When to plant annuals?

[Anonymous]

When is a good time to put in the annuals? Have never planted flowers before, excited to get started, but don't want to kill the plants by starting too early. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

I'd wait another 2 weeks before planting. The 10 day forecast has some pretty cold nights. I guess it also depends how protected the area is - you can get away with doing it earlier if it's near your house, or if you have some pine branches you can throw over them when it gets very cold.

[Anonymous]

For warm weather annuals, wait until the last frost date is past and the ground warms up. I wait at least until the end of April, usually early May. If planted too early in cold wet soil the plants will struggle.
Pansies can go in earlier, but I have never planted them so I would ask at a garden center.

[Anonymous]

13:32, I'm not OP, but new to the area. Do you mean for planting annual plants or do you mean from seed? I'm assuming you mean little plants, say in a pony pack? (6 pack)

And would the cut off at night be 32F, where you think it's too cold?

[Anonymous]

The average last freeze for this region is mid April. Wait until then to plant, except for something hardy like pansies.

[Anonymous]

Last freeze is May 10 in this area. You can plant before, but be prepared. Pansies can plant now.

[Anonymous]

Always always wait until May 1 in this area at least. You will see annuals everywhere as early as March but reputable nurseries will have signs up indicating that what you buy could be killed off by a freeze. I like to do it April 15th just because I'm relieved of taxes but force myself to wait until May.

[Anonymous]

Seeds can be started indoors much earlier, but you really need to know what you are doing about starting soil, light, watering, proper temperature.

[Anonymous]

If you are eager to plant now I'd recommend picking up some pansies. Just try not to plant them someplace where they'll get roasted in the summer--aim for part-shade. If you have a good nursery near you I would go chat with someone there about planting strategies--they can be a great resource.

[Anonymous]

What can you plant now? I'm putting my house on the market next week and want it to look nice.

[Anonymous]

5/1, the annuals will not look any better if you plant them earlier.

[Anonymous]

I planted pansies yesterday. They can handle to cold/frost (they might look a bit sad during a hard frost but they will perk up again quickly -- they key is to keep feeding them w/ fertilizer).
For other annuals -- the geraniums, petunias, or impatients, you have to wait until May.
For the person putting your house on the market you might go buy the pots of blooming daffodils/tulips and put them in pots at strategic spots around your house. If it is to be cold at night, put them inside or in a garage,and put them back out each day.