I got overeager a few weeks ago when it felt like summer and bought annuals at the Union Square Greenmarket. Bought as much as I could carry for around $40, and dragging them home on the subway was less of a pain that I expected. I think I might have jumped the gun since it has gotten cool again...I can see about 10 terraces from mine, and I am the only one who has plants out already. Of course, there are lots of terraces that never have plants anyway (why pay for a terrace if you never use it? Go figure.)

So far, plants are holding up even with the cooler weather. Impatiens, geraniums, and wonderful fuschias are doing fine and blooming, begonias are not doing much.

Bleeding Hearts from last year have grown insanely big and it looks like the blooms are almost spent - do I cut them off? Also Lamiastrum has come back like mad and seems to be ready to make some sort of yellow flowers. I cannot find in in my plant books, so am waiting to see what happens. Coleus has not returned, which I am surprised about, but maybe it is too chilly still. Hydrangeas are not coming back, I guess, as the ones in Riverside Park have leaves and mine do not.

Seeds planted in mid-April (impatiens, basil, etc.) as an experiment are sprouting and I am crossing my fingers that they turn into actual bloomers.

Bought some new pots at the 23rd St. Home Depot - the selection was kind of lame and picked over, but not too expensive.

That is all, please let me know what you are growing!

Perennials that made it through the winter and seem to be doing well but not in bloom yet: peonies, crape myrtle, yarrow. Wisteria is going wild with growth, but no blooms yet (year 7) :(

I have a honeysuckle, morning glory and clematis going on one trellis; only the clematis is blooming.

I tried winter sowing for the first time, and have some sprouts, some seedlings, and some empty containers. It was a fun experiment.

I overwintered pelargonium and coleus cuttings; been hardening them off, planted the pellies yesterday, still babying the coleus yet.

I think we were lucky, got away with starting too early. If we make it thru this weekend's nor-easter remnants, we just might be ok :-)

I too look at all the empty patios around me, and empty terraces I see and shake my head.

My terrace is jam backed at this point. I have most of my seeds planted and up, and my tomatos are out suffering no ill effects. [Full Disclosure: I have a walled south-facing balcony/terrace which tends to retain heat, so I can plant things out earlier than others].

I have purchased a few annuals here and there for some immediate color but am doing a lot from seed. Cosmos, sunflowers, zinnias, stuff I had luck with in the past. I also have a clematis that started blooming this weekend. Daylilies and shasta daisy are up and green. I recently acquired a small grapevine that I want to train up my lattice. I have always loved the look of grapevines.

My digital camera is on the fritz but hope to post pictures soon!

MegNYC, I am not familiar with some of the plants you mentioned, (diascia, bacopa, nemesia, pelargonium). I will look them up, thanks for the ideas.

To MegNYC and AllieNYC, This is a little uncomfortable to ask (I do not want to seem like a sketchy internet weirdo!), but would either of you be interested in exchanging seedlings/cuttings or going to look at plants/exchange advice. I hate to trash the seedlings that seem to be doing fine, and I would love to have some climbing vines (if it is possible to take cuttings?) or hosta cuttings as not sure if mine are making it (still sprout-ish). My main sources of plant advice are in warmer climates (NYC friends sadly not gardeners). Though I am excited to get cuttings from my sister in VA...hoping for beautiful hydrangeas!

Let me know if you are interested, email is sshaffer1@rr.nyc.com.

Best,
SS