If spring comes later in your area I would definitely start growing inside to cut some time. Be aware, it climbs a lot, so controlling the height is wise, so you don't end up with loofah out of your reach. I live in warm Adriatic so I can start planting very early, February/March speaking. But some tropical plants need more warm months to develope fruit, so sometimes I start indoor, just in case our summer finishes early(Sept/Oct),to give them that amount of warm temp.That's great advice, thanks! Advice around here is no outside planting until all the snow is gone from a specific mountain peak in the area. We are still getting some nights below freezing, although we might be turning the corner this very week. Maybe I need to find a spot inside for some starters?