Banary's Giant...

[@emmyhusfloen]

I screwed up and grew some upside down, so the root was coming up rather than down.. had to flip them..

[@flowersbychallais]

It’s all about the tools sometimes 😊

[@CrystalMendoza05]

Thank you for so much good information.

[@petalandposeboudoir]

I’m in Wisconsin too...sunflower Steve, please teach me your ways!

[@lisamorgan9151]

You’re so funny! ❤️

[@jenniferandrews6487]

Wow, I am growing ALL of the EXACT same zinnias in my cut flower garden this year! I did order the soil blockers from the Gardener’s workshop, but I’m all out of fort vee mix...not sure if I should try it with the potting soil I have on hand, or grow them in plug trays? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Starting mine tonight! (I’m in zone 5a in Vermont) I shall wear my Flower Hill Farm hoodie and channel my inner Nicole while doing it...hahaha

[@Mrssandypeterson]

You can make your own soil. There doesn’t have to be a “specific formula”. We use peat, vermiculite, some sand I screen and then also some clay that I screen also. I’ve also added some sawdust too for some mixes. It works great for us.

[@jenniferandrews6487]

@@Mrssandypeterson thanks!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Sounds great!

[@canadiangirl5159]

Going down to -1C which about 30 Fahrenheit. Then 8C tomorrow night, so it looks like I'm good to go..

[@chrishobsonwhalen5238]

You crack me up!

[@sheilastromberger2275]

Kudos to you for painstakingly dropping the pointy side of each seed down! I always direct sow my zinnia’s (binary giants of any color are my favorites) by digging a shallow little trench with the hoe and then just sprinkle the seeds....never have I ever even thought to place them pointy side down🤷🏻‍♀️Obviously Sunflower Steve isn’t concerned about that either....is the difference because you’re starting them indoors? Can’t wait to see all your varieties in full bloom🌸

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Because I’m not covering with dirt- the seed tip needs to make contact with soil when soil blocking zinnias!

[@sheilastromberger2275]

@@FlowerHillFarm Learn something new every day (or every day you put out a video anyway 😉) Thank you for the info.

[@Littlebitesofjoy]

If the room temp isn't as hot as they like it when growing under lights (we keep ours in the basement), is it ok to put a heat mat under them?

[@breik8183]

Okay I need new lights or new starting mix or something 🤔 I thought my zinnias where doing alright but after seeing your growth I think I'm gonna have to step up my game next year 😅

[@jenniferandrews6487]

Dude, same 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@michelleodell1236]

None of my seedlings of any type have looked as good as Nicole's. She's got it down!

[@sherylgardiner7]

I know there so healthy

[@hotzbay]

Thank you Nicole for this helpful video! Question - how do you do that soil tray you planted the zinnia seeds in? Please!

[@humajhaider]

Never knew about planting the seeds with the pointy side down 😅 super informative video! I was wondering .. if I saved seeds from my zinnias this year would I get the same variety when I plant them out next year ?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

I'm not sure- there are a lot of factors. If it was the ONLY variety you grew then maybe...but otherwise they get cross pollination.

[@WibblyWobbly]

Maybe Nicole can administrate Sunfower Steve's youtube channel? I think Steve have a ton of useful information, he deserves a channel!))

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Haha, I can barely keep up with my own. Nice thought though! 💞You wouldn’t believe the amount of time it actually takes to produce these 🤯🎥😂🌻

[@WibblyWobbly]

@@FlowerHillFarm i can imagine, thats why i dont start my own :D

[@patshanahan8147]

Thanks for showing how to put them into the seed pods. What are the seed pods made of? Is it just wet potting soil? I'm a noobie, help! (great video btw)

[@helenachase5627]

I started a few too early and the weather turned very cold. A few damped off. They will if you keep the top of the dirt too wet.

[@libbyshipman9607]

Do you use grow lites in the house? Or do you put a potting tray outside?

[@jennifersvare8121]

I HAVE RANUNCULUS BUDS!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Amazing!

[@irenetorres8073]

That’s great!! I was wondering what plate to use with earth way!! I just purchased Hoss double wheel how!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Wonderful!

[@dianestinton4656]

Just wondering -how did the tulips that you said you "hated" sell for Mother's Day? I thought they looked awesome,so just wondering!! Love your You tubes!! Best of luck this spring/summer. Looking forward to more of you and your flower farm-so envious!!

[@Gardengal79]

Do you cover the soil blocks with soil or let the seeds stick out? Thanks!

[@joannbishop892]

You said the zinnia plants were ready to transfer out. Did you mean to harden off or to plant in the ground? And did you cover the rest of the seed that was sticking out?

[@joannesnyder7975]

First thing is I love you!! I have been watching you for over a year and this is my first year growing. So zinnias. I am having terrible germination. What am I doing wrong? I have been abler to germinate every other flower!! I start in soil blocks, cover with Saran Wrap and put on heat mat. I am getting maybe three seeds to germinate in a week. I am so confused!!

[@danielrosenthal8417]

How do you harden your plants before planting them out?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

They spend a week on my porch in dappled sun and gradually go out

[@denisegirmer4550]

Do they need to be hardened off?