I was surprised to see the map says June 1st. I've been told the last frost around here is early May. I know that might seem a bit late, but even though June 1st is well after your last frost date, the soil needs to warm. Caladiums do not like cool wet soil. Here is an interesting readStarting Caladiums Indoors. Members claim that those planting directly in the soil soon caught up with those that had been stated early. Here is another good read...How to Grow Caladium Plants My one growing experience with Caladiums was a bad one. I planted them too early, and then did not keep them watered properly later in the season, after the soil had dried out from the spring rains. Sue

I have found flowers of sulfur in a drug store. It was recommended as a chigger deterent. We were advised to dust our socks and pantleg bottoms to keep them from crawling up to bite. Don't know if it is still available as this was a decade or more ago. I have some great garden t-shirts, mugs, ties, magnets, bags and books especially on gardening with kids so I will post my URL in the box that was offered. I also have a link to a power point presentation on Weeds Water and Wool - how to use a Dye and Fiber garden to teach across the curriculum. This was presented at the AHS youth Gardening Symposium last summer. Here is a link that might be useful: Weeds Water and Wool - Dye and Fiber Garden

They are not hardy. If you want to get a head start put them in pots inside then transplant out probably mid-may unless we have an early spring and no danger of late frost. If you plant them out early maym just cover with blanket or such if frost is expected,

Hehe, I just decided yesterday to go ahead and plant mine this week. The Lowe's in Irving had what caladiums they have leftover, as well as a bunch of other bulbs (freesia, hostas, gladiolus, lilies, etc.), on sale for half off when I went by there today, by the way.