How do I know what zone I'm in?

Question

I've been reading a few answers about planting from other Yahoo members. Several have mentioned to consider what zone you are in in order to determine what plants would do well in your area. Where do I go for more information?

Answer 1

The zone people refer to is the cold hardiness zone map developed and published by the US Department of Agriculture. This map attempts to geographically divide the nation into zones. Each zone defines a region by its minimum low temperatures. As an example, zone 5a is defined as -20 to -15 degrees F below zero. The lower the number, the lower the minimum temperature for that zone, therefore, zone 5b is warmer than zone 5a, which is warmer than zone 4b, etc.

Cold hardiness is one factor to consider in determining the survivability of a plant in your zone. Recently, we have discovered that heat hardiness is just as important. The USDA is working on a heat hardiness zone map.

As the previous posting states, there are micro climates within zones and even within your property. But the basic premise of selecting plants that are hardy to your zone is generally a good basic rule to follow.

Here is a link to Wikipedia for their definition of the USDA cold hardiness zone map and a link to the actual USDA cold hardiness map (not commercial sites):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USDA_plant_hardiness_zone

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

Answer 2

The department of agriculture gives the ideal planting zone, but keep in mind that there are small ecosystem deviations in a general area. The link below gives the USDA map for the planting zones, and it is usually pretty correct.

What helps in determining also what should go where in your garden, is the aspect that your plants sit in, as to whether they have all day sunshine and will bake--or only morning sunshine and south facing, with a little shade from a building or nearby tree in the afternoon.

We are in a little high desert pocket in a state that is generally known to be rainy and temperate--so nights can be much cooler, and summers also much hotter than the chart gives, so I keep that in mind when ordering plants and have found for me that a supplier in Santa Fe has things for high desert range of temperatures with low water accessability.

Answer 3

There are a number of sites that can help. The first one listed will let you look up what zone you are in by zip code. I do not know of any sites with zone information for places other than the US and Canada.

Answer 4

Hi!!

There are lots of "hardiness zone maps" around. Flower catalogs (where you buy plants) always have them. HOWEVER, for a quick answer, just click here:
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html?

Here is an article that explains about the different zones:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_seasonal_weather/article/0,1785,HGTV_3629_1371360,00.html

Have fun with your plants!!

Answer 5

Now that you have figured out what you're in, check out this Web site to find plants suitable for your zone!

http://www.backyardgardener.com

Answer 6

go to wayside gardens online they can tell you your zone and then give you information on what kind of plants grow in your zone! on of my favorite places to get information on plants good luck!!!