Hardening off without losing a week
Ten to fourteen days of gradually increasing outdoor exposure turns a fragile indoor seedling into a plant that can take full sun without bleaching.
The schedule
Start with an hour of dappled, indirect light on day one. Add roughly an hour a day, moving toward direct sun over the second week. By day ten to fourteen the plant should be able to sit outside in full conditions all day.
Watch the nights, not just the days
Daytime temperatures recover fast from a bad call. A surprise cold night doesn't. Check the overnight low every evening during this window, not just the 10-day forecast. A clear night can run several degrees colder than predicted.
Signs you moved too fast
Bleached or crispy leaf edges mean too much direct sun, too soon. Purpling stems can mean cold stress. Both are recoverable, but they cost you growing time you don't get back in a short season.