record cold nights

downtown san diego had it's coldest night in years last night, with a low of 35. our outdoor thermometer got down to 33 - but the pan of water we left on the deck froze, so it must have been 32 there, right? regardless, it was the coldest night at our house since i moved in back in 2000. and it pays to cover your plants - parts left exposed were all shriveled this morning, while the rest of the plant was fine.

it's good to keep this in perspective though - growing up in upstate ny, most days in the winter didn't even get up to freezing.