How long can you keep them in containers?

16 years ago

I'm beginning to see sprouts and it is way to early to plant out. Our last frost date isn't until April 26th. How long can they stay in their containers?

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Comments (8)

lblack61
16 years ago
Ummm....ahem...I actually still have some last year sprouters in containers on my porch.
So I would say, as long as they look viable. I wouldn't let Lupine stay in a container that long-- I don't think it would last-- but in a milk jug, with 3-4 inches of dirt, it's amazing how long the plants will survive. Just keep watering them.
When it gets to the point where I am overwhelmed with the number of containers sprouting, I usually plant out by what is crowding out of the container the most.

Linda
morz8 - Washington Coast
16 years ago
Same here, depending on what it is and the depth of soil in the container. Slower perennials and shrubs - I plan for a long time in the sowing pot and always use 4-5" soil for those because sometimes I leave them A YEAR. And on purpose :) Linda, look at it that way, no guilt with on purpose.
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diggerdee zone 6 CT
16 years ago
"...but in a milk jug, with 3-4 inches of dirt, it's amazing how long the plants will survive..."

LOL, no kidding. I've got some columbines in a milk jug bottom out in the garage now that were sown in winter 2005-06. I guess you could say I procrastinate a bit when it comes to planting out...

:)
Dee
lblack61
16 years ago
Morz,
Yeah, yeah...that's right...I did it on purpose...lol

L
tiffy_z5_6_can
16 years ago
OK, should we form a club or something?? :O) I agree with you Dee that Columbines are tough little buggers. I have some of them too, and Oriental Poppies, and Hostas, and Astilbes...

I think it's called Procrastinitis.
diggerdee zone 6 CT
16 years ago
I've got an acute, chronic, and most likely fatal case of Procrastinitis. But then again, as my mother used to tell me, I'll be late to my own funeral, so maybe that's not such a bad thing, lol!

:)
Dee
gardenluv
16 years ago
Last year, I forgot to plant out my shasta daisys. The only thing that reminded me was the green sticking out the spout of the milk jug! When I finally took the top off, I swear the jug expanded like the plants were saying whew, I can breath! Some I planted out extremely small, and others like my daisys thrived even though they were in the jug for quite a while.
stage_rat
16 years ago
proudgm, there are some seedlings that are pretty frost-hardy. I don't know if a search will give that info easily, or if you might get better answers just listing what has sprouted already. Poppies can get planted out just about anytime.

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How long can you keep them in containers?

Comments (8)

lblack61

morz8 - Washington Coast

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diggerdee zone 6 CT

lblack61

tiffy_z5_6_can

diggerdee zone 6 CT

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