It depends on which plants (some will tolerate no frost at all) and which Z8 you are in. This Z8 is 35F right now at dinner time and we have 2" snow predicted tomorrow morning. Do you know your last approximate average frost date? There has been light frost here May 1 more than one year. OK for a hardened off marigold, death to something like impatiens and at very least quite damaging to a tomato. And anything you have started indoors, even if a cold hardy perennial, will have to be gradually acclimated to the outdoors over a period of several days. For most plants started inside, it's too early/too risky to begin the process, but tell us which plants you are considering....

I will set them outside. How long can I leave them in the direct sun? Please don't! As sleepy said outdoors is fine but that doesn't mean direct sun. ;) Direct sun will kill seedlings unless they have been hardened off first and that is a several-days-long process (you'll want to research 'how to harden off plants'). Outside in shade or dappled light for 1-2 hours, gradually increasing the time is fine. Protect them from wind as it too can kill them. Also keep in mind that leggy plants isn't a spectrum problem - spectrum controls blooming and fruiting, not plant growth/height. It is an insufficient light problem so either more light or closer to the plants. Dave

I forgot to mention, I'm not using growing lights either. Since it is so warm where you are, you might try it and watch them closely for ten to fifteen minutes. And again in another fifteen to make sure they aren't getting burned. Also, you could try putting them in shade so the adjustment is gradual. Also, at night it is rather cold inside. At night it freezes enough to freeze the water in the horse water troughs. But since I'm in the high desert, the days are warm and sunny. Also, when I have them outside, I make sure to keep an eye on them so they don't dry out too much. Some of the seedlings haven't come up yet. I know some say to keep them in the dark, but that didn't seem to matter with the ones that have already appeared.

I am sooooo jealous Maidofshade! Your plants are georgous! You have a greenhouse...my little flourescent lights do not compare...not to mention I have plants in almost every window right now!! None of my seeds seem to be too unhappy or lanky! But....I am a bit worried about not having a coldframe and being 7.5 months prego and carrying all my seedlings outdoors daily to harden them off! None of my WS jugs are popping sprouts yet...my bachelor buttons wereup and then the last snow killed them.Huh! I will keep watching! I dug out my elephant ear bulb to check on it (inside in a pot) and it does have roots coming off the bottom now..so maybe it will sprout out the top soon!!! My green and habanero peppers are all only about 2" tall andjust getting their second leaves! Tomatoes ...well being I planted the generic CHERRY those are thick stems with4 sets of true leaves and about 4" tall. Rutgers are 2" tallwith 2 sets true leaves, and Beefsteak..the same. I was nutz and started cucumber (I did it last year too and it worked well!) they are 3" tall with 2 sets of true leaves. Eggplant is about the same. Basil and parsley are 6-8" tall and lively of course! The seedlings I am leary about: Trailing Lobelia-they are just barely above the soil and look stressed. Morning Glory...they are like 6-8" tall and ready to start climbing....Felicia is about 2" tall and bushy -do I thin these?.....Cleome...about 3" tall and just two leaves on each stem! Anyone grow these from seeds????? Any help would be great!