Will I regret it if I don't sit them outside for a week or two to harden off first?

Or would it be okay if I just go ahead and plant them in the garden?

I'm in the piedmont of North Carolina.

Thanks!

Young, pampered seedlings that were grown either indoors or in a greenhouse will need a period to adjust and acclimate to outdoor conditions, prior to planting in the garden. This transition period is called "hardening off". Hardening off gradually exposes the tender plants to wind, sun and rain and toughens them up by thickening the cuticle on the leaves so that the leaves lose less water. This helps prevent transplant shock; seedlings that languish, become stunted or die from sudden changes in temperature. Hardening off times depend on the type of plants you are growing and the temperature and temperature fluctuations. So be flexible when hardening off your seedlings and be prepared to whisk them indoors if there's a late freeze and snow.

1.Begin 7 - 10 days before your transplant date.

2.Place plants in a sheltered, shady spot outdoors. Under a tree or even on your back porch is fine. Leave them for 3-4 hours and gradually increase the time spent outside by 1-2 hours per day.

3.Bring plants back indoors each night.

4.After 2-3 days, move the plants from their shady spot into morning sun, return them to the shade in the afternoon.

5.After 7 days, the plants should be able to handle sun all day and stay out at night, if temperatures stay around 50 degrees F. Keep an eye out that the soil doesn't dry and bake the plants, if the weather is warm.

6.After 7 -10 days your plants are ready to transplant. Try to do so on a cloudy day and be sure to water well after planting.

After all your hard work and effort caring for your seedlings, it would be a shame to see them all shrivel and die from exposure.

Hope this helps!