Can I move them out?

[secuono]

So...I burnt my willow whips, totally forgot to toss up something over the greenhouse so it's shaded....
Anyway...wondering if, now that there is a shade cloth up, could I put my little sprouts outside? How long do they need grow lights for, certain height of the plant or just until it's warm out?
Night temps are 55, but can go to 38F. Don't want to stick a heater in there because plastic is a horrible insulator and it'll be a massive waste. Or should I wait until it's warmer at night, if so, what temp?
Plants are tomatoes, carrots, eggplant and cucumbers. Half have an adult leaf growing, all are 2in tall or so. Going to try getting some fertilizer for them and see if that helps with getting them to move their butts and do something! I see on CL people have big plants for sale, clearly they started two months ago when I should of! Ugh...I wonder, with the cost of electricity, soil, ferts and heat, is it really worth starting my own or should I just cave and buy those 1.5ft tall ones instead...
Darn you wee little plant babies, grow!!

 

[lesa]

I think putting them outside will help them grow...Nothing quite mimics sunlight. You might want to have them on trays or boxes, so you can carry them inside if conditions get too cold at night. Good luck!

 

[Nyboy]

Secucno I have wondered the same thng with cost of eleclricity so high, and big box store selling cell packets so cheap.

 

[Ridgerunner]

We all have our own reasons for starting plants. Personally I just start things that I can't buy starts of, like certain tomato or pepper varieties. I'm considering starting some cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower this summer simply because I can't find starts for a fall crop. That depends on how well my spring crop does. I may not need a fall crop or have room for one in my freezer. Some people like to start everything they plant for their own reasons.

My worry about taking them outside so young is that it's pretty easy for them to dry out, especially if the starter pot they are in is pretty shallow. The wind can be as dangerous as the sun in drying them out, maybe even worse. If you can protect them from the wind and keep them from drying out, I think taking them outside is a good idea.

 

[secuono]

Looks like they did ok yesterday. Waiting for morning temps to go up a bit more before putting them back out. Watered with some fertilizer, too.

 

[secuono]

63F tonight...wonder if they can stay out...

 

[NwMtGardener]

That 63 degrees tonight sounds pretty good, secuono! I think i would leave them out overnight as long as you've given them some time to acclimatize, sounds like you have so you should be good to go!

 

[secuono]

Nope, one variety of tomato flopped over. They haven't perked back up...Rest didn't mind.
Now we're having freezing temps and I went ahead and repotted a bunch of them. Ran outta pots...They will be a huge chore to move in/out now...lol.

 

[lesa]

That is really the part that I dread, secuono. By the time I am ready to transplant my starts to the garden- I don't even like them anymore! In and out, in and out, and....

 

[secuono]

The floppy ones finally started to perk back up! Still need to find a ton of bigger pots to stick them into...