Starting My GROW ALONG Zinnia & Basil Seeds in Soil Blocks: Flower Hill Farm

[@fromthehutt9508]

Soil blocks are officially on my 2023 wish list 😍 The space saving, saving on seeds used, time saving with potting up, less plastic, I am in love.

[@SharonLaMotte]

love your laugh

[@radmilamiljanic5977]

What?! No silly ending?!? LOL Nicole, you're blessed with supportive family:)))

[@growingoutsidethebox]

I'm in zone 4b. I am experimenting with putting out sunflowers with cover outside. I have volunteer sunflowers all over in my beds so I'd thought I would try. Lisa Mason Ziegler has some resources on starting them out early with cover.

[@GardenHands]

@Growingoutsidethebox, I'm doing the same thing after listening to Lisa's suggestions!

[@kittiew260]

Great news my sunflowers I tried winter sowing worked. Snowing again today and they did fine

[@Talula72]

I'm in zone 5b and we are about 4 to 5 weeks from sunflower time but I also have numerous sunflowers that sprouted up in my raised beds.

[@DebOfAvondale]

My cinnamon basil seems to actually BE cinnamon basil. (WHEW) I'm putting most things out in the garden this weekend (Zone 7b) I am excited but nervous i'm going to mess things up. It's my first year with cut flowers. I cant wait to see a garden full of blooms!! Thank you for doing this grow along, Nicole!

[@SnappyR]

When we see your Spring Planting and Prepping videos, then fast forward to Summer where you're having Bouquets Flower Bar Events on your porch where we can see all those beautiful flowers - it's amazing. You work so hard to have your dreams come true - Great Job Nicole!!

[@yoclark2723]

I can't tell you how much I enjoy just watching you plant seeds. I'm done with spring flowers and onto summer. It's noon here and we are a cool 72 degrees right now and will be 80 this afternoon. Zone 10b. No more rain for us as well. Just waiting for your farm to burst into bloom!

[@Angie_P]

Same here. I love seeing your flowers grow. I'm in 9b Florida. It's dry season here for another month or so and we're hitting high 80's.

[@ruhlfamilyfarm8047]

Hi Nicole! New subscriber here from zone 6A. I really enjoy your informative videos AND delightful sense of humor! This is my second year of trying flowers on a larger scale. We have a 30 acre farm that has been in the family since 1898. I have been a "home gardener" for years and am now attempting to develop an enterprise to monetize this interest. If things grow well this year I'm planning a PYO flower event and pumpkin patch. Question- I'm also having about 60% germination from last year's Benarys Giant Zinnias seed from Johnny's. I didn't use heat mats, planted them on 4-18-23 in fertil pot strips using my own composted soil. The seedlings are looking a little peaked, not good color and leggy. I move them outside to get some sun whenever possible but it has been cold and rainy here for about a week. I'm also seeing a little mold forming on top of the soil (Bad!!!). Would a shot of miracle grow in the water help bring them around or do they just need more heat and sunshine (or both)? I'm planting more today, along with more cosmos and marigolds. Last year the seeds I started on May 1 did very well from the get go. Thanks! Chip in Pennsylvania.

[@kittiew260]

Winter sowing in jugs works for 🌻. They are strong & healthy with snow again here today. Still doing great in jugs

[@LifeIsMessyImLearningAsIGrow]

I’m planting Zinnias for the first time ever this year and I am really looking forward to watching them grow. I’m a KZbin gardener too. Thank you for sharing this video. It’s very helpful to me. Thanks fo teaching me something new. I hope we can learn more from each other.

[@cynthia3157]

My snapdragons are blooming! My cinnamon basil were correctly labeled and doing really well. Texas, zone 8

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Woohoo!

[@joelc9421]

I am in Texas too dfw area👋

[@cynthia3157]

@@joelc9421 I'm in DFW too

[@atefbasha1809]

It is very very beautiful Work 🐏🐫🐎🐕🐶🦄🐢🐼🐧🐉🐢🐘🐭🐹🐰🐇🌷⚘🌱🌼🌻🌺🌲🌵🌵🇺🇸🇺🇸SO Super Much more

[@annette2407]

I cannot wait to see these wonderful zinnias! Excited 😊

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Me too!

[@tamararobinson2069]

Oh Holy Moly!! So happy or sad or whatever to finally have this video to finally work!!! I gave up on this because I’d given up on doing the grow along - my basil wasn’t right - the germination on the amps & babies breath was 😝 - I blamed my abilities to start seeds. I’m back in now!! I’m going to direct seed the Zinnias and Sunflowers.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Yay! 👍👍👍

[@ahavarichardson5426]

Don't give up! Really rewarding when you are able to cut them for your Homestead! Good luck. I'm kinda growing along but growing lots of Flowers. Basil was tricky for me at 1st. Now, I just sowed about 500. I'm, selling it fresh and in bouquets! Have lots of fun!

[@tamararobinson2069]

@@ahavarichardson5426 Thank you for the encouragement 🥰 I do have somethings going better second time around. Maybe I was over caring for them☺️

[@DragonflyArtz1]

Something exciting- in my few Winter Sowing- Started in Feb. Delphinium. And Yellow Columbine. Maybe even Day Lily, In my Spring Winter Sowing- Double Click Cosmos, Katz Formula Stock and maybe more. And thank you so much for telling people not to give up if some things don't grow! Sometimes things don't work out. But ya just gotta keep on keeping on! 😜🌱☮

[@terrihart2133]

I have not started my grow along. It just snowed about a week ago. I will just sow mine outside. Looking forward to being out in the garden again.

[@MilliePat]

Georgia 7B, starting Zinnias and Basil in soil blocks. The basil is giving poor germination because the tray is on a heat mat. I covered the Zinnia (1020 tray) with a humidity dome, on a heat mat, and no lights. I use the one-inch block maker. Question: How long are the trays covered with plastic? Are the trays under the lights before germination?

[@katherinepettersson7997]

I can not stop replaying "dear lord I put them in the bag with the basil" 😆😆😆

[@kimberly8185]

Sounds like you have amazing inlaws. Just as it should be ❤️

[@ainegriffin8166]

Im in cork Ireland and have spent last few days planting out my plants i cant wait to watch them bloom. love your channel. thanks

[@FlowerHillFarm]

My maiden name is Griffin :) My family is from somewhere over there. Would love to know more specifically one day!

[@ainegriffin8166]

@@FlowerHillFarm it's my married name.

[@carolannjacques268]

Thanks for your encouragement, I have a list of things I'm never planning again.

[@anniecampbell8554]

The feed scoop for moving compost / seed planting mixture is terrific (and frustratingly - why didn’t i think of that!!) thanks to your dad-in-law for the top tip!! BTW you make soil blocking formation look so easy (and fun - no bad words!!). This is my first year of trying and i have a trail of fails. But now that the important early starts are well on their way i have the luxury of practicing with succession planting seeds. try and try again as they say….

[@vblacktravel]

You should try cardinal basil. Those flowers are deep purple and very beautiful

[@rubynicol7464]

I just began this year growing flowers. You've taught me a bunch. Thank you. I'm in Oregon zone 8.

[@annaohman984]

Not alone, here in Stockholm, Sweden we have about the same climate as you! ☺️

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Nicole. I’m going to try my soil blocks soon and I’m thrilled you showed again how to!🌷💚🙃

[@Who_Else]

Basil definitely gets a gel-like coating around it after it gets wet! Reminds me of chia seeds that way!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Yes!

[@ahavarichardson5426]

Zone 8b here! I just cut my 1st Bouquet, and the flowers are just beginning to bring blooms! The purple Larkspur are Devine, Dill, Batchelor buttons, Raspberry and deep purple Sweet peas. cosmos and Rudbeckia Black eyed Susans! with a few Phlox. I decided to pull out the Benarys giant Zinnia's to do a 3rd succession with you

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Yay!!!

[@Edu_Kate]

I noticed seeds just a year or two old have poor germination. I followed parsley directions, soaked the seeds overnight before planting. The new curly parsley seeds were first to appear, then the flat-leaf parsley showed up. The seeds that are a couple years old never germinated. They're stretched so I'm hoping they'll perform better once outside in natural sunlight. All my seeds are stretched and pathetic. I hope to have better luck direct sowing. (Zone 4b, Minneapolis)

[@sandychristiansen1749]

I was laughing out loud when you couldn't find your zinnia seeds -- not at you - but I will be sitting in one spot and can't find something and my hubby always asks "How can you lose something, when you are still sitting in the same place?" -- I always tell him it takes a special talent. Have you ever grown lime basil -- I think it smells even better than Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Ha! I have grown that basil and I think it smells like Fruity Pebbles 😀

[@nnagle9224]

Your tiny soil blocks look like brownies. Maybe I am just starving.: )

[@UrbanCountryStyleByJudy]

I’m zone 8b. I started my zinnias 2 days ago on a rack in my partially above ground basement heated at 20C with no mats or lights. They are all up. I also started mine the Sarah Raven way in the pellets because they don’t like their roots disturbed.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

👏👏👏

[@stephaniewarren9285]

I literally just experienced the basil thing. I planted lemon basil, watered it, and then noticed it looked like jell balls when I went back to cover them. It freaked me out because I thought I had stirred up some sort of bug egg 🤣

[@silencedflower8441]

I got rocket snapdragons going on strong and my babies breathe is doing great too. No rudbeckia. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@missmrice91]

You are cracking me up 😆

[@jameslawless4118]

I always knew zinnia were fast growing . I was concerned that maybe I waiting too long to start them (Zone 5a) I started them on 5/3 and they germinated by 5/5 Kind of freaky . Thanks for all the help in starting my flower farm

[@ElderandOakFarm]

I cant wait to hear your exciting news! 😁👏 I think 3rd time's a CHARM for me with the ranunculus also! Although O didnt get them in the ground quite as early as I would have liked- theyre looking so good & growing soooo fast!

[@gene7733]

i thought zinnias didn't apreciate root disturbance . Did you have success even with the regular plastic containers . Love your channel... from Quebec, Canada zone 3

[@7bpotager8]

My snapdragons haven't germinated yet. The sunflowers 🌻 germinated. Waiting to start the zinnias in a couple of weeks 🌸

[@carolannjacques268]

My fort Vee had too many small rocks for the small blocks. Ive already killed my grow along rudbeckia that was in small blocks, it's a watering learning curve for sure. I've planted more rudbeckia in plug trays.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

That's a bummer, I've never had an issue with too many rocks in my mix. I've had a couple here and there but not enough to notice. Bummer about the rudbeckia- watering is very trying. I'm spending hours a day doing it!

[@sarahb3565]

Glad im not the only one whose seedlings also died off. I think mine dampened off due to the compost used in my soil block recipe :(

[@FLOWERSANDSLOTS]

So, so excited for FLOWERS! I actually am trying to figure out how to make my own seed-tape for Zinnias. :) Paper towels cut in strips???? (wet)?

[@mienkedezoete2146]

I’ve noticed that you have huge seedlings in what appears to be the 3/4” soil blocks, how do you keep them so healthy in such a small amount of soil, and when do you bump them up into the 2” squares? Would love to know your secret, and love your videos, always super fun and informative 😊

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Water and fertilizer! Constant monitoring

[@NaturallyBrittany]

I’m midway through the video but I’m curious on how you plant out your basil. What type of spacing and do you pinch it? Or once you do the first cut it branches more? Do you keep cutting on it all season long?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

12 inches apart...I deep cut it first which acts as a pinch.

[@NaturallyBrittany]

@@FlowerHillFarm Thanks girl!

[@backwoodsbaby9729]

I made almost a 1000 soil blocks last weekend. My hands are still stained... I'm wearing gloves next time lol But I think my peat moss was too chunky cuz it was hard to form the blocks. I ended up taking great big handfuls of dirt and shoving it in the blocker. Lol it worked I have cute baby blocks now And no I have not yet stuck a seed in the blocks... I know it's disjointed I'm working on it.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Stained! I’ve never had an issue with that. Sounds like you’re getting the hang of it! Sometimes you need to add more water to make it work 👍

[@judymckerrow6720]

Although I’m in zone 6a it’s still too cold to really even think about putting any of my seedlings out yet 🙁🌷💚🙃

[@juliafiore120]

🤣🤣 “I soiled my blocks” 🤣🤣

[@jenniferwolford4646]

I think my germination of the zinnias was 100%. Finally. Redemption hasn't done us well.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Glad the zinnias worked out! UGH!

[@jenniferwolford4646]

@@FlowerHillFarm Ya really just never know (until ya know)! 😉

[@mmcreads]

Yeah my germination was “good enough” but Redemption seed starting instructions and plant descriptions were seriously lacking. And in some cases flat out wrong 😑

[@jenniferwolford4646]

@@FlowerHillFarm Well, now we know! She did a wonderful job with packaging though! I'll give her that!

[@haleyfink6325]

Hey I'm curious once you starting with soil blocks if you have to cover the seeds with soil or do you just sort of leave them loose in the little hole on top?

[@jwbowden674]

My packet of basil I got from the grow along was cinnamon. I got mine; unless the packet was marked incorrectly?

[@saeteurn7657]

When should i start feeding my zinnias after it sprouts?

[@ellenschwarzkopffreeman3697]

I'm also in zone 4b, and started a 50-cell flat of snapdragons indoors on March 26. They've germinated fairly well, but just seem stuck in seedling stage - no true leaves yet. I know they're slow growers and I'm trying to be patient, but this seems ridiculous! Do I need to bump up the heat, fertilize more than once a week, or something else entirely? I'm at a loss and anyone's thoughts would help! 🤔

[@growagarden54]

Love your videos. Question about soil blocks. So, it is not necessary to cover the seeds with soil, after you insert them in the holes? Thinking about using soil blocks. Thank you.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

That all depends on the seeds, but generally, I don’t cover. If the packet says requires darkness I use vermiculite to cover the seed 👍

[@margieroberts790]

What kind of water system do you have for your beds?

[@plot10homestead58]

I've been so disappointed in my 'grow along' seeds. I've never had germination rates this poor or seedlings that seem so weak. (I was actually surprised to see a grow along video posted...I assumed it was long since forgotten :/ )

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Sorry to hear that! This is the 7th Grow Along video so far for the year. My season is short, so my seeds are started later!

[@plot10homestead58]

@@FlowerHillFarm After watching the entire video it seems I missed out on the chance to chat...super sad that the emails didn't find their way to me. The last email I received was in late January and my video watching has been sporadic, which is completely on me. I'm super small scale, just dipping my toe into growing cut flowers this year. I have a few hundred hardy annuals in the ground, dahlia tubers planted in pots until the weather warms a bit more, and I'm planting my second round of zinnias tonight. I'm going to try another pack of the 'grow along' seeds and hope for better germination. Zinnias are pretty tough so these will probably do much better than the others :)

[@jakelewis36]

Does anyone know if double bloom zinnias are good for pollinators? I’ve heard double varieties are bad, but I already planted my seeds.

[@angelinarose6064]

If we didn't receive the emails is there a way we can see the zoom meetings/or emails? Not sure what I missed out on. Thank You :) If not no worries.

[@Gardengal79]

Do you cover the zinnias with soil?

[@kimberly8185]

What are the benefits of starting seeds this way vs a seed tray?

[@silencedflower8441]

One of my seed packets stated that Zinnias grow larger blooms, if planted direct from seed. 🤔 ?? Rumour? What do you think? Anyway., I started zinnias but only half germinated. Starting some more and then leaving some for direct seed. Gonna do some testing this year I guesses 😋

[@FlowerHillFarm]

I definitely had huge baseball sized blooms from my seeds started indoors. You can do an experiment! Let me know!

[@silencedflower8441]

Will do. Ongoing. 😋

[@carolannjacques268]

Have you ever planted cilantro and have any pointers? I'm not having success with that!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

I planted cilantro for my seedling sale and it sprouted well and is still thriving. No tips particularly. I seeded 10-15 seeds in a cell.

[@ECole-le7we]

I am a new subscriber. What is grow along? You mentioned it multiple times, but I had no idea what you were referring to.

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Hi! Welcome. I started a Grow Along over the winter where people signed up to participate and grow the same seeds as me. We are just growing the same six flowers and taking notes and comparing. The members have access to videos a couple days early and get emails and a couple video chats with me. It sold out quickly with over 700 members. There were thousands of other people who wanted to participate but didn’t make the membership so I told everyone I would post the videos here as well.

[@mmcreads]

Mine were cinnamon basil 🤷‍♀️ at least most of them are…guess I haven’t really got in and smelled them all yet - they’re still small

[@FlowerHillFarm]

They should have a purple shaded stem as well. I'm not saying everyone got the wrong seeds but a lot of people have emailed me about it~ Glad yours are good!!!

[@suewolf6016]

My rudbeckia and babies breath germinated ok, but they seem to have stalled. They are still so very small.. should I pot them up anyway?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

You can pot them up. I’m leaving mine in soil blocks until I plant them out to save space 👍 They might get a boost from potting up

[@jenniferwolford4646]

Mine are itsy bitsy too. Maybe I'll try potting some up.

[@sirisiri3945]

My rudbeckia which I started more than a month ago is sooo tiny, i have kept it indoors in direct sunlight... the other seedlings are just doing fine in the same location.. plz suggest what am I doing wrong

[@melinapatterson9533]

I tried snap dragons, they germinated but won’t grow! I don’t know what the deal is!

[@sherryo.6600]

Do you have a link for the soil block thingy that you use? I saw some on Amazon but they are bigger. Thanks for all of your videos! ☺️🙏🌸

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Sure, it's this one amzn.to/3klW3oS

[@nancyhebert5325]

Hi Nicole. Was the regular basil substituted or mislabeled? My packet is marked as cinnamon basil. I hadn’t started it yet but you know I will tomorrow!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

I assume they were mixed up because I was never informed about a substitution!

[@Angie_P]

How do you decide what to plant in soil blocks vs seed trays? Is it based on the plant or just random decision?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Size of seed typically. If it fits in a block it goes in a block

[@lindseyeddy30]

Curious what price you sell your zinnia seedlings for?

[@katrienvh4289]

Hi Nicole, are the "California Giants" the same as Benary Giants zinnia please?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Similar, but not the same 💐

[@barbaramccann7944]

I’m definitely soil-blocking next winter, but I haven’t found a blocker with a handle like yours. Where do you suggest buying it from?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Hi! If you're talking about the blue part, my husband made that. He dipped it in a rubber solution to make it easier on my hands to use!

[@barbaramccann7944]

@@FlowerHillFarm I remember seeing that; but I’ve seen two handle styles. I’ll go back to that video and look again, thanks!

[@kenroycharles6938]

What can you do to your zinnia plants for big flowers

[@FlowerHillFarm]

Feed them 💐

[@helenachase5627]

What is grow along ?

[@meganwisener36]

How can you tell if you didn’t get cinnamon basil seeds when their babies?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

They have a distinct color and smell almost immediately.

[@262GinaPD]

Where did you get the soil blocker? I need one!

[@FlowerHillFarm]

There’s a link in the description 👍

[@joelc9421]

Do you only put compost in your blocker?

[@FlowerHillFarm]

It’s a compost mixture made specifically for soil blocking 🌷

[@andreamccarthy3752]

Um…seems like so many of you are having poor germination with the baby’s breath. I have about 50 plants and only have a backyard cutting garden! I guess I’m giving a lot of mine away.

[@user-gy2pj2yh5j]

Apreciando a una mujer tan hermosa. 2:1 sentadillas son unos YOURGIRLS.Uno muchas y un buen ejercicio. 5:25 Se deja ver que hay muy buenos resultados 😍👍 Saludos desde la Cd.. de world losl mortales abian apreciado tan hermosa mujer

[@DanLizotte]

I agree so much with the success/fail thing. One thing that has helped me a lot is keeping a really simple garden log; I just use a google doc and write a quick note whenever I do a garden thing. Only when things fail really hard/repeatedly do I leave myself notes like "DO NOT BUY THESE AGAIN."

[@FlowerHillFarm]

I have those highlighted in RED on my spreadsheet ‼️🤣

[@DanLizotte]

@@FlowerHillFarm Mhm mhm. Mine are orange and sometimes they have swears.

[@AngiesPantry58]