We had -4F here near Santa Fe, NM back in December. We don't usually get the cold snaps the same time as either coasts, so the lowest we've been recently is around 12. As few would realize, being at the same latitude as the Carolinas, we average two nights below zero each winter, and a warm winter might mean one or two nights in the single digits. But then again, we usually clear freezing by midday, since our daytime/nighttime temperatures can span 30 or 40 degrees. Even though our low temps may be similar to places much farther north, winter here is vastly more pleasant, especially with a passive solar house! More often than not we don't even need supplemental heat! At least you can all take comfort from the fact that these temps are coming during the coldest time of the year, so it's not likely to get any colder, and the plants are quite dormant!

Patty, yes the wall is a great source of radiant heat, but wasn't enough to protect the Lisbon. The Improved Meyer will be the replacement in the future if needed. The staking works very well for strengthening the trunk. The trunk needs some movement to strengthen, like all tissues. Gardengirl, I believe my "yard guy" picked it up at Mesquite Valley Nursery. He knew the shape I wanted, but I forgot to ask him where he got it. Cannot believe I forgot to ask him. It took him a couple of weeks to find one of the shape wanted. Not in the area currently but will ask him next time I see him. I plan to keep the citrus pruned into a tree-shape with max height of about 10 feet with a single trunk, thus the reason for the shape of the one planted.

Ive ordered from both calimoya.com and cherimoya.com. both deliver great fruit. Cherimoya.com is less expensive and they use lemons in packing. They are having a sale right now $18 a box of about 5 lbs. Even though i have 3 cherimoyas ready to eat i am going to order some more for mothers day weekend

If your speaking of geothermal, take it slow and become informed. Do a google search with geothermal heat pump and go to one of several good geothermal blog sites. The rebates do not always make up for the added hasle these systems can bring. Because the popularity is expanding, there can be a vaccum of qualified installers. As with most systems, the installer is more important than the hardware. I have used geothermal for more than 35 years and can see why it is not appropriate for everyone and all situations. The hardware has made significant progress in the last five years but, there are lots of untrained slick talkers ready to take your money and run. I won't have anything but geothermal but, I am a DIY person that can deal with things the average person would puke over.