Is it too early to start containers in zone 6?

I'm really anxious to get my containers started but don't want a last minute frost killing the tender annuals. When do you start yours?

Joanne

Joanne the beauty of containers is that they're portable! I'm trying to hold off on any direct planting but I started my containers a couple of weeks ago. If the folks in the know call for a late frost I'll tote them inside or into the garage, but in the meantime they're outside getting all the sunshine and rain water they need to make them grow big and strong.

LOL that kind of sounded like an add for milk or kid's vitamins.

Good point. I think I'll start the containers that are light enough to lug into the garage if needed. The really big ones will just have to wait another week or two. Thanks!

Joanne

Gee, I have started mine. I am just waiting for the plants in them to get big enough to bloom. (Started from seed) If you go to weather.com you can see the 10 day forecast - that will get you to May 16th. If you are not in the mountains, you should be fine.

I will admit that I only have my composite and fiberglass pots out -- the ceramic and terra cotta ones (that are too heavy to haul in and out at night) are still in the basement.

Right now nothing look like anything...slow cold spring!

Suzy

For me, I see a big overlap between container gardening and winter sowing! I direct sowed hardier annuals into the containers I expect them to stay in. (Cosmos, zinnia, California poppies) and transplanted wintersown seedlings into containers (Candytuft and basil, so far, sweet peas and lots of others to go). It's hard for me to completely separate the two. Although, I confess, I did purchase some pansies at Home Depot, and pedigreed coleus and other annuals I can't quite remember from eBay that I won't see at Home Depot. (Run-on sentence)

This is my 2nd year winter sowing but my first doing annuals for my containers. I direct sowed what I could as well and have the rest waiting in jugs. I only plan to purchase a few things that can't be WSed like potato vine and purple fountain grass. This is much more exciting when you aren't spending hundreds of dollars at the nurseries!

Joanne