I have handeled early Spring in two ways:
1. take the plants out of Dormancy on February 15..leave them inside until night-time lows are above freezing on a regular basis..usually Mid-April, then put them outdoors for the season.
Problem with that method..plants are indoors for 2 months without enough light..(sitting in front of a window isnt nearly enough light) growth is weak and spindly, then burns when put in the sun outdoors.
2. A method I tried this spring..put the plants outside when days are above freezing..in March..bring them in if its going to frost or freeze overnight..
positive - plants get good light through March..
negative - its a major hassle to carry them in and out for a month to 6 weeks..especially with my three heavy minibogs..
So for next spring, im going to try a third method:
3. build a wagon!
some kind of wooden platform, perhaps with a traditional "red wagon" as the base..
all my plants can fit on the platform..then I can wheel them out on the driveway when I leave for work in the morning, then wheel them back into the garage at night..no heavy lifting required.
around here (Western NY) the entire month of March and into Mid-April is generally abive freezing during the day, btu below freezing at night..
I dont leave my plants outside day&night until nights are consistently above freezing..as I said, generally mid-April most years.
Scot
