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overwintering
I have always overwintered my hardy bonsai (15 or so)outside, sinking them in the ground (with or without pot)and mulching. This has worked well, although I did lose a young stewartia one year. However, last year I seemed to get more rabbit damage and am considering overwintering in my unheated garage, which I've never done before. Does this work OK? Is rise in temperature alone enough to break dormancy if there's hardly any light? What about junipers and pines? I'm in the urban Columbus area. Thanks so much for any comments.
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Yes, overwintering in your garage is ok. Many people do it.
The temperature alone is enough to break dormancy.
I overwinter my trees in my detached, unheated, uninsulated garage.
The temperature inside got down to ~20F for a few days last winter and every one of my trees survived. Some people say not to sit your trees directly on the concrete, but I don't think it matters much.
Some advantages of overwintering inside are:
1. There is no wind
2. There are no animals
3. It should never get too cold
Some disadvantages:
1. You have to water your trees (I only had to water twice last winter)
2. They do not get sunlight, which is debatable as to whether or not conifers and junipers need sunlight in winter (my experience says no)