Autoflowers is where i focus most of my attention. You sound like you are on the right path. You can have an early harvest ,around beginning of july or so. Here is what i do as far as auto's outdoors.The best time to do the Auto's outdoors is may and june.If you live in the USA. Try starting them indoors under some k6500 cfl's around the end of april.After about 2-3 weeks or when you feel they are ready Place them outside .I wait till they show sex, then transplant in bigger containers then put them outside. Try to give them as much sunlight as possiable. Like you mentioned you can then bring them in at dark and put them under some lighting.CFL would be fine or hps. If i do five plants outdoors i bring them in at night and give them 150 watt hps then 4 hours of darkness till sunrise.The strain of auto means alot when growing outdoors.Some do better then others, but for the most part if you are gonna bring them in at night and they get 20 hours of light. Most auto's should do fine. Now if you wanna leave them out . then i suggest going with a bigger strain of auto, such as grass o matic maxi gom or royal queen northern light auto, or ak auto. seedmans seeds great white shark auto .Maybe somthing in the critical line. Or sweet seeds big devil. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.