I couldn't resist the bareroot peony at Wal-Mart this morning. It's now in the (cool) basement and I plan to pot it up this weekend (at which point I can presumably put it outdoors on the porch or patio?) and care for it through the summer.

That said, when is the best time in fall to plant if into my actual garden? Last year we had 70 degree temps as we left for a vacation in the first week of November, and when we returned a week later, there was a blizzard and the ground was frozen. How does one tell when the peony is ready to move from its pot of safety to the garden itself?

Thanks!