I moved all 150 pots outside Saturday and they got a good soaking. Many of them are leafing out and quiet a few have brebas on them. They are forecasting mid-upper thirties tonight  but it should be cloudy and windy so no frost. Then we are going back to the upper 60's and low 70's for the next week with lows in the mid 40's to low 50's.

So what do you think the affects on the new leaves and brebas will be if left outside uncovered?

What about a large tarp over them in a tee-pee form and weighted to the ground at the bottom?

Hate to lose anything at this point.

What if they are wrong and it is low to mid 30s?  New growth is no where near as hardy as established growth. What about windchill? New growth could easily get wind burn, and dehydration from cold, dry wind.

I'm keeping everything inside and not planting any veggies until April 10th, 10 days before Good Friday, and then only if the 10 day weather report is very favorable. Good Friday is the rule of thumb here in GA.

Heck I leave my new one gallons outside in 35 degree temps every year and they handle it no problem.  If a plant that just went from a cup to a pot can take 35 your big plants sure can.  Now day after day of that could be a problem but one night then warm back up the next day?  harmless.

32 is my line for 1 yr and older. new cuttings stay in till 45-50... depends on how i feel this yr.

Mike,

Jon makes a valid point.

Thanks everyone. Decision made. Most are coming back inside and the big boys will get covered with a tarp,

I want consistant 40F nights before my little ones stay out. Just no reason to risk all my hard work on one "oops, got a lot colder than they thought" kind of thing.

If the nightime lows are forecast to drop below 40 then the safe thing to do is bring them in.

Mike after seeing how you move the plants in and out of the garage it's hard to feel very sorry for you unless you have to unload and reload the truck.

Good thing; as the long term forecast goes here, I don't have to worry about the fig shuffle for another month yet...
 

Hey Goss, it is an extra vehicle most of the time so I can usually make it through the shuffle period without unloading them. I like
to up pot them on the tailgate then put them in there place for the summer and be done with it. So there is no need to feel sorry. LOL :)