Question
Hello. Last fall, I planted one of them
"twirly" seeds (they look like gold color comets)
in a pot, and it took. I kept it inside,
and watered it aparingly. It got to be about 1 foot tall.
Then in the spring, I replanted it,
and took it outdoors. It grew to about 2-1/2 feet
tall. It's maybe too big for the larger pot.

Q--is it getting too late in the season to
plant it into the ground? Getting cooler in Chicago area.

Any suggestions on this not-so-big or critical
"problem."

Thanks! Max/Chicago

Answer
Max,
Now is the perfect time to plant anything outside as long as the plant has been kept outside. The majority of trees and shrubs in the northern half of the country depend on the change of seasons to trigger a process called hardening off. This process prepares the buds for the winter. If you had moved it back inside, then I would say leave it inside for this winter and plant it next year. If it has been outside, then by all means plant it in a sheltered location, as far out of direct winds as possible, and give it a little fertilizer to enhance the root system and nutrient storage.