All I can tell you is my experience. Caladiums will survive in the ground here -- some years -- so the teeny bulbs left behind when I dug the big ones will sprout out when conditions are right. Usually that's when the nighttime temperatures hover around 60 degrees. Last year I started mine early in pots in the unheated (but well above freezing by March) toolshed. Guess what? They didn't grow any faster than the ones in the ground -- they just kind of sat there until it was 'time' to sprout. Here's what I would do: since they're already planted, I would leave them. If the soil gets dry, I would give them a small drink of water rather than a good soaking. As soon as you see little leaves begin to unfurl, step up the watering. They still can't go outside in the ground until the nights are warm. Nell

December 21st is the official starting date. Winter Solstice but getting prep can start as early as you want to.

Parsley and chives are very easy to grow. You don't have to start them inside, just direct sow them in the garden when temp are in 30s. They will know when to grow. Of course if someone wants then to grow early, then she/he can start them inside. I started my parsleys outside in cold frame and transplanted them in the garden when they had couple of true leaves. Now they can be used (outer leaves). With the chives I just dired sowed then in the garden and they are about ready to get their first cut, in oder to grow flat leaves.(flat chives). I have also direct sowed diils and chervils. They are growing too.I have also direct sowed basils. They germinated and are growing but very slowly. With thyme, sage, oregano, matrjorem, I just bought and planted established ones from nursery. I figure, I only need one plant of each. Why bother growing from seeds. Of course, when it gets warmer I cann throw few seeds in the ground and let them grow.

I start my tomato, pepper, eggplant seed in February. I also use WOWs with great success. If I had a big enough space to build a hoop house, I would do that, as I know some who have used them with great success. Yes, I would plant the tomatoes in deeper holes, but it sounds like that could be difficult for you. If the gravel is native gravel that's been there for centuries, well, I have neighbors who have been picking out rocks from their garden for over 40 years. At least, that's what they tell me. And they have a beautiful and productive garden. It might be a good idea to look into raised beds. Or you might remove the sod and gravel and try sheet composting in that space. Or leave it and try composting over it. Perhaps some layers of newspapers, then on top of that some leaves, followed by some grass clippings and food scraps. Let that sit for a season. Next year plant in it. I have a neighbor down the street who killed the grass in her front yard and then put compost and soil where she wanted to create garden space. Then she planted in it. I also plant warm weather crops in pots and even hanging baskets. Sometimes they get planted with flowers and can look quite beautiful. The neighbors have gotten used to me planting warm weather vegetables in the front yard. Not one peep. So far. Knock on wood. (Grin.) The white leaves have been addressed. I agree that the leaves were burned. Hardening off may take a week or more for me. It depends on the weather. If it rains like heck, then plants stay on the covered patio until the weather is better and the beds dry out. It gets a bit easier every year when it comes to drying out the beds. I try to add organic matter to the garden space every year to build soil and get better drainage. Some like planting green manure crops, but if I did that, I would never get to plant veggies. Best wishes and hope I have given you some helpful suggestions. Mary