Can you start seeds outside in pots?
In most cases, seeds can be winter-sown in containers 4 to 8 weeks before they’d normally be sown unprotected in the ground. Experiment with start times. The germination and cold-hardiness of seeds varies widely from species to species. Expect the seeds to take longer to germinate outside than inside. That’s typically when daytime temperatures remain in the 40s to 60s. In warm climates, you can generally plant all through winter provided you don’t have wet soil, says Hirvela. That means, late October is the deadline for USDA zones 5 and 6 (find your zone here) and possibly mid-October for USDA zones 3 and 4.In most U. S. November. Your average first frost date, soil temperature, and plant type all play a role in how long your planting window is.