"Leslie" wrote ...
This is the first year I've started seeds indoor and mostly they're doing
well. I would like to start hardening them off soon since the weather is
so
nice and looks like it will stay that way. Even though I'm in zone 5, it's
been getting down to only about 40 at night and in the day it's been
averaging a high of 68-75. This week is expected to get to 80. In another
thread someone said definitely don't start hardening off in zone 5 yet,
but
with these temperatures is there any reason not to? Maybe I'm just too
excited to get these little guys outside! :-)

TIA,
Leslie, zone 5 in the deserts of Eastern WA


HI Leslie,

"Zone 5" only describes annual minimum/maximum temps, it doesn't accurately
describe what the weather is doing RIGHT NOW. I'm in Zone 5, but in
Western Maine, my overnights are still dipping into 20's and daytimes in
high 40's. I haven't even STARTED seeds yet!!!!

If I had the weather conditions you describe, I would be "hardening off",
but probably not leaving things out overnight.

There is no reason you shouldn't TRY using your own good judgment.

Sue
Western Maine
definitely 'frosty'