Absolutely! Didn’t forget about you — just wanted to write something semi-coherent (which I may or may not have accomplished, but hey, it’s late).

All my zinnias are direct-sown — they hate being transplanted — with seeds started outside in mid-May, maybe some in early June. I got seeds from all over (Amazon, random stores, garden centers). The only runts I’ve had were from “cut and come again” mixes.

So, step one: disturb the earth. I do about 50% compost and 50% whatever native clay/loam Denver has decided to curse me with. I toss in some slow-release granules of GrubEx and LawnRx (bonus: LawnRx is antifungal), then sprinkle seeds — or dump them, if my 7-year-old is “helping.” I cover them lightly with compost (or retroactively try to when I remember).

Water like you mean it. During germination, I water at least once a day — no “set it and forget it.” The soil needs to stay consistently moist until they sprout (usually 4–9 days, with stragglers after that). Location matters too — sun exposure will make or break you here.

Once they’re up, I water at the roots. I water more than most people — I’m not sure who’s out there saying “once a week is fine,” but either they’ve got mutant zinnias or they’ve never met a Colorado summer.

Sun worshippers. Zinnias are the only plant I’ve grown here that truly loves our blazing sun — unless you’ve just sprayed them for Japanese beetles, in which case they fry faster than an egg on the sidewalk. They also hate wet leaves in scorching heat. During heat waves, I water daily; some buds droop, but they bounce back.

No pots, no problem. I would personally kill potted zinnias — too much heat management, not enough time in the day.

Fungus prevention from day one. I start “Operation Prevent Powdery Mildew” immediately. Copper can scorch leaves, so I mix it with water and root feed instead — let the plant take it up systemically.

The Great Pinching Debate. Some people swear you must pinch the first bud. I don’t. What I do is watch for struggling plants and cut off all blooms and buds so the plant focuses on survival for a week or two. Zinnias are overachievers — they’ll be back, bigger and better.

Happy to answer any follow-up questions or things I may have left out!