By Lynn Byczynski
Across much of the United States, gardeners have experienced an unusual runup to spring this year. Late snowstorms, unseasonal heat, wild temperature fluctuations…it’s been a little hard to know when to start the garden.
For most of us, the final frost is still four to eight weeks away, as the map below shows. That means you still have time to start summer flowers indoors, so that when your weather finally settles, you will be prepared with small, healthy plants that will grow quickly in the garden.
Â
The list below is of flowers that are easy to start inside. These are all summer annuals that will not tolerate frost and should be set out a week or two after the final frost. Those marked with an asterisk can also be direct seeded in the garden, if you prefer to wait. For more information on all the flowers we sell, please read our Growing Guide to Flowers.Â
6-8 weeks before your last frost:
Ageratum
Alyssum
Aster
Calendula*
Celosia*
Gomphrena
Scabiosa
Statice
Â
4 -6 weeks before your last frost:
Cosmos*
Marigold*
Sunflower*
Zinnia*