Fall-Winter is my favorite time to garden! The hot weather here in the Central Valley, California, makes me very sick (heat/sun stroke, losing my pigments, sunburned very easily). I measured the temperature in my garden this morning about 6:40 a.m., between 27-31 Degrees F. Our roommate's car at 7:15 a.m. still has solid ice all over the entire car! I'm amazed that all of my Tomato plants (Pear and Cherry) are still looking healthy, with no signs of stress. My Tomato plants have always died before when the temperature drops below freezing. Maybe they are acclimatizing to the cold weather ..... Looks like all of my seedlings are enduring this chilling weather. I have over 100 different kinds of plants growing now, including summer plants: Tomatoes, Eggplants > Thai, Peppers, Basil, Zinnias, California Poppies, Morning Glories, Four O'clocks, and more ... Now, if only the gophers will leave me something to eat this Winter .... Stray cat's nearly destroyed my most recent seed bed. Picked fresh Southern Curled Mustard and Red Giant Mustard and Chinese Cabbage to add to my sandwich yesterday! Looking forward to fresh Lettuce, Beet Greens, Collard Greens, Kale, Kohlrabi Greens, Swiss Chard, Radish Greens, Stinging Nettle, Dandelions which should be ready soon ..... -- Jim (Central Valley, California) > Climate Zone #8/14 > Hardiness Zones #8-9a

Oh I forgot to say what the weather is like here, thank you for mentioning that. This coming week is unusual warm weather here actually, in Vancouver, WA (near Portland OR) because it was raining for a while and now it will be sunny, in the 60s during the day and high 40s low 50s at night. The vines were overflowing the box and I cut some of them like two weeks ago, so I wouldn't step on them or run over them with the lawn mower. I hope that didn't make the leaves and vines shrivel up. I thought it was from the cool weather and constant rain that has been going on recently. I guess that is true that if there are no leaves, then heat won't help. Thank you Itilton and fruitnut for all your advice. I might have to cut my losses this time around, but I will try your stem advice too Itilton.

An unheated polyethylene covered hoophouse, with heavy snow, would probably not be able to withstand the load. A cold-frame built from glass windows would have a better chance. However, with either structure, if unheated, the inside temperature will be very close to the outside temperature a few hours after sunset in the winter. Few vegetable plants can withstand sub-freezing temperatures for very long. A small heater, either electric or propane, can provide enough heat to keep the snow melting on the roof, and the inside temperatures above freezing.

Thank you Kms2 and Jandey! I got plenty of sheets so I just need to get some clothes pins or clips. We're looking at a few nights in the low 40's. It has been raining on and off all day today and barely reaching 60s. So this AM I have moved all my babies (new rooted plants) inside where they will remain through this cold/wet spell. The medium sized plants are safely stored inside the two storage units on the balconies. All I have left are the larger 5-7 Gal plants... and they are all huddled under the covered portion of the balcony. I will cover them w/ a blanket... wish I had some xmas lights to warm them up though. But everything is in storage. Fingers crossed that it doesn't dip below 40!