Keep a close eye on the morning glories and sweeet peas. they will sprout quickly once it warms up. Pay particular attention to the MG's in cold weather as the sweet peas are more cold hardy. The basil is not cold hardy and it's a annual - keep an eye on it too.

I think the others will do great!

Dappled sun is best, so you might want to consider another spot as a back up. Just keep an eye on them when it gets hot outside. You can always put a table or something on top of them to provide extra shade so they don't fry.

It's hard to tell in the photo, but are there holes in the top for ventilation? And holes in the bottom for drainage?

Beans and squash need warm soil to germinate, so it may be a little early on those, but then again, you're two zones warmer than me. You'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Whatever doesn't work this year, just make some notes, and adjust your sowing dates on those things for next year. My first year, I did some things too early too.

Bonnie

ah my favorite containers, they are what I use mostly also. The only thing on your list I would not WS is corn, it doesn't like cold or cool soil as far as I know. Hope that helps some. Also my deck where I put my containers also faces South, and southwest, which get the late afternoon sun. The only time you will have to be concerned about the sun and heat drying out your containers will be once the warmer weather comes in, usually April. Then keep an eye on them and also the weather forecast.

Alberta

OOo---Ahhh...I LOVE those containers! What do you purchase in them? Can't say that I've seen them locally, but maybe I'm just not shopping in the right section of the store. Those are great!

Where do you get those containers? They look so convenient!

Thanks! I think they are fabulous! Nice and deep. My mother buys organic spring greens from Costco. The containers are huge, much larger than the big box of spring greens I find in my grocery store.

Thanks for the feedback. If some seeds don't sprout, I'll remember to take note. I made sure to save a bunch of seeds in the packet to direct sow, or winter sow later. Thanks!

Oh no. I am the type of person who would forget to check the containers when the weather gets warm. I'd better move them way before that happens. So it's OK to keep them in partial shade before the weather warms?

This is so exciting. And addicting!

Oh, and thanks Bonnie. Yes, there are about six slits on top, and eight on the bottom. But they aren't wide slits... just the width of the knife. Do I need to widen them? Thanks.

All I would be worried about are the:
beans
corn
Squash
marigold
Basil

You're in zone 7 so you might be in the clear now?

Beans and Corn can rot in cold/wet soil. Marigold can sprout early and kill over if it gets to freezing again. Squash/pumpkin are known to self-sow, however in the garden they normally wait for warm soil warm weather. In the container it can get warmer quicker in south facing exposure and they then kill over if cold enough. Then if they do happen to survive the exposure to the cold it can cause plants to be stunted. They sprout so fast (3-5 days)so I wait until 1st week of May on those. I started corn and Basil 1st week of May also with germination within 7 days on the corn and 3 days on the basil.

Your slits need to be much wider than the width of the knife! The air has to circulate, the container needs to be able to "breath". You need to actually make holes in both the top and bottom, otherwise the seed will rot, and the soil will grow mold.

Since they are already sown, maybe you can cut the bottom corners of the containers off? Really make some good holes on the tops too.

Editor,
I am so happy to see your great start. Remember to post your container count on the official thread.

It truly is addicting, and seeing you excitement brings back memories of my first season. I am very happy for you.

I really hate to do this, and I REALLY hope my suspicions are wrong, but I have to ask you something about those lovely containers. Do they say anywhere on them, in tiny print, that they are made of corn?

I bought organic greens at Sam's last year and was really excited about the container. It turns out it was made of corn (yeah, corn?) and melted into a shapeless mess when washed in hot water. I set them outside to see what would happen and the sun destroyed them. I really hope that's not the same thing you have, but if it is, better to find out now before the season gets too far along.

Hoping to be wrong,
Seedmama

Oh NO!

OK. It's OK. It'll be OK. (breathing)

Nancy. I'll try to put new holes in the already sowed containers. They've only been out there two days. Can I still have hope?

Seedmama. Ooooh, I hope not! The brand is Earthbound Organics and I don't see any tiny print saying that. For what it's worth, the containers are quite sturdy. I had a hard time poking holes, even after washing in hot water.

However, I have a container here (from who knows what -- cookies?) that I just washed and it felt how you described. Maybe I'll recycle that one.

Thanks for the help! I know the first year (or more) is for learning, but I'd like to avoid some pitfalls... especially since you're kind enough to lend your experiences.

Happy sowing to all!

Great job. I love those containers too, but I use mine to organize my daughter's barbies and polly pockets (and all that other tiny stuff girls accumulate). I don't know where in zone 7 you are, or your weather patterns, but I'm in north Texas (zone 7b/8a, depending on which chart you read). We tend to have unpredictable Januaries, warm Februaries, cold Marches and iffy Aprils. I have some stuff sprouting (after several 70 degree days) and then an ice storm and I lost some of my 4 o'clocks and others. I'd watch the stuff that likes it warm and that sprouts quickly like the marigolds and tomatoes (don't know about all of them). I'd guess you should have a place to protect them if they germinate and then it gets cold.

Good luck
Alison