when safe to move to just sunlight?

I know there is a thread I just read that is similar to this, but, I have many, many flat under lights right now - I am planning on more than I did last year and added another shelf that holds 8 more flats. I'm running out of room in my furnace room where I start my plants. In the past I have brought them upstairs and put them in front of the patio windows..seemed to work fine, but is there a certain time when you know that sunlight is going to be enough-strong enough for the plants rather than a few inches under lights? Greenhouse gardeners?

"...but is there a certain time when you know that sunlight is going to be enough-strong enough for the plants rather than a few inches under lights? "

I would like to answer your question but I'm not sure what it is you want to know. I am an ex greenhouse gardener.

when is the sun strong enough - out long enough - to have plants in teh greenhouse rather than under lights?

Now, I move all my stuff that I started indoors, as soon as they germinate into the greenhouse. The days are well over 12 hours of sunlight, so it is better than 16 hours under lights per day. The cooler temp germinators are started in the greenhouse (pansies, annual phlox, cerinthe, annual hibiscus etc).

This message was edited Mar 22, 2009 7:09 AM

NDFarmgirl,

I moved my little tomatoes out to the greenhouse last week. They were just forming the 2nd set of leaves. Since I had too many tray under the lights & had them arranged side-by-side, the seedlings at each edge were stretching for the light. In the greenhouse they are straight up and have fully formed the true leaves. Definitely much better in the greenhouse with natural sunlight. Do you have a greenhouse or were you planning to put them near your large window? Out of desperation, a few years ago before I bought a greenhouse, I converted the kid's swingset into a greenhouse with heavy vapor plastic and landscape ties to hold the plastic down. I used a little propane tent heater for the cold nights. It worked great and the greenhouse became a fort for the kid for a few weeks.

NDFarmgirl

Now I got it! Ok, natural sunshine---no matter what the season---is always stronger than artifcial light and better for plant growth. However, that is referring to moving plants into a greenhouse. Window light, even if it is sunny, is not long enough for good plant growth.
I agree with the postings above so follow their advise..

We have enough natural light in the outside after March 1st here so you should be good too NDfarmgirl.