Maybe, to be safe, plant half of them and if disaster strikes you'l still have some to start over. With the crazy weather we've been having, I'd be worried it's gonna get real cold all of a sudden.

I threw all mine out today...it's giving a good 7 days of nice weather..no freezing nights...but still..this is new england

I think if they are hardened off they will be fine. That said I am still going to put my peat pellet seedlings into peat pots before I put mine out. I have another month of running thing in and out every morning and evening.

Many thanks for your replies--I planted half of the seedlings this weekend; will wait-and-see what happens! I'll plant the other half in May.

Tonight's the big night for my young 'uns. They're all in planters or pots and spending the night outdoors for the very first time. I think they'll be fine tonight and tomorrow night though the weather is looking iffy for Wednesday and Thursday. I'll probably have to re-claim them. I hope my family doesn't get too used to having their eating alcove back. My seedlings include Hollyhock, Yarrow, Morning Glory, Sunflower, Zinnia, Osteospermum, Forget-me-not, Candytuft, Phlox, Tomato & Eggplant. I'll keep my fingers for all of us.

strangeangels,
You certainly have a nice selection of seedlings but with some of them in particular the morning glory, zinnia, tomato, sunflower, and I believe eggplant, you might be pushing them out of the nest a bit too soon. I can't tell what your planting zone is or where you live but it is fair to assume somewhere in New England, which in general goes by Memorial Day weekend as the last frost date for tender plants. You might suggest to the family that they eat outdoors while your babies continue to bask in the warmth of your eating alcove. kt

Hi Kt. Thanks for the input. We live on the North Shore, MA. I'm new to these parts and a newbie gardener. I'm sure you're right about my jumping the gun a bit. I intend to take most of them inside tomorrow. Everything's in containers. The only tough planter to move (because it's really heavy) contains Hollyhock and Yarrow. They did okay last night but I worry about the rains due for Wednesday and Thursday. So Memorial Day weekend should be the transfer date? Do you think there's anything in my lot that I permanently can plant sooner? The seedlings are:
Morning Glory (7-8" planted directly into planters and window boxes)
Zinnia (about 4" with 3-4 leaf pairs)
Dahlia (3")
Sunflower (6-7")
Osteospermum (3")
Tomato & Eggplant (2-3")
Assorted Candytuft, Allysum & Yarrow (4-5")
Assorted Herbs (2")

Best, Jo

Jo,
I have a lot to share with you just give me the night to try and organize my thoughts. In the mean time I am hoping that some of the smarty pants regulars might stop by and offer some of their "if only I knew then what I know now advise". kt

Thanks for thinking of me, kt. I took in the heavy Hollyhock planter tonight. 2 of 6 seedlings looked liltish for a couple of hours this afternoon. They sprang back but I didn't want to risk it. About half of my seedlings are on my rear deck tonight. It is currently 68 degrees and not windy. I think they'll be okay for tonight. Tomorrow the weather is changing so I'll take everything in. I think I may have another solution. My deck is screened-in. What if I tape clear plastic sheets onto the screens?

I'm sorry to be dripping with newbiness. I'm sure I've got many emabarrassing mistakes to make before I can communicate respectably with folks in these forums. I bought a few gardening books yesterday. Hopefully I'll get with the program to some small extent within this season. I planted literally tens of thousands of seeds. I planted many of them too thickly and watered them too much. I've got some very weak and spindly-looking pansies, poppies, foxgloves, pyrethrum and african daisies. But I do have high hopes for the other stuff. Best, Jo

First things first we need to determine your hardiness zone follow the link below and enter your zip code they will tell you what zone you are living in. This is very important information when it comes to selecting seeds or plants that you would like to return next year (perennials) you will want to check to tag to confirm that the plant is hardy in your zone. Then go to your members page here on Garden Web and enter your zone and state so others can offer you advise appropriate to your growing conditions.

I am going to suggest you begin by having your soil tested, now I know it sounds more like a complicated chore than fun but it will be one of your most important tools. You can accomplish this by following the link that Claire has posted on another thread that I will bump up to the top of the forum for you. Exactly how you collect your soil to test is explained in detail the cost is around seven dollars and UMass is amazingly quick with their response. The test results will tell you what type and how much fertilizer your flowers will need. You will also learn your soils PH is and again they may make recommendations for you to either raise or lower your PH, ie applying lime to acidic soil. They will also tell you if there are traces of lead in your soil which you will want to know in regards to your veggies and herbs.

I am also going to suggest you make certain that you have easy access to water for this garden. Believe me the thrill of gardening can quickly fade along with your plants if you dont have a convenient way of watering your garden. Work this out now not when your not under the gun of stressed and dying plants. Hmmm do I sound like I am talking from experience.

Morning Glory (7-8" planted directly into planters and window boxes) Â These are an annual (life cycle is one growing season they will not return next year) that in my experience really insist on warm soil so you may not have much growth till the dog days of summer but then watch out
Zinnia (about 4" with 3-4 leaf pairs)-Another annual that really wants warm soil be careful not to crowd these guys they will do best if they have lots of air circulation so they do not get powdery mildew.
Dahlia (3") ÂSome folks consider these annuals others will dig the tubers up in the fall and store in a cool dry spot and are replanted next spring.
Sunflower (6-7") This annual like itÂs name likes lots of sun and is happy with lots of organic fertilizer and water.
Osteospermum (3") Are tender perennials which means they will not survive in colder zones such as yours so it will not return next year. The African Daisy is a beautiful plant but I always had a hard time growing them. I wonder how well others on the forum have done with this plant?
Tomato & Eggplant (2-3") Tomatoes really want warm soil and are very sensitive to cooler temps. Keep on top of staking your plants I would strongly recommend that you donÂt waste your money on the puny tomato cages found at the box stores as the are way too small. Invest in some good wooden 6Â stakes.
Assorted Candytuft, - There are both annual and perennial varieties.
Allysum Is an annual that is happiest in full sun.
Yarrow (4-5") Is a perennial and will return next spring in your garden so keep this in mind when deciding where to plant it.
Assorted Herbs (2") some herbs are annual some are perennial
Hope this isn't all to over whelming. Oh I almost forgot the most important thing to do in the garden is not only to enjoy it but take tons of photos. I wish I had photos of my first garden there will never be anything else like it, much like your very first apartment. kt

Thanks so much, kt, for all the pearls. I'll certainly try to put your thoughtful input into practice. What is your garden like? -Jo