Geography

• Much of the Northeast falls into USDA plant hardiness zones 3 and 4. Most gardeners in this region will begin planting annuals sometime in the early spring, but depending on the type of annual, you may have to wait until late May or June once the danger of frost has passed.
  
  

Types

• Hardy annuals such as cool-weather vegetables like lettuce and many wildflowers can be planted very early since they can tolerate some frost. However, tender annuals such as tomatoes need to be protected from frost if you want them to survive. Many growers start seedlings indoors in the cold season until the temperatures are warm enough outside to plant them.
  
  

Time Frame

• Check with the National Climatic Data Center to find out the last frost date in your area. Before planting seeds, check the package for instructions. Some will tell you to wait until frost has passed before planting.