Gardening zones: What are they and what am I?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has this thing called a hardiness zone map for the U.S. to illustrate gardening conditions due to location in relation to cold climate (there is one for hot climates). This allows gardeners to plan for hardiness levels for shrubs, perennials, and trees. Interested in finding your zone? Check out the link to USDA to find your zone.
The hardiness zone divides the U.S. into 11 regions going from frozen wasteland/tundra (1) to Bahama Mama/tropical (11). As of January 2012, the USDA released a new version to reflect changes in the global climate (so if you're in the Boston area get ready to grow figs!). This can be further divided into subzones of A or B. With A being 5 degrees cooler than the main zone and B being 5 degrees warmer. For example, I'm a zone 5B which means my average winter conditions are -15 to -10 degrees.
Yet, this map is great for the deciduous climate of the east; however, the map gets a little difficult for those living west of the Rocky Mountains. Therefore, while you might share the same zone along the western seaboard elevations and weather patterns – or lack thereof – from the Pacific Ocean also play a role. So make sure you know your microclimate before setting out to start your garden.
 |
| The 2012 Hardiness Map. Retrieved from the USDA, 26 January 2012. http://www.planthardiness.ars.usa.gov/PHZMWeb/ |
