Don't forget the Zinnias...........

As a child growing up in rural Georgia my Grandma Jackson would always plant rows of Zinnias amongst the lush vegetables gardens that my grandfather would tend to. The Zinnia flower conjures wonderful memories of growing up on a small family farm and all the joys that I experienced as a child. The bold colors of the Zinnias always commanded  attention.
As you well know Georgia summers can be a bit of a challenge for a garden. Months of drought can take its toll and is very unforgiving. Zinnias and the sweltering heat of summer seem to be a tremendous match. These flowers seem to withstand even the hottest of days and driest of months. Zinnia flowers originated in Mexico and have been very common ornamental additions to American Gardens for over a hundred years. These flowers are often referred t as the Mexican Sunflower. In most of North America Zinnias are an annual plant and will need to be planted yearly. They are easiest to plant by seed. Seeds are very accessible by way of your local garden center or through many online sources such as Eden Brothers Seed Company, WWW.Edenbrothers.com. With that being said we must remind you. Don't forget the Zinnias.
Here are some tips on Zinnia flowers:

Plant In compost rich soil.

Plant in well drained soil.

Plant them around your veggies or among your veggies for some visual interest. You can't beat the color.

Plant each seed about one inch apart.

Always cut away an dried or dead foliage or retired blooms, and add them to your compost heap.

Fertilize with a good organic fertilizer to insure healthier stronger blooms and plants.

Cut a fist full tie a beautiful bow around them and take them to your mother. 

Plant them again next year.