Ground Hog saw his shadow, so early spring. Yes, that might happen but still have to watch when it comes to planting. Last frost date is important.

image from thewowstyle.com. 

I will only say it is Feb 2, Groundhog Day and he did see his shadow, so you are seeing lots of posts on an early spring.  All I am going to say is we all are wishing for an early spring.  It would be a good time to get the gardens ready to plant.  2 things we need to remember.  We still need to get through March and Early April. We could get lots of cold and snow, but it will not last long.   In all my 35 years of doing the greenhouse, we have had that killing frost around and on May 15th more times than we haven’t.    For planting early, you must remember if you plant early have the plants ready to move in.  I have found out that covering doesn’t start the frost from getting the plants when it is a killing frost which is at 32 or lower.  The plants are also very tender, so they need to have some attention taken for that. 

You can start plants from seeds which is very fun and rewarding to do.  Again, the first rule of thumb is when is the last frost and count back from that.  You don’t want to start them too soon. Enjoy and stay safe. 
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A Guide to Planting Annuals, and Bulbs by Robin  Sweetser
When do you plant flowers in the garden? It depends! Is it a perennial flower, annual flower, or bulb? Is it frost-sensitive or not? As with vegetables, there’s a right and a wrong time to plant your beloved blooms. Here’s when to start seeds and when to transplant young plants outdoors.
Different plants need a different amount of lead time before they are ready to transplant into the garden. Starting too soon can result in a weak, lanky plant while starting too late can give you one that is just not ready for the outside world—both will struggle to survive! Here’s what you should take into consideration before planting.
Know Your Frost Date
Before you even think of starting seeds, you must know your area’s spring (and fall) frost dates. Planting schedules like the one below or our Vegetable Planting Calendar rely on frost dates to determine when it’s safest to ultimately plant outdoors since young plants are more susceptible to freezing.
Start Seeds in the Spring
Annual Flowers
Annuals are plants that sprout, grow, bloom, and go to seed all in one season and only for one season. When winter comes, the plant dies, relying on its many seeds to germinate in the following spring. Because of this, most annual flowers are easy to grow from seed, taking about 6 to 8 weeks to grow to a transplantable size, though there are always exceptions to the rule. Some seeds may just take longer to germinate, and slower-growing annuals will need to be started earlier. (Be sure to read the backs of your seed packets for plant- and variety-specific recommendations!)
Since most annuals are frost tender, you’ll need to wait until after the last spring frost date to transplant them into your garden. Below, you’ll find a table listing common annuals, as well as when to start their seeds and when to plant them outdoors. Remember to harden plants off before setting them outside!
When to Start Annual Flower Seeds
Flower           Start Seeds Indoors (Weeks Before Last SPRING Frost Date)        Plant Outdoors
Allium            6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Ageratum     6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Alyssum        6-8 weeks     1-2 weeks before last frost
Aster  6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Bachelor Button     6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Calendula     6-8 weeks     1-2 weeks before last frost
Celosia           6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Coleus            8-10 weeks  1-2 weeks after last frost
Cosmos         6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Delphinium (annual)         6-8 weeks     1-2 weeks before last frost
Gomphrena 6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Impatiens     8-10 weeks  1-2 weeks after last frost
Marigolds     6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Morning Glory*      3-4 weeks     After last frost
Nicotiana      6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Petunia          8-10 weeks  On last frost date
Phlox (annual)         8-10 weeks  On last frost date
Salvia 6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Scabiosa        6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Snapdragon 8-10 weeks  On last frost date
Statice           6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Stock  8-10 weeks  On last frost date
Strawflower 6-8 weeks     On last frost date
Sunflower*  3-4 weeks     1-2 weeks after last frost
Verbena        8-10 weeks  On last frost date
Zinnia*          4-6 weeks     1-2 weeks after last frost
*These fast-growing annuals are often started outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
How Long Do Annuals Take to Grow?
3-6 Weeks
Speedy annuals such as morning glories and sunflowers may take only 3-4 weeks to reach a transplantable size. Zinnias only need a 4- to 6-week head start and can be transplanted outdoors after your last spring frost date. Alternatively, these fast-growing annuals can be directly sown in the garden after the danger of frost has passed.
Annuals that take 6-8 weeks to grow and can go out when the frost-free date arrives include:
Ageratum, asters, bachelor buttons, celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, marigolds, nicotiana, salvia, scabiosa, statice, and strawflowers.
Alyssum, calendula, and delphiniums also take about 6-8 weeks to grow, but these can go outside a little earlier: 1-2 weeks before the last frost.
These annuals are slower to germinate and take 8-10 weeks to reach a good size for the garden. They can go out on the frost-free date:
Petunias, phlox, snapdragons, stock, and verbena.
Coleus and impatiens also take 8-10 weeks but are a little more tender and need to be transplanted a week or two after the last frost date.
Spring and Summer Bulbs
Planting bulbs is another lovely way to add seasonal pops of color to your garden. We divide bulbs into two main categories: spring-flowering bulbs and summer-flowering bulbs.
Spring-flowering bulbs are those that bloom from early spring to early summer. Included in this category are flowers like tulips, crocuses, and daffodils.
Summer-flowering bulbs are those that bloom from early summer to early fall. Included in this category are flowers like gladiolus, dahlias, and cannas.
Generally speaking, spring-flowering bulbs should be planted in the fall (a few weeks before first frost), while summer-flowering bulbs should be planted in the spring (a few weeks after last frost). Why? In many cases, summer flowering bulbs are not hardy enough to survive winter outdoors, while spring flowering bulbs may actually need a period of colder weather to trigger their spring blooms. There are exceptions, of course! Hardy perennials that flower in the summer, like daylilies, can be planted in the spring or fall.
What Makes a Bulb a Bulb?
Not all “bulbs” are actually bulbs! A true bulb is a specific type of underground storage structure—think onions, tulips, and daffodils. Many popular “bulbs” are actually other types of structures, like corms (gladiolus), rhizomes (irises, daylilies), and tubers (dahlias). However, most gardeners simply refer to this entire category of plants as “bulbs” to make things a little easier!
Caring for Bulbs
Wait until spring-flowering bulbs have finished blooming and their foliage has died back before digging, dividing, or moving them around. Mark their locations with brightly-colored popsicle sticks so you can find them more easily in late summer or early fall, which is the time to divide and transplant. Read more about spring-flowering bulbs.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/when-plant-flowers
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365