52 degrees and my seedlings are out for a "day in the sun"

It feels warmer, the soil is warm under my feet. Took my flats of seedlings out for a "day in the sun".

I know, small news for you southern folks - but this is really the first day of "pretend it's spring" that we've had. I know it won't last, but it gives my seedlings a nice warm day to enjoy outside.

Grrrr.. still 3C. at night and rainy here. They say Spring will arrive next week (which is what they said last week...)

Lucky you!!!

;)

Not to say it won't freeze tonight or tomorrow - I'll bring everything in before dark, but I'm pretending this is the equivalent to a weekend in Florida.

Lophophora, we were lucky to have 3 C during daytime here today, it will go under 0 for the night. It was cloudy all day. When sun shines it gets about 5 to 7 C in shade here, I hope it's sunny tomorrow? I really want rid of the dirty snow and ice. And I hope they will start cleaning the streets of all the chip/macadam.

Sandra - be careful with those seedlings. If they haven't been hardened yet off it won't take much sun to burn them. Watch out for wind too... it will zap all the moisture from the plants. You need to introduce them to the outdoors slowly and gradually give them a little more sun each day. I usually start my seedling out in the shade and move them to the sun on a cloudy day.

Seedlings coming from the house to the outside are very delicate.

here is operation sand storm......city start it when almost all snow has melt. it takes few days....they use all street cleaners which are in town.
they put warning in newspapers.......allmost the all center, if full of white dust.....and it`s not fun to be there then.......

Oh no!!! hope I didn't ruin everything (much of it I've been nurturing since January when I first cold sowed them).

I hope not too. I think you'll be able to see any damage after a day or so.

To make you feel better... I think we've all been there and done that! I know I've killed my share of seedlings by rushing them outside into the sun. Usually all that happens is a few leaves will be damaged and the plants will recover quickly enough.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I've bottom watered everything, the soil is damp, and everything is tucked back away.

This wasn't how I wanted to fix the predictament of: "too much stuff and not enough space" - I was hoping to get creative about how I used my space.

My biggest concern at this point is a couple of the amaranthus types that I got from Tom Clothier ("intense purple" and "cruentus") that are extremely leggy. Have kept them under the growing light, but they don't seem to get stronger.

Thanks for the warning - I was so excited about the first day of warmth that I jumped the gun.

Amen to "too much stuff and not enough space". I have added cold frames this spring to help with the 'overflow'. Plus any perennial that won't be blooming this year from seed hasn't been started yet. I do have the potential for at least 100 Verbascum olympicums. When they are ready, I will put many up for trade.

My 'overflow' problem has been having too many cuttings in the basement over the winter. Are they worth it? I can't tell til later in the season. The neighbors have been wondering why there are lights on in the basement. I don't tell them, as they wouldn't get it.

The thermometer said it was 60 degrees today, sure didn't feel like it as had a strong south wind all day. I brought one of my old cold frames to the area east of the greenhouse where I use them. Didn't put anything in tho. Have the zip fronted upright miniature gh ( for lack of better description) pretty near full of seedlings. it is in the passageway between the house and garage. An area about 10 by 14 feet, open on east side with sliding glass doors on west side. Ao quite protected. Still have seedlings to be transplanted and more seeds to plant. It will be cold tonight as wind died down. Predicted to mid twenties. Hope not any colder. Donna