I think the idea of sinking the pots would be less stress than planting them in the ground and digging them up in the spring. Much less trauma for the roots. Good luck. Carmellia

If it were a month from now, I would be more likely to consider putting them in pot and all, depending on the specific plant, of course. For the next week, I would have no compunction about planting them out. Be sure to give them adequate water (not too much now that temps are falling and evaporation is less) until the ground freezes. I remember I was watering one year on December 1st but I do believe that was the difference that helped my October-planted seedlings survive a winter that saw lots of winterkill across the Twin Cities.

Just mark or make a map of what's planted where so you can watch for it in the spring and not plant on top of it!

Helen - Last year I dug up an area (in Champlin) that my sisters named the baby bed and it too is located behind the garage in a corner protected by a 6 ft privacy fence on two sides. Last fall (into Oct) I planted a bunch of seedlings into the baby bed that I never got planted in the flower beds. Most everything survived so had lots of nice perennials to plant out this spring/summer. Some got rather big by June and looked like full grown gal size plants. My Kansas sister just asked last night if I have planted the baby bed yet and I have. I believe she's making plans too for what she might be getting from that bed next spring. I think it's nice to have a holding area to plant it until a perm home is created.

Sandy