clear a small area .. couple feet square ... sow the seeds ... when they get an inch or two big.. then move them around in mid to late spring ... protect larger seed from vermin ... i would call it a nursery bed ....

after you spread them out ... return the saved mulch ...

you can try it your way ... but i think the odds will be long.. as to being overwhelmingly successful ...

or better yet ... try it both ways.. report back ....

ken

I'd follow Ken's advice. You'd be wasting your seed if you tried to scatter it on top of the mulch. As you said yourself, the nigella seed and small seeded things like poppies, catchfly, etc. will fall into little crevices in the mulch and stay moist enough to sprout and take hold. Zinnias - very doubtful.

But, if you have an abundance of seed, to repeat Ken: or better yet ... try it both ways.. report back .... :)

- Alex

Thank you, Ken and Sam. I do have an area outside of the garden that I can use as a nursery bed. I will do as you said as soon as it's safe to plant. I probably won't try my original idea. You're right - doubtful many would actually reach the soil. I hope I have a gorgeous photo of zinnias to post next summer. Thank you again.

Whilst seeds will do very well in a gravel mulch, the little seeds need to make contact with soil...not bark chips or compost...and several inches will not provide a decent seed bed. Either keep a separate nursery area and transplant or sow in containers (but also involves transplanting).

Thanks, Campanula. I have decided to plant my zinnia seeds in an unused area that I can use as a nursery bed. When I said it was outside the garden, that was a little misleading. I only meant it isn't in the rose and perennial beds that I keep groomed. It was once my iris bed but has not been used for several years. Question - why no compost? The soil in this bed has had compost mixed in, but not recently.