Zinnias & Squirrels

About Zinnias

• Botanist Gottfried Zinn first saw zinnias growing in the Mexican desert. Though today they are very popular, the native Mexicans found them so hideous that they called them mal de ojos, which means "sickness of the eyes." About four of more than a dozen zinnia varieites are common in American gardens. These are: Z. elegans (most common), Z. angustifolia, Z. haageana (Mexican zinnia) and Z. pauciflora. Zinnias love sun, and bloom from mid- to late summer into the autumn. Zinnias grow successfully in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 10; this includes all but the parts of Canada and the northern United States where summer temperatures remain too low.

How to Grow Zinnias

• Zinnias are suited for a beginning gardener or one with a decidedly black thumb. They can be purchased either as seeds or seedlings. While the seedlings provide instant gratification, the seeds grow quickly and don't significantly delay flowering. Zinnias thrive in the sun, even where more delicate flowers might scorch. Ensure the planting area drains well, as it takes little to drown these plants. Don't worry about conditioning the soil, as zinnias are not particular. Dig holes deep enough to fit the root of established plants. Loosen the roots, place the seedlings into the holes, and cover the roots with soil to ground-level. Alternately, sprinkle seeds over the area and cover them with 1/4 inch of potting soil. Keep the soil barely moist. Water twice a week in moderate to humid areas, and three to four times a week in dry areas. Regular deadheading extends their flowering season.

About Squirrels

• There are three major categories of squirrels in the United States, tree squirrels, ground squirrels and flying squirrels. Tree squirrels are undoubtedly the type that most people are familiar with. One of the most common tree squirrels is the fox squirrel, which has a large native habitat extending from the eastern United States west to Colorado and North and South Dakota, as far north as the lower Canadian regions and as far south as Texas. The eastern gray squirrel shares much of the same habitat as the fox squirrel. The western gray squirrel, as the name suggests, is native to the western United States and western Canadian provinces.

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Zinnias

• The squirrels common to the United States often bite the entire head off of a young zinnia blossom. Zinnias have few natural pests or diseases, but a squirrel can spoil an entire patch. It is possible to keep squirrels away from zinnias without harming them. An easy way to do this is to provide a squirrel feeder. While they munch zinnia heads, squirrels would much prefer a tasty snack like sunflower seeds or acorns. A squirrel feeder full of appropriate food draws them away from the zinnias. Create a border around your zinnias using either predator urine or mothballs. If you have a cat, used litter carries the scent of their urine. Mothballs have a scent that most squirrels find repugnant. Do not cover the flowers with either product. As a last resort, cover each plant with a cage made of chicken wire.