Direct sow or start indoors?

I am unsure as to whether I will have more luck starting snapdragon seeds indoors or direct sowing...I am in zone 5, which has random frost up until May. I know, though, that snapdragons need a cool period, so would putting the seeds outside be the best bet? If so, how many weeks before the last frost date? Thanks!

Direct sow or start indoors?
Someone gave me snapdragon seeds one fall and since I always have self sown ones, even in zone 4, and I knew they needed a cold spell I decided to try sowing the seed in the fall. It worked out really well, plants seem to know best when it is safe to sprout and they emerged earlier than I ever would have planted seed in the spring. They seemed like they'd be tiny but by late June they had caught up with the nursery sets. The same is true for cosmos and allyssum. Also parsley and onion seed. Not that that helps you right now but I thought it was interesting. For this spring I would recommend sets, personally. Snapdragons can be a little temperamental when you start them inside which is how my experiment originally came about. I just didn't want the hassle.
Reply:If I remember, the last frost date for zone 5 is around May 15th. Annual flower growers have already started growing them in trays in greenhouses. I think your best bet is to start them inside. That way you'll have small plants to plant when you are past the freeze date.
Reply:Inside
Reply:I'm zone 4 and always start mine indoors and have had real good luck with them. I also have a neighbor who has beautiful snaps and she never seeds them, they were all self seeded that come up each year.
Reply:I like to do 1/2 and 1/2. Sometimes starting seeds indoors does not seem to work well for me and snapdragons are one of the plants that is "iffy" for me. So I put some seeds out and keep some seeds in and see what happens - if neither one is happy, I go to the nursery and buy a tray as a last resort.