Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have a green thumb while others can’t seem to grow anything? Does it make sense that some neighbors produce beautiful vegetation while others have difficulty maintaining cacti?
It’s not only about knowing how to take care of your plants that will allow you to make the most of your beds. A person with a natural talent for gardening realizes the importance of the climate when it comes to planting and maintaining lush rows of decorative shrubs.
The time has come to discover your planting zones if you’ve only been guessing about your climate up until now. This guide will explain what planting zones mean, the differences between them, and how to use your zone information to grow a thriving garden that survives the winter. It won’t be long before your neighbors start wanting your green-thumb secrets.
What Is A Planting Zone?
Planting zones, or hardiness zones, are a method by which the USDA divides sections of the country according to their weather patterns. Previously there were 11 official planting zones on the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map; now there are 13. There is a 10 degree Fahrenheit difference between each. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are used by gardeners across the country to choose plants based on their hardiness.
A planting zone defines the conditions of where to grow a garden, so gardeners can choose where to grow theirs. There is a designated hardiness zone for each plant type, which indicates the plant is tolerant of the lowest temperatures in that area. Putting your plants in the wrong zone can cause them to be shocked by extreme temperatures. As a result, understanding categorization can assist you in selecting and caring for the best permanent landscaping trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Keep in mind that zones can change with changes in climate conditions. Further, the USDA can improve its zone classification by focusing on finer details, thanks to new and advanced GIS technology. The results further assist gardeners in choosing the best plants according to where they are located.
Difference Between Planting Zones
The hardiness zones run from the lowest to the highest possible cold conditions, separated by 10-degree intervals. Plants with the lowest numbers can withstand extreme weather conditions, while those with higher numbers are better suited to warmer climates. Plants belonging to hardiness zones three to seven are hardy enough to endure some cold, but not enough to withstand prolonged or extreme icy conditions. In contrast, plants in the 3 to 7 zone require a certain amount of cold and will probably perish if left in the desert heat.
If you’ve ever bought plants online or from a nursery, you’ve probably seen them tagged with hardiness zones. The zones are further subdivided into “a” and “b.” Plants in zone “a” can tolerate winter temperatures five degrees cooler than their “b” counterparts.
A person might assume that a place located farther north will have a colder average temperature, but that’s not always the case. The climate in Seattle is 47 degrees latitude and hardiness zone 8, while the one in Baltimore is about six or seven degrees latitude and hardiness zone.
While learning about your hardiness area, you should take into account other local factors besides the plant’s cold-tolerance. A unique climate in your area has a huge impact on the types of plants that will grow there. The following are some of these factors:
Winds
Certain weather elements that move coastal air and jet streams can alter the conditions of growing in specific regions. Winds cause vegetation to dry out. In addition, high winds can damage plants. Be sure to choose evergreens or shrubs that can withstand high winds if you live in a microclimate that is windy.
Urban Heat
Even if both are part of the same region, metropolitan areas usually have more comfortable temperatures. That’s because of the urban heat island effect, where urban areas absorb and retain heat, maintaining higher temperatures throughout the year.
Rainfall
Soil is moister when there is a lot of rain. The amount of precipitation in your area is therefore important to take into account. Gardeners in dry areas won’t need to worry about rain, but those living in the Pacific Northwest should choose wet-tolerant plants or improve their soil drainage.
Humidity
California and Florida have parts of their respective states where the hardiness zones are the same, but the relative humidity levels are quite different. Because high humidity slows down a plant’s transpiration rate, Floridian gardeners need to select plants that can tolerate high humidity.
5 Reasons To Know Your Planting Zone
As a gardener, you know plants depend on all kinds of conditions to grow, from soil quality to sunlight levels to nutrients and water. However, weather conditions are just as important for a variety of reasons.
These are some of the top reasons why gardeners should understand their planting zones:
Know What You’re Buying
The same way a shoe store labels all its shoes by size, nurseries label their plants based on hardiness. You should therefore select plants with the right size when buying vegetation online or at a local nursery rather than hope they will survive by picking sprouts on a whim. You’ll be able to buy plants that are right for your zone if you know what to look for.
Invest Your Money Wisely
Plants are a long-term investment, no matter how hard you work to maintain them. Some trees and shrubs will cost a lot of money, but if you take good care of them, they’ll last for years to come. The same can be said for your plants. You want to protect them just as you do for any other asset. By choosing plants that fit your hardiness zone, you prevent the need for additional landscaping expenses in the future.
Provide Better Care for Your Plants
It is imperative that your plants survive as long as possible. If you are a plant parent, you want your environment to be as nurturing as possible for your plants. Care for your plants becomes easier if you choose plants that are suited to the climate conditions in your area. As you witness your plants flourish, you will grow more and more proud of your gardening skills.
Grow Versatile Plants
With your expanding knowledge of plant species and their hardiness levels, you will learn that some plant types are hardier than others. There are many plants that can grow in multiple zones so that they are versatile. Other gardeners may have been inspired to grow outside their traditional zones, so you are likely to feel motivated to experiment. Nevertheless, you should possess a good understanding of specific conditions to prepare for.
Add Diversity to Your Garden
Your hardiness zone may inspire you to explore other regions, once you understand the weather in your area. As you grow to know what you’re experiencing, you’ll be able to discover some plants you hadn’t thought about before, providing you with a chance to express your creativity in your plantings while still ensuring you’re choosing suitable plants.
13 USDA Planting Zones
With today’s USDA planting zone map, you can find the information you need in an interactive and searchable format. It is possible to refine the nation’s location by zone, which will allow you to plant seed in your area.
If you were familiar with the hardiness zone for your area in the past, you should be aware that it has changed. To keep pace with climate changes across the United States, the USDA redeveloped its hardiness zone map in 2012. The following 13 planting zones and their specifics are listed:
Zone 1 (-60 to -50)
In planting zone 1, the temperature is on average -60 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it the coldest hardiness zone in the United States. Zone 1a is -65 degrees to -55 degrees, and Zone 1b is -55 degrees to -50 degrees. Alaska’s northern and central regions are the only places with this number. Is there anything that can survive this unforgiving cold? In the winter, imagine a blanket of snow covering the birch and aspen trees. There are some hardy rhododendrons that succeed in hardiness zone one.
Zone 2 (-50 to -40)
In Zone 2, the growing environment is bitterly cold. There are only two parts of Alaska that fall within this zone: the northern reaches and the central parts. Some parts of Alaska’s coast have a hardiness zone of 2b, which is a temperature range of -40 to -45 degrees. Hardy trees like American elms, paper birches, and Eastern larch trees can endure the cold winters of zone 2.
Zone 3 (-40 to -30)
States that border Canada are familiar with the conditions in zone 3. In addition, there are areas in northern Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In parts of upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, it dips to 3b, which is between -30 and -35. Sugar maples and European white birches, as well as certain species of dogwood, juniper, spruce and pine can all survive these freezing temperatures.
Zone 4 (-30 to -20)
Several states in the south have sections of zone 4 temperatures, including Idaho, Wyoming and South Dakota. Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are also located between zones 4a and 4b. In addition to forsythias and Japanese barberries, common privet is a suitable plant. In zone 4, the deciduous dawn redwood does well as well.
Zone 5 (-20 to -10)
Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska are the primary zone 5 representatives. Zone 5b conditions also exist in the northern parts of Illinois, Indiana, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. You should choose perennials like Japanese maples, flowering dogwoods, and Oregon grape if you live in this region of the country.
Zone 6 (-10 to zero)
Zone 6 spans the eastern border of Colorado and New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, southern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Connecticut. As well as Nevada, Utah, and parts of California and Arizona, zone 6 is found throughout inland Washington and Oregon. In zone 6, common boxwoods and Atlas cedars are excellent choices, as well as heavenly bamboo, and English ivy.
Zone 7 (zero to 10)
In Arizona, New Mexico and Northern Texas, as well as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina, Zone 7 plants thrive. The big leaf maple, English holly, and Monterey pine are good choices for zone 7. You can also try Kurume azaleas, which have beautiful blooms.
Zone 8 (10 to 20)
Hardiness zones 8 is applicable to coastal regions of Washington State, Oregon, and Northern California. Additionally, this zone includes central Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South and North Carolina. Mexican orange trees, common olive trees, and strawberries are all candidates for planting. Additionally, zone 8b is capable of producing healthy pindo palms.
Zone 9 (20 to 30)
There are some places with zone 9 weather, such as California, Arizona, East Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. The southwestern part of Oregon can produce healthy zone 9 plants. In these areas, hibiscus plants, fuchsias, orchid trees and eucalyptus species thrive.
Zone 10 (30 to 40)
Zone 10 maintains a higher than average temperature year-round, which includes areas like Central Florida, Arizona’s Mexico border, and the southern tip of California. Here, you can find friendly poinsettias, rubber plants, and a variety of palms and succulents.
Zone 11 (40 to 50)
Almost no other parts of the continental United States reach zone 11 conditions except Los Angeles, San Diego, and Miami. Agaves, aloes, and African lily plants can be enjoyed by Zone 11 residents. Don’t forget to choose plants that are suitable for your local humidity level.
Zones 12 and 13 (50 to 60 and 60 to 70)
USDA tropical zones 12 and 13 are only found on the Hawaiian Islands and Puerto Rico. The Hawaii hibiscus and exotic birds of paradise are among the plants in Zone 13. We are also surrounded by tropical fruit plants like mango trees, avocado trees, and coconut palms.
How To Find Out Your Planting Zone
To have a successful gardening endeavor, it is important to understand the hardiness zones of plants. I find it interesting to learn how our nation’s wide range of climatic conditions can result in such a wide diversity of vegetation. It’s best to identify your zone by visiting the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service website to look at the most up-to-date planting zone map. The following steps will help:
Click on Tour State
As you can hover over the states and click on the ones you’d like to see, the map itself is interactive. A close-up of your state’s hardiness location is displayed with color-coded details on your individual page.
Select Your State from the Drop-Down Menu
A list of alphabetically organized states will also allow you to view your state map. The same page will be displayed as with option one.
Input Your Zip Code
A zip code search is also available to find planting zones. To find your zip code using the same map, enter your zip code in the search box. Under the search bar, your planting zone will appear as soon as you click “Find.” To search for our nursery location, we entered our zip code. It is more accurate to use your zip code than to simply look at a state map to figure out where you are.
It’s amazing how diverse a state can be when it comes to climate when you look at its map. It may seem that even your neighboring city lies within a half zone in the higher or lower range. Those factors contribute to this separation, which is a consequence of climatic, weather-related, and natural influences on our vegetation.