What zone are you in? In mine, I'd transplant directly to the final destination and protect them for a couple of days. All of these can also be direct seeded as well. I grow them in 5-7 gallon pots, for a number of reasons. You can just as easily grow them in smaller containers as long as you water and repot each year.

jan

This post was edited by jll0306 on Thu, Jun 13, 13 at 9:39

Thank you! I don't know what zone I'm in (probably the Twilight Zone) but I do live in a suburb of NYC.

My true USDA hardiness zone/growing zone is 8a. (I was suffering ZDD Zone Denial Disorder when I created my profile). This means i am transplant safe for 5 months, as we are far past my potential last frost date. You probably are, too, but a google search will tell you for sure.

But fresh transplants need also need to be protected from direct sun for a day or so.

Jan

Another thing to consider when patio growing is the 'heat sink' effect--how much extra hot may be coming from all the concrete, brick, etc?

I have a townhome with a small enclosed backyard. The homes are brick, and I can get away with planting my basil a month earlier in containers next to the brick wall than I can out in my garden area. But, then, I have to move them when the heat sets in.