Here's what I do:

1) Prune them down to mere stems, less than 8 inches tall.

2) Dig them up with as large a root-ball as I can. Even if they're in containers, take them out, wash the old soil off, and prune the roots.

3) Re-pot in a smaller container full of fresh soil mix. The combination of a fast-draining soil mix and a smaller container will help to ensure that the roots are aerated during the gloomy winter. A smaller container sits better on a window-sill, as well.

4) I re-pot in November, which allows the plants to begin growing leaves with the last of the autumn warmth. Begin fertilizing lightly (1/4 strength) after about two weeks.

5) Give your plants as much light as you can. I put mine near an eastern window, and I drag them outside when the weather is fair (temp over 55°F). Others invest in a quality winter-lighting rig. The more light, the better results.

My mix is screened Orchid Bark, Perlite, and volcanic Pumice in roughly equal parts. I add the recommended amount of Osmocote 4-month release to the mix. These Threads ought to explain the process in detail:

Hungarian hot wax - second wintering (pics)

Thai Hybrid overwintering (pics)

Josh

desertdigger - I'm far from an expert but I am familiar with the weather in LV. If it were me I'd just build a simple frame around your raised bed and cover it with clear film that's used for hoop houses - etc. I would think that should protect them.

And BTW I totally agree with your assessment of the wind being brutal. I live and grow vegetables on my two acres in the Moapa Valley, (we're neighbors), and it seems as if the wind never stops. Actually I'm sick of it...

Greg
Nevada

Thanks, greenman and sandhill. I think I'm going to try both of these things and see what works best for me.

greenman, I read through both of those posts yesterday when I was researching overwintering. I never know how well practices translate over zones... I have plenty of lights inside from growing from seed, plus an abundance of windows.

sandhill, the wind is my nemesis! It's either freezing cold or hotter than hades and it has been the demise of many many of my plants and seedlings.

Thanks again for the help!

I'm not far from you and I think we have similar winter weather. The peppers I left out last winter did well and I didn't do anything to them, not even water them. This year I do think I am going to build the plastic coldframe and water them once or twice a month. I don't know if you have many frost days but we only had one or two light frosts here and that makes it easier here than most places.

greenman28, when you talk about orchid bark, I assume that is different than miracle gro's orchid mix, right? I don't think I've ever seen something called orchid bark in the stores. Maybe I'm not shopping at the right stores.

Hey, Chilehead, yeah it's different.
Orchid Bark is the pure (Fir) bark that you'd use to make an Orchid Mix.
You can probably find it, or inquire after it, anywhere orchids are sold.

I'll include a link to the stuff that I use, although it probably isn't available elsewhere...
Maybe this will be of use: Locate a Nursery

Josh

Here is a link that might be useful: Orchid Bark (Fine)

Hey, Chilehead, yeah it's different.
Orchid Bark is the pure (Fir) bark that you'd use to make an Orchid Mix.
You can probably find it, or inquire after it, anywhere orchids are sold.

I'll include a link to the stuff that I use, although it probably isn't available elsewhere...
Maybe this will be of use: Locate a Nursery

Josh

Here is a link that might be useful: Orchid Bark (Fine)

Desertdigger, bring em' inside till Feb., then repot and put back outside.

Search "overwintering" on this board.