Coleus are tender annuals, any frost will turn them to slime. If you can hold them inside for a while they would be safer. If not, be ready to run out and cover them if the weather turns cold again. I am in WI and it isnt supposed to get below 45 at night for the next week, but its still a little early to count on it staying like this.

I started fertilizing mine with 1/2 strength diluted fertilizer after their second set of true leaves.

Mine are pretty short and bushy so I haven't pinched them yet, but when they start getting taller, and its easy to pinch them, I will. Pinching will definitly make them bushier plants.

Its been a few years since I had coleus in my garden, but I remember them being pretty tough in regards to heat, (once they were established). I have to assume that you are concerned about later in the summer, as I dont think anyone in this country at zone 5 is suffering from drought right now. I think you are going to have to play that by ear. It will partly depend on your soil and how much sun you have them in.

how do you pinch a 2 inch plant.. or do you have 2 footers??? ... once in the garden and established.. i would pinch back like you would pinch back mums... for every terminal branched pinched ... 2 or 4 will trigger and grow .... you can make quite a large plant by the end of summer ... and all pinching can be rooted ...

late in summer. root some and pot.. to bring into the house to grow them over winter ... before the first frost ...

i would NEVER fertilize immediately prior to transplant ...

i would not consider them drought tolerant... i used to grow them with my hosta ... which means.. cool and dampish ...

i would go with a plan of at least a week or two after last predicted frost.. they have no sense of humor in regard to frost ... [which means it wouldnt hurt to use a diluted fert now, if you so wish]

ken

Awesome! Great points!

Another question. I bought seeds again yesterday. I know it's a bit late but if I start them next week, I should still be able to appreciate them around August right, I mean regarding their size?

Thanks! :)