Hi, This is my second season growing houseplants. After about half year of beginning growing, I had 45+ plants inside my small house following the "Bringing them inside" thread late last Fall. Now our area (Central Valley of CA) seems entering an (abnormally) early Spring weather pattern: mostly sunny and warm (hiLo: 65+ 45+). Wonder if it's time to bring some of my plants outside (small open patio) for spring grow? (and take back some indoor space) The plants I am considering: many succulents (mostly Aloes), Jasmine confed, Boston Fern (for out of dormancy?), and Jade plant. Go now or wait? Thanks for suggestion and advice.

My greenhouse is bursting at the seams so I feel your pain. But, I would wait. I can't tell you how many times I've planted garden plants, taken houseplants outside or potted up containers only to have to drag them back in or lose them to a late season freeze. It feels like spring here too but it's not. 80 degrees yesterday and high of 38 tomorrow. I'd hang in there for one more month.

I agree with BayouBeadery, Mother nature has been un-kind this year and I wouldnt trust her The temps here in NY are horrific

I would wait until there's no possibility of frost or cold temperatures. It will be in the 70s here one week, freezing the next! The end of March marks Spring; I'd say wait until at least the middle of March.

Planto

Thanks, Holly and Christine (for the warning), and my sympathy toward your experiencing unkind weather conditions especially Christine's late winter blasting (oh, how I wish you eastern folks dump a foot or two of your cold white powder on our mountain hills). I think I can wait for a little while at least until some fellow growers here @ ATP from our State/area sound their horns.

Thanks, Planto. Indeed I know it's still in late winter, yet mother Nature seems mad on our knowingly/unknowingly anti-nature behavior that she gives us surprise, change, and confusion. Guess the "NORM" we have known for long may no longer continue or even exist.

Jade plants can take our winter conditions here Fiat. I just leave them outdoors year round. I do not really see any rain forecast here in our area, both of our places are in that rain black hole, so succulents are enjoying the CAM exchange at night. Just check around for snails and slugs, they are getting desperate. Just keep the succulents dry, when it is cooler, there is enough moisture in the air for them.

As for other tropical plants, I will wait till end of March till mid April to be safe. We sometimes get the errant hail as the seasons transition from Winter to Spring.

Thanks, Tarev. Just as I thought to quickly move out 20+ big pots of succulents, there came the shady fog this morning! Got to put on hold a little bit...

Fog is not bad Fiat..that is good moisture for them, plus it is daytime, it quickly dries out. Rain on a cold night, that is dicey for the succulents, the roots then gets cold and soaking wet,..but we have no rain in sight, and as long as your media is properly draining, should be good. And even if it rains, it is not that strong when it reaches our area, basically just a drizzle, so they are still good for it. It is the snails and slugs that come out that worries me more.

Well, I thought the succulents would enjoy some warm sunlight these days for getting out of living under dark winter time so long. Foggy (half) day, no joy, no fun.

Ah, there is still light on the other half of the day, and at night if they are in a protected part but still outdoors, they should be okay, the stomates of succulent leaves are open, so they are more actively breathing at night. But caution as always, night time crawling time for those munchers...so observe how it goes.

Wow, three-time warning about s&s! Many thanks, guess a good use for the s&s poison I bought last year.

In. Out. In. Out. In. Out. My plants in the GH have told me they want OUT! Hahahaha They have had such a good life growing in the GH this winter, they want to stretch their branches and get out. I did pull the 8 or so big plants out of the garage. But back in they went during this last cold snap. There will be other cold snaps, too. My plants don't know that but I do!

Just be careful at first, even plants that like full sun can be burned after being inside for a while. Not usually fatal, but pretty darn fugly for a while if it does happen. Plants without leaves (that could just grow back) seem the most vulnerable. Others would probably have more info about this if needed. I've had plants for a long time, but just realized I love succulents too in the past few yrs. This discussion reminds me that I'm hoping to not repeat last springs' unbridled enthusiasm sunburn escapades. My excuse is that I was busy moving and not familiar with the light patterns here yet, but it could have been avoided if I'd been more attentive, put more effort into more gentle acclimation. (If you see any pics that I put up of an ugly leaf with a brown spot, that's sunburn!)

Thanks, Cheryl and Tiffany, for all good info on caring plants in and out. I am still waiting for the, hopefully, best time to move.

I live in zone 4 so it'll be late may early june before I can bring out my plants.

Plantsmylove, Thank you for letting us know.