I set my plants on the back porch, the first day or two close to the house. They get morning and very early afternoon sun - probably less than five hours a day. After no more than three days, they get moved out and get close to 10 hours before the house shades them. The first day or two I am concerned about the wind, but not after that. In fact, the only time I will bring them inside is if a frost is forecast. Heavy rains will not hurt them and neither will strong winds. Saturday, I was at a plant sale with some of them and the site was basically a wind tunnel. We had gusts in excess of 30-35 mph and it didn't faze them.

Mike

That doesn't really answer my question...

If they aren't getting 'X amount of days in a row" of sun, do they need to be put out and brought in for longer periods since they are getting artificial light for those "off" days.

They get more light on an overcast day outside than your lights put out. Every day you bring them in you are delaying the hardening and setting them back. Rain does not hurt the plants if it's not a downpour and they still get UV and more natural light than from your lights when it's raining.

OK, I'll try to type this slowly! Once they go outside, they do not need to be brought back in unless the weather suddenly decides to go ballistic and the temps drop into the low 30s. A downpour will not hurt them, wind that is not stupidly strong will not hurt them after a couple of days and bright, hot sunlight will not hurt them either, again after a couple of days.

Mike