Yes, we’re in California, but our fall and winter nights can be downright chilly. When nighttime temperatures drop below 32 degrees, some plants may be damaged. Protect frost-tender plants such as citrus, gardenia, bougainvillea, lantana, tropical hibiscus, cuphea and dwarf oleanders.

Frost tender plants that are in pots can be pulled back close to the house under an overhang. The south side of your house is the warmest, and the north side is the coldest. The west side is warmer than the east. House walls give off more heat than unheated garage walls, and fences give little protection at all.

The very best spot for tender plants would be under an overhang next to a large window or sliding glass door. Most of the heat lost from our houses escapes via the windows. This is bad news for our heating bills but good news for tender plants.

Frost falls almost straight down. This means that plants back under a solid overhang are protected. Boston ferns hung at the edge will often be burned on the outside but fine on the inside. The same will happen to jade plants that are not tucked in far enough. If you have no porches, putting the plants under a dense evergreen tree will often be enough.

Plants that are planted in the ground obviously cannot be moved. However, they can be covered with frost cloth or in an emergency, with a light weight sheet. Frost Protek Frost Covers are bags with drawstrings ideal for the protection of hanging baskets and container plants. Easy Gardener Plant and Seed Blankets (6’ x 20’) are ideal for the protection of row crops or hedges or for wrapping around larger plants. DeWitt N-Sulate (10’ x 12’) can be easily draped over larger shrubs and small trees. Be sure to remove the frost blankets during the daytime hours. If you prefer to use a spray, try Cloud Cover or Wilt Stop to help protect your plants from frosty nights. (Tender succulents can be protected with frost cloth, but dislike sprays.)

For longer term protection, build a frame and cover it with clear plastic. Depending on the size of the plant, tomato cages work well as frames. If the plant is particularly tender, get an extension cord and rig a light in the enclosure. (Christmas lights work great). Put it on a timer so it turns on every night without fail.

If your plants are frost-nipped in spite of your best intentions, don’t be in a rush to prune off the damage. Delay pruning until after threat of frost, mid to late March in our area; the damaged tops insulate the lower parts, improving your plants’ chances for a full recovery.

We are pleased to offer you a wonderful opportunity to own a Christopher Radko ornament. Three special ornaments, exceptionally priced at $16.99, are available while our supply lasts. Choose from "Bonanza Split", "Snow Fall Topper", or "Party Time Penny". The rest of Christopher Radko is exceptional too; be sure to look at all of our 2009 selections.

Peaches, apricots, and nectarines are all susceptible to peach leaf curl, an airborne fungal disease that thickens and stunts new shoots and causes new leaves to pucker and curl as they emerge in the spring. Leaf curl is only treatable when the plants are dormant, so winter is the time to act. The airborne fungus can reach any tree, and virtually all unsprayed peaches, nectarines and apricots fall prey to it eventually. Be sure to spray all such trees (including dwarf trees in containers) even if they have never shown symptoms of the disease before. Once the leaves have emerged, no cure will be effective until the following winter.

Last Week's Question: What does cornucopia mean?

Prize Winner: Vickie Smith has won a $10 Orchard Nursery gift certificate. Congratulations! Gift certificates are to be picked up within two weeks of winning. Winner must bring an ID to the nursery to claim the prize. Prize must be picked up in person. Employees are not eligible for this contest. Please stay tuned for another question next week!