When to plant zinnia, snapdragon, and marigold seedlings?

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tgraham Gresham, OR Apr 18, 2009

Hi. I am new at Dave's and love this site.

I posted this question in the Pacific Northwest forum but I think I probably should have posted here.

I'm in Zone 8. Is it too early to plant the above seedlings (and tuberous begonias)? Our average last frost is 4-15. I have row covers to place over the seedlings. Is it still too early?

Thanks. Theresa

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Apr 18, 2009

If you're past your last frost date it's generally safe, doesn't hurt to have the row covers handy just in case though. If you have had them indoors up til this point though you need to harden them off before you plant them--you'll need to get them used to outdoor temperatures and outdoor light levels.

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Jaywhacker Kerrville, TX Apr 18, 2009

Zinnia and marigold are almost bullet proof.......but not frost proof. You can sow them direct. You can play Russian Roulet with the frost. Plant just a few seeds today and a few more about 3 days from now and just keep doing that. Germination will vary depending on how warm your soil is and how much sun you get but the point is you will have some trying to grow as early as they can. You will not have wasted all your seed in a one time planting. Frost may get some of them.......or it might not. Covering them stands a real good chance of protecting them this time of year.

I haven't grown snapdragon from seed but buy some of the smaller variety from the nurseries each year because the deer dont eat them and I plant them in my unprotected flower beds. For me here in central Texas, zone 8, they are pretty cold hardy, blooming early in the spring, pausing in the high heat of summer and coming back strong in autumn and lasting well into the winter months. I dont know about the larger taller snapdragons.

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tgraham Gresham, OR Apr 18, 2009

Thank you so much for your replies! I will harden them off first (forgot about that!) and then wait a little longer on the zinnias than the others. Can't wait to spend the weekend out doors. We are going to have a few days of sunshine and temp's in the 70's!!! It's been nonstop rain and cold (temps in 40-50's) since early november. Uggh. Our last average frost is april 15, Zone 8.

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