I've never started imps outside - I've always started them in the house - so I can't help you. But I do know that impatien seed need light to germinate - so you might NOT want to cover them with any mulch - but again there's that 'I haven't started them outside before' thing again. I'm also in zone 5, and I'm still getting a frost... I don't know how imp seed takes frost... May be someone else can address the ADDITIONAL questions I brought up! :)

tom8 is right they need light to germinate. Now you may get some seed to come up but it would more than likely those exposed to the light. I would think that frosts are fairly lite right now so I dont think the seed would have much of a problem. On the other hand your growing season is fairly short but dont despair if you dont like the germination you can buy plug of Impatiens and put them in.

I'm fairly new to this, so i have no clue what a plug is? i've bought impatiens that come in like 4 or 6 packs and planted those which is what i might end up having to do again, is that what a plug is?? Thanks

Yes that is what a plug is or a cell pack or starters they are all the same thing basically. Happy gardening and I'm sure you are off to a great start.

Thank you all for answering my questions :o) i pushed away some of the mulch that i put on the impatien seeds i planted and i saw a couple little seedlings trying to poke through the dirt, but i think the mulch is too heavy on top of it. So basically this is a lesson learned and won't do that again. Thanks again!