I live in a similar San Diego climate and start my tomato seeds indoors in February. Too early and the plants just sit there until it warms up enough for them to thrive. I once had a tomato plant that survived through the winter. Some people start seeds now for a fall/winter crop but it has it be tomatoes that are early or can take the cold. I don't think the winter tomatoes taste as good as the same tomatoes picked in the summer.

I had a good laugh cuz I coveted someones plants once myself many years ago in my old neighborhorhood. In answer to #10, I don't know Polish, so can't help there. But I was wondering if this lady is out in her front yard every evening when you run by. If so, I would cultivate her by start waving, smiling, and saying something like "Hi", "Good evening!" or "I love your gardens", "Nice weather today", etc. And keep it up every time you see her. After you've done that enough stop for a rest in front of her house when she's outside and start talking to her. Even pointing at a brug and telling her how beautiful it (or all) is. She may understand nothing you say or understand more than you or others realize. If she's a really elderly lady, could she be living with one of her childen? Maybe you could stop by there on a weekend afternoon, knock on the door, and see. All you have to say when someone opens the door is that you stopped to tell them that they have lovely garden. I have yet to meet a gardener who didn't love talking about their gardens, and only two who didn't want to share even their weeds. If someone who speaks English is also living in the home, somewhere during the conversation ask if when they prune their brugs if they would be willing to part with some of the cuttings instead of putting them into the trash can. Offer a plant/plants/cuttings in trade. There was one older gentlemen (many moons ago) who never talked to anyone in the neighborhood, but had one of the loveliest front gardens I've ever seen. After many years of watching this absolutely beautiful front yard develope, change, and grow, I couldn't stand it any more. I took some home made cookies over and met him and his wife (didn't even know he had a wife all those years) and thanked him for 'sharing' his garden with me, even if he didn't know it and I only did it from the sidewalk. I could never describe their back gardens in a million words. There are very few things that have ever taken my breath away, and that was one of them. I can't tell you how many wonderful hours I spent in their back yard after that and how many times he would walk to my house and spend hours giving me tips and helping me with garden related stuff. As far as the brugs by your hot tub, how close would they be? Brugs can be incredibly messy plants. They can also become quite large so will the plant itself be in full sun all day? They would do best with morning sun and afternoon shade or dapple shade down there. I'm guessing at that as I live in a Zone 9 climate (up by Sacramento) and I have some brugs that get full sun and seem to do ok (Charles Grimadli and Frosty Pink). However, I do water 'em heavily twice each day during the hottest part of the summer. I got several brugs to add to my gardens from the link below. Due to the summer heat, I don't know if she ships right now. But the brugs and hibiscus that I've gotten from here (Seed Sprout) have all been in excellent health and huge sizes and the prices are very good. Hopefully someone from your area can give you a better idea about planting them down there. Jenna Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Sprout

I'm a bit south of Kathi - (above post). My usual seed starting routine is inside - with a fluorescent light under one of my pantry shelves. I start the seedlings in paper towels then plant in cups of potting mix - put under lights until a few inches tall - then move the box of cups outside in the shade still covered with plastic. When they have acclimated, they are then planted in the ground. As I use the cedar planter box - raised garden approach, this works well for me. However, recently this past summer - I let a few plants go to seed - lettuce, dill, celery, cilantro - and then "shook" the seed heads over the plantar box and allowed mother nature to take her course. I've never felt a need for a cold frame in zone 23/24 (S.D. area) but perhaps if you wanted to start some early tomatoes that way, you might get an early start. Last year, I planted some tomato seeds next to a south-facing wall (about mid-February or so), and had a few early ones, but the majority of them still waited until the usual months (warmer) to ripen satisfactorily. Just my 2 c's. Bejay

I am always on the lookout for free boxes such as you describe. They make wonderful plant containers which I keep on my deck. Tomatoes grown in high heat conditions thrive in the larger ones. I now grow all my tomato plants in styrofoam containers. I paint mine with black acrylic paint and then spray them with the various colored 'concrete-type' sprays available at box stores. When finished they look very expensive and hold up well to the elements. I found a very large styrofoam box last fall in which I have been growing a bumper crop of peas this winter. Shortly I will replant it with everbearing strawberries. I would encourage those living in hot areas to try styrofoam container garden as the plants thrive. Of course, you have to punch some drainage holes in them.