I am also new to southwest. Last year all my potted plants died in the winter. Since a greenhouse is not possible in my backyard, I researched for something effective to cover the plants with. I found a synthetic fabric called frost cover or frost fleece. I have been using that to cover all my potted plants in the backyard patio this winter and so far even the tropical climate plants are alive (even with temperature in 20s). We haven't had frost yet so I can not say how it will hold up with that.
I found this fabric in local nursery. Home depot and lowes do not carry this. Advantage over burlap is that when burlap gets wet in rain/water from sprinklers, it would be damaging to the plants. Frost/winter fleece breaths well, lets the sunshine in, does not damage plants in rain/water.
If you can not find it in your local nursery you will find it over the internet.

Thanks dew80!

Thanks for explaining the problems with burlap. We might've gotten that instead because of the price difference, but now I know better.

We've been to the nursery and bought a bunch of the frost fabric and so far, so good, I think. Though a few of the plants that were damaged smell sort of "bad" under it, and they still might die - The ones that weren't too damaged might live now.

We've had one other really cold night (but not down to a mere 10 degrees!), and none of the plants look worse for it.

Hope your plants do well during a freeze. With this fabric they really might :)

Take care,

C.

we use that same type of frost cloth to cover the plants we deliver here in kansas. I work for a greenhouse and part of our job is to cover and uncover the plants for frost protection. but remember that it protects from frost but if it gets to cold you can get cell structure damage that could also cause your plants to die. the cloth doesn't protect from the cold so much. I would still recomend bring inside whatever you can if it gets to cold (if you are doing container gardening).