We all start out the same, gently separating each jug into 10 or 12 small HOS and spacing them perfectly in their pre-arranged spot in the bed and watering them carefully before surrounding them with mulch, etc, etc, etc. But, by late June, were lucky if we bother to dig a hole in our desperation to empty another jug.

For the newbies, sprouts do better in the ground, so the sooner you can plant out, the better. Most recommend waiting until sprouts have their first or second set of true leaves, but many sprouts will do just fine in the ground as soon as the tops are off. The biggest reason to keep them in containers is to keep track of moisture and make sure they get watered. Some might also get stepped on or planted over if they're too small to be seen. We each need to judge for ourselves what is best given our personal style of gardening.

Anyway, just wanted to warn the newbies of the next step. It's a bit like getting pregnant. Everything is dreamy and exciting until the baby arrives. Then, it's like "No one told me it would be this hard!" LOL. Enjoy.

Martha

Kimber

I was looking at the Container Count spreadsheet a few days ago and noticed there's a bunch of people that have well over 100 containers. Most years, I have less than 20 and I still have trouble getting stuff in the ground. I have a few leftovers from last year still on my patio.
I'm in awe of those people that have found time to fill so many containers and even more amazed by the ones that get them planted.

For me, timing of planting out is tricky business. If they go in the ground too small, they get eaten my pill bugs. If I wait too long, it's so hot out that the little sprouts fry. There's a magic window in there somewhere, and sometimes I actually hit it.

Bonnie

For the plants that are very important to me, my method of planting out will be this... Tons of disposable cups with drainage holes drilled in them. I'll wait until seedlings have their second set of true leaves - first set if they're crowded - before transplanting to the cups. Then I'll carefully fish them out and place them in their new home. I'm not sure yet, but I might end up placing another cup with holes in it on top of that for a few days to conserve moisture and humidity in case I've stressed them. After that, I'll let them grow to decent size before planting out. I'm guessing this will help them survive the onslaught of slugs and heat. In the end, I suppose transplanting to a larger container makes it easier to overwinter the perennials should they never make it to the ground in time.

As for everything else, especially the densely sown poppies... Hunk o' seedlings method will be the way to go.

Where to plant them isn't much of an issue. If all goes well, they will have a new home at my sister's new home (LOL). Some flowers/herbs I'll leave for me.

Brad AKA Moonwolf

Brad, when we're expecting frost I throw a sheet over the containers so the frost can't get to the leaves. IIRC, that's what does the damage, not the cold.

My poppies are also outgrowing their containers. Have to check if they're cold hardy and can withstand being planted out this early. This is only my second year with them.

Caryl