At the moment, we are building a much larger new outdoor area ready for next Spring. 

We will plant lots of shrubs for shady areas and will stock it with edible weeds and flowers ready for when our tort goes back out. We are also putting in a cold frame with glass roof. 

I have a couple of questions....

Please could you tell me which shrubs and plants are suitable and safe to put in to provide shade/hiding areas? 

Also, I would like my tort to live outside as much as possible (although I have and will keep my large table with lamps indoors for getting him going in the spring if necessary) but I'm hoping to let him wind down himself outdoors next year and also allow him to dig himself down in the cold frame for hibernation.  We have dug down about 2 feet and put in a concrete base and then bricked up around the edges to ground level to sit the cold frame on, so I know that nothing can dig in to him and he won't be able to dig out. We have filled this area with soil and sand up to the base of the cold frame - so he can dig down safely, but not out. So, would a natural hibernation be safe for him in this way? I've covered predators and frost protection, is there anything else I need to think of? 

Many thanks :-)

Re. plants, take a look at the Post below yours.

Topsoil from your garden would be fine, rather than mixed with sand. They like moist soil to hibe. in, so hydrate it.

You would need to replace the frame over winter, with a wooden structure filled with straw. This would provide much better insulation. Avoid a complete seal to facilitate an exchange of air.

Yes a 'natural' hibe. is fine, I'm sure that you'll monitor it.

Regards,

Tom

With regard to the post below mine re plants, I can't find it. Please can you tell me it's  heading? 

Many thanks

Just  click & see.