Md, I often forget that many climates aren't like mine. Droughts are VERY rare, abundant rain is normal, soil rich. Plus I grow in my back yard, so easy access. Once they're in the ground no more transplanting or lugging around pots. The biggest worry around here is bud rot from too much rain once the buds plump up. Zone 7 on the ag map, long growing season. So for me, outdoor growing is actually easier on these old bones. When I grow indoors its sog, sm plants/pots are easier on arthritis with the labor. I may bitch about winter, but if we had no freezes, we be over run by insects & soil borne plant pathogens. So climate/area is the determining factor as to whether outdoor growing is easy, or really hard labor. Damned I got lucky!