Growing Zinnias from seed (flower, tomatoes, veggies, weeds)

[anitajas]

Does anyone have tips for growing Zinnias from seed? I saved seeds from plants I had last year, and have attempted to start some indoors - with no luck. I have read that they are easy to grow from seed, so I am discouraged...

Fortunately, the heirloom tomato seeds I planted are sprouting! Yum!

I am in Zone 7a, so I should be able to plant outside before too long - and am looking forward to spending time in the garden.

[Bulldogdad]

Heat and mosture. Tomatos are like weeds they will sprout everywhere.

[mjmama]

I grew Zinnia from seed last year and have several varieties planned to grow this year because they did work so well and just kept producing flowers! I planted mine the weekend after I transplanted tomatoes and other veggies and it did take a little while for them to take off.

[coastal chic]

I started all of mine from seed last year. I read that the seedlings don't transplant well, so I sowed the seed directly in the garden.

I just kind of roughed up the ground, tossed them on, then went over the area again with my hands to make sure they had good dirt contact (didn't cover them though) and they popped up in a couple days. They also don't like too much moisture.

I don't mean for this to sound insulting (I was new to seed starting, so I wouldn't have known these things), but are you sure you let the flower heads stay on the plant last year long enough to make seeds? They have to stay on the plant until they are brown, dry, and shriveled before you take them off. Then, you bust the flower open and the seeds are buried inside. Is that what you did?

Good luck!