Question
We live in the Northeast, Rhode Island specifically.  I have seeds for several plants.  When should I sow them outside?
The seeds are for black eyed Susans, chleome, morning glory, hollyhocks, moon flower vine, and purple cone flowers.


Answer
Hi Angela,
Thanx for your question.  I visited Rhode Island for the first time in my life back in 2000.  You have a  pretty decent climate compared to ours here in Kansas City as you don't have the hot, windy, blistering, 100+ degree summers or the below zero winters that we can often have.  So...you have a lot more opportunities to grow a lot of different kinds of plants.  

The seeds you mentioned should not be a problem for you at all.  Remember, if you sow seeds outside, make sure you clear the ground clean and keep it clean from weeds while the seeds are germinating.  

Black-eyed Susans are perennial and will germinate after the last frost.  Cleome will germinate after the last frost.  Hollyhocks will germinate during cool periods with light frosts.  Moon flower vine seeds are best soaked for 24 hours in warm water and then planted outdoors after the last frost when the soil temperature is about 60 degrees.  Moonflower is actually a perennial relative of the morning glory family and comes from tropical America (Mexico and Central America).  Purple coneflower seeds will germinate in cool temperatures as long as you don't have severe frosts.  Remember that perennial plants (except for the Moon flower vine) will generally not bloom the first year planted from seed (Purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan).  Moonflower vine requires warm soil and warm temperatures to bloom.  In many of the cooler areas of the US like New England, the moonflower vine may not bloom until August or early September.  I hope this helps.
Tom