Zinniatastic!

Several years ago, I was enjoying a beautiful glossy edition of Martha Stewart's Living magazine and came across an article about zinnias. Their happy colors and shape immediately grabbed my attention.  Upon closer inspection, I noticed the golden crown that the vibrant pink zinnias produced.  I had to look even closer.  This golden crown was made of smaller flowers, seemingly holding hands as they encircled the center of the bud.

I was sure this was the cutest thing I had ever seen and decided at once to fill my large planting pots with adorable zinnias.  My garden was going to be hap-hap-happy!

They were not available at my local Home Depot or Lowe's garden centers, but I eventually found some at a local nursery. Sixty dollars later, I had barely enough to fill 2 pots.  They produced and produced all summer and I was so sad to say goodbye to them as the fall arrived.

 I had been babying my marigolds for years, collecting millions of the tiny seeds from inside the dried buds as I "dead-headed" my garden.  I knew that if I stored them in paper sacks in the cool garage throughout the winter, they would be ready for planting in spring.





I decided to try the same with my zinnias.
I collected the dried flowers and gingerly removed the seeds to dry throughout the winter and replant at spring's arrival.




Ta-daaaa!!
With regular watering and weekend treatments of Miracle Grow, my zinnias are once again flourishing in my backyard pots.  They cost me nothing but a small labor of love.  It's incredibly satisfying to know that I nurtured these cuties from seed.  My children love getting involved in the seed collection process, and I love that together we have discovered a love for zinnias!

 I'm off to enjoy an end-of-summer day in my flower garden!

Live, love and create intentionally,

Kristi