USDA zones are *specifically* how cold it gets in the winter (which is why they are not all that useful for summer gardening). That's all they are. They are "winter hardiness" zones. They are defined by average annual extreme minimum temperature. Mainly used to establish over-winter survivability of perennials, but can also be useful for establishing survivability of winter crops in general. Zone 10b is 35-40F Zone 10a is 30-35F Zone 9b is 25-30F So if you live in zone 10b or higher, on average, you won't encounter a freeze. Now, wind slightly above freezing combined with moist foliage can produce dew point temperatures that are lower than freezing. To the extent squash can't freeze, 10b and above is where you'd need to be in the winter. But squash just don't like cold weather in general.

Brian my buddy!! If I was there I would give you a big ole Christmas hug! Did I ever tell you how much you mean to me, my mother and many others? You do and I appreciate all you do here, your friendship and your kindness...You are the perfect example of the reason I keep coming back and what makes coming here enjoyable..I am so glad you never left and continue to share your prize winning trees and fruit. Please give Sugar a hug for me and much love from us here at my household. By the way, what great bunch looking of fruit! Are they worth getting even for me who can not eat acidic fruits? Are they sweet without the acidic content? I can actually eat Kishu maderines without any problems at all. By the way, it's -3 today on my thermometer and it's only going to get colder. Thank GOD for my thermometer alert that lets me know once the temps drop down to a certain temp down there remotely on my cell phone. I got beeped this a.m so I had to turn the second space heater on. It dropped to 50 degrees this morning in there. Hugs buddy Mike

IIRC you are in Connecticut? How much snow is on the ground when you intend to put the house on the market? If any more than a couple of inches, don't bother with any inground landscaping. It won't be seen and as others have mentioned, new owners will prefer to do their own. I would have some sort of container with color on the front porch or steps. Even cut just stems with berries and other greens.

Hell Yeah RD . I sold my 12 year old Skidoo Cheyenne Trapper last yr . Had a 503 Rotax fan cooled engine which was bullet proof . Great ice fishing sled . My Son talked me into a newer 2007 liquid cooled Polaris 700 RKS . More or less a Mountain / Trail riding sled . Both machines had 3- speed transmissions including reverse . However @ 65 yrs young really didn,t need a 700 cc unit , but the price was to good to turn down and the sled is pristine . More than enough snow early this yr . We had 2 feet by mid November , just prior to the Moose Hunt Season . Almost 3 feet on the flats currently with 30 degree f.this afternoon and around 18 Deg f. over night for the next week or so . Plowed 3 times this week for an hour or so each day . Life in the Great White North Bud ! :) .