fabaceae_native gave a good description on what you are up against. You cannot bring your peach inside because it does need the chill hours and it does need to rest. The roots are the most sensitive part of the tree. When I was planting my potted trees in October or November I was not able to get them all in the ground before the ground froze. We had a little warming spell and so I thought I could plant the rest that I had holes dug for but it was already too late. The roots had frozen and the next spring none of them showed any signs of life. Personally I would not suggest the lights either since it would produce too much heat and tell your tree to break dormancy. I don't thoroughly understand your situation as you say you cannot bury the pot in the ground. The only other alternative I can see would be to mound up a significant amount of dirt around the pot. I'm talking several feet wide. Then you would have to put something around the dirt to keep it from eroding during the snows. I think if I were in your shoes I would build a temporary structure out of cinder blocks then put the pot inside and then fill it with dirt. You will have to be aware that this situation would make a nice habitat for mice and voles so you may wish to wrap the trunk in hardware cloth. If you did this then you could also mound up leaves on top to add an extra layer of protection. Maybe someone else has some more insight that can chime in.

Lorri, you have an impressive array of roses. I'm in the process of planting a new rose garden this year as well, and share your excitement. I'm growing several of the roses on your list, but don't have much experience with them yet. I can tell you that Tradescant is an incredible color, true to the pictures so far, even in my 90F - 102F temps. The one rose I have plenty of experience with is Hot Cocoa. I've had it for years, and have not been impressed. Since the form is just blah to my eye, I purchased six of them based on color alone, and the color rarely presents as it should. I recently pulled and relegated them to a shady area in the dreaded "waiting room", and the color is much truer there, though still not the chocolaty hue it should be. If you ever want a beautiful rose with brown undertones, I suggest Chocolate Sundae. Rich oxblood to burgundy coloration; lovely cupped form. But not fragrant, and not a prolific bloomer for me. Anyway, to capture the intended color, you might want to try your Hot Cocoa in part shade. For fragrance I love Alnwick and Wollerton Old Hall. Alnwick epitomizes the word "pretty" -- it's like a powder pink ballerina's tutu. And the scent is a delicious raspberry. Wollerton is elegant and deeply cupped. Both have been blooming nonstop. I hesitate to recommend Alnwick for your climate, except that it's doing well in my hot and dry SO FAR. I have one in full sun, and another in part shade, and guess which is doing best? Both! (at least for now) -- let's see how it goes this summer when there is no relief between the hot spells. Evelyn is another one that's gotten tons of raves for beauty and fragrance in a hot, dry climate, and mine is blooming and looking very promising at this early stage. Best of luck! I hope your new roses surprise and thrill you the way mine have! I got great advice on this forum, and I'm sure you will too. Below is Tradescant. jannike

Hiya, Looks like you really have your work cut out for you. It might be really helpful to visit some established gardens in Vegas to learn more about what really works down there. I visited the Gardens at the Springs Preserve when I was at a Landscape Confrence 4 years ago, and have remained on their mailing list. I can't belive the scope of classes, tours and demonstartions they offer, it's absolutely wild! It is under 4 acres and is very walkable, and everything is well i.d'd Looks like it has been established at least 10-12 years, so you can see some nice, fairly mature specimens. I believe it is sponsored by the SNWA(S. Nevada Water Authority.) Reno needs to catch up I'm afraid; we have a botanical garden at Rancho San Rafael park, but its pretty feeble by comparison. Larger than its Vegas sibling, but less info is disseminated.Maybe things will change w/ the new director Bill Carlos who recently came aboard. Here is a link to the Gardens at the Springs Preserve: http://www.springspreserve.org/html/gardens_visitor_information.html I don't know what the topography + architecture is like at your parents new house (probably a stucco ranch, flat as a pancake?) but you might want to introduce some mounding with some rocks/boulders. Quite a few interesting gropundcover and perennial plants will enjoy growing in this type of situation, plus it makes it easier for your folks in that they don't have to bend + kneel so much. Also investigate container gardening (on a separate drip zone). I saw some really cool planters in Vegas, that thrived in a patio setting. Some were very elaborate and had ornamnetal grasses combined with different annuals that trailed out of the pots.Very luscious! Good luck in your gardening adventures down south! Here is a link that might be useful: Gradens @ Springs Preserve

I have grown melons here in Las Vegas. Below is a vegetable planting guide for the area that has melon planting times Here is a link that might be useful: Desert vegetable planting guide