I don't do annuals except for Tomatoes ..I am in SE MA zone 5 and have 38 jugs for tomatoes out now,,So I guess if I did do Annuals I would have them out side now also.

Here is a link that might be useful: My blog

dr. Liz, I would put them outside in two-weeks. It still gets very cold at night or you can put them out, but put a plastic covering or tarp over them at night (prevent from frost). I would wait at least another week for annuals.

I hope this helps.

I've just done my annuals.
It is true we could still have frost in NJ, but unlikely.
I don't sow that many, so if frost threatens, I cover with a row cover.

Hi Dr. Liz, I am planning to do my heat-loving annuals this weekend. This includes salvias, tomatoes, marigolds, etc. and basically anything that will get killed by a frost. I sow them in cups and line them up in plastic boxes or trays, and then place them along the foundation of the house on the south side (this is a fairly sunny spot, at least until the trees get their leaves).

It is a warmer micro-climate along the foundation of the house because the concrete stays warmer throughout the night. We might get a hard frost in the rest of the yard, but the seedlings along the foundation are okay.

Here's a pic from 2010:

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Dr. Liz, you can do your annuals anytime. My tomatoes have been out for a couple of weeks and have already sprouted. My zinnias went out a week ago. And even though we can still get frost, it won't affect the seeds. Even after they sprout, it's not that big a deal since they're pretty much protected in their jugs. And if you're worried, just throw a sheet over them to keep the frost off.

Caryl

Liz,
you're not winter sowing (or spring sowing now) if your jugs are indoors. Of course there's nothing wrong with growing things inside, if that's what you want to do, but that's not winter sowing. I agree with the above posters, put those jugs outside.

Nice to see you again, terrene!

We seem to be still in the grip of that polar vortex! It got really cold last week, so I brought in the tithonia, salvia, and zinnia and stuck them under a plant light for 2 days and nights. I put them back outside today, since it's warmed up.

I've been a little disappointed in the germination rate in some of the jugs--prairie dropseed and pycnanthemum haven't popped at all, and rue, allium cernuum, and tithonia have only a few sprouts per jug. Can I replant the rue? I know I can plant tithonia, of course. And how about the dropseed and pycnanthemum ? Should I buy plants of these guys? I guess I should sow thicker next time. :(
Liz

Liz,
It's still early in the season. Give the Rue and Prairie Dropseed some more time. Mine haven't sprouted yet, either. Some plants just take their time.

Martha