Posted on 01/26/2012 12:04:04 PM PST by JustaDumbBlonde
USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map, updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail. The new map — jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service and Oregon State University's PRISM Climate Group — is available online at http://www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov . ARS is the chief intramural scientific research agency of USDA.
For the first time, the new map offers a Geographic Information System based interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly. The map website also incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function. Static images of national, regional and state maps have also been included to ensure the map is readily accessible to those who lack broadband Internet access.
"This is the most sophisticated Plant Hardiness Zone Map yet for the United States," said Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. "The increases in accuracy and detail that this map represents will be extremely useful for gardeners and researchers."
Plant hardiness zone designations represent the average annual extreme minimum temperatures at a given location during a particular time period. They do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average lowest winter temperature for the location over a specified time. Low temperature during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations.
(Excerpt) Read more at usda.gov ...
Each week on The Weekly Gardening Thread, I will post a link back to this thread, so it will be handy.
Weekly Gardening Thread (Catalog Fever) Vol. 1 Jan 6, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread (Seeds) Vol. 2, January 13, 2012
Weekly Gardening Thread Vol. 3, January 20, 2012
Thanks momtothree for the heads up to this information!
Here are the state-specific links:
Detailed State Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
International Plant Hardiness Zone Maps
Australia
Canada
China
Europe
Japan
See you all tomorrow on the regular weekly thread. It may be a bit late because I have to attend a funeral in the morning. Take care ...
I think it gets my area right. Brings zone 6a right up the Mississippi valley to Keokuk, in the ‘Florida of Iowa’ which is always just a bit warmer than us 20 miles to the north, and we’re often a bit warmer than the rest of the state.
Finally a zone map that is not confusing for my area, Meridian, Ms. I could never tell from the old map if I was in a 7b or 8a. There were dips of 7b into the 8a zone right on top of me. Now I am in a solid 8a and so is Marshall, Tx where we are moving.
Thanks for the map.
I live in Southern California where there are a zillion micro-climates because of the hills and valleys, large and small. What grows on the next block does not necessarily do well in my yard.
It’s almost been hit and miss, but these maps do help.
I only wish I could enter my zip code to get a bit more specific.
Thank you for the post.
I am a ‘wee’ bit surprised the government has not informed US these ZONES are in flux due to man made climate change.
The state maps indicate what I have long suspected—the part of OH I’m in is warmer than most of the state, and more like northern Kentucky.
Well worth a look.
The National Gardening Asso. still has the old map up and when I enter my zip code it tells me I am in 7b. 7b is kind of an peninsula dipping down into the middle of the 8a zone. I never understood this. I hope this new map is correct and not based on Political Correctness, e.g. global warming!
WOW - that was a lot of work. Thank you my friend!!!!!!!!!
This map is what I was asking about last week. Thanks so much.
Thanks for the maps.
You can enter your zip code at the site but remember that's the zone for that post office and not necessarily your garden. Type in the surrounding zips just in case. Check the state map link and zoom in to make sure if you're close to a boundary.
I’ve already seen a Lefty AGW-believer spouting off about this map, yelling SEE, SEE, THERE REALLY IS AGW, THEY HAD TO RE-DO THE MAP!
Idiots.
It’s all right, Lefty useful idiots are already claiming that for them.
That’s great. It’s easy to read, for a change. I’m 5b, right along the western coast of Lake Michigan just north of Milwaukee. Diana is in 5a, due west of me in Dane County (Madison). I was surprised to se the temperature differences between 5a and 5b. I’ll probably still plant to Zone 4 for perennials and shrubs.
Thanks, I always thought I was 6a, but now looks like 6b ... nice to know!
I’m now solidly 8b, where I used to be solidly 8a.
You’re most welcome!
You betcha!
It’s incorrect on my place (”4b”) due to winter temps being routinely reported higher than true for tourism revenues. This is a 3b (personal weather station). Most vegetables here also need to be covered all summer (water frozen some mornings). But it’s still helpful! Thanks.
I had to go to the state map and then zoom in, and I have remarkable eyesight. I’m calling it 9c.
You need to look in the Sunset Western Garden Book, newest edition you can find. If you don’t want to buy one (but you should have it!) either check the local library; or see if one is available to consult at a good garden center, local garden club, or such.
Their maps take into account many more factors than the USDA maps, and divides into (IIRC) 24 climate zones for the Western states. The SoCal maps are quite detailed.
Check it out here: http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/
Thank you JDB, I was always confused if we were in the tip top of 8b or lower tip of 8a. We are fully in 8B. The seed soil is getting dampened and tomorrow they will receive tomatoe seeds and peas.
yelling SEE, SEE, THERE REALLY IS AGW, THEY HAD TO RE-DO THE MAP!
I’ve tried to convince some outfits to ship bare-root plants to us with their Zone-4 schedule, rather than the “correct” Zone-5 dates with mixed success; if they don’t, I have to hold them too long before we can plant them.
Well, that clinches it! I’m moving to Puerto Rico - for many reasons, LOL! :)
Stop and get me on the way to PR, please! So good to see you again! I have so much to talk to you about. Wasn’t it you that recommended Buff Orphs?
I love Buff Orpington hens; my favorite breed!
Freepmail me. LOTS to catch up on - I’m kinda on the fly these days... :)
I found a new seed source for gardeners in Ontario, Canada.
http://www.oscseeds.com/index.php
They have a nice catalog as well. I'll be placing my order soon.
The days are getting longer again. Happy Spring everyone!
This new "speciality" will attract Lacewings, Ladybugs, Syrphid Flies Parasitic Mini-Wasps, Tachinid Flies, Minute Pirate Bug, Soldier and Ground Beetles. A blend of self-sowing annuals and perennials. Contains: Alfalfa, Perennial Alyssum, White Alyssum, Alpine Aster, Lemon Balm, Wild Bergamot, Black Eyed Susan, Buckwheat, Butterfly Weed, Caraway, Coriander, Cosmos Sensation White, Evening Primrose, Gloriosa Daisy, Golden Rod, Dill, Florence Fennel, Limnanthes, Statice, Prairie Sunflower, Rocky Mountain Pentstemon, Yarrow, Zinnia
What do you think of this list?
Thanks! I was just going to ping you with a link to the site, but you’ve got all the info and more.
MilicaBee
You’re most welcome! Thanks for stopping by :)
You were the first person I thought of when I saw the new map and legend. :)
If these foolish people were as well read as they believe, they would know that the environment changes from time-to-time. Apparently extremes in either direction that give us 'averages' means nothing to them.
I remember when I entered my teens in the 70's and they were predicting that we were all gonna freeze.
Got a little rough here, and it was the first really good thunder/lightning show that we've had in at least a year. I had almost forgotten what it was like.
Great resource/thread JADB!
Bookmark!
We got some good steady rain early today then it cleared up later in the day. I don’t understand Cashmere, she seems to enjoy just walking around in the rain and coming in all dripping wet! I think it has to do with me getting her to stop and get rubbed down and dried of with a towel before she is allowed to walk around in the house! Spoiled Child!
Thanks for the info.
Still, the best thing to do is what my local gardening column advises — walk around your neighborhood to see what grows! And, that’s exactly what I do. Whenever I walk my dogs, I make a mental note of what is blooming, what is healthy, what looks good.
Saves a lot of money, time and effort because often what is in the local nurseries around here looks great but doesn’t grow well here. We also have terrible terrible, hard-packed clay soil that needs heavy amendment.
Still, after 20 years, my yard looks pretty good and I have flowers all year around — my neighbor is about to declare war, said his wife keeps asking why THEIR yard can’t look like mine.
Gardening is the best stress relief there is!! Good to get your hands in the dirt, pull a few weeds, shovel up some rocks and dirt.
And the thrill of success.. there’s nothing like it!!
Now, give me some hints about keeping CATS out of my flower beds (I have two cats myself) — DOGS too (two dogs). Love my animals but don’t like my beds dug up!!
Send the rain our way!!
We are having another brown winter in Southern California — too warm weather along with drying winds, 80+ degrees today and tomorrow. The water police patrol my neighborhood every morning looking for violations of water rationing — wet sidewalks, sprinklers turned on on the wrong days.
The worst part of warm weather this time of year is that it forces your fruit trees to bloom — then when the rain or cold weather returns, all the blossoms fall off ruining your crop for the year.
Time to do a rain dance!!
My neighbor gave me over a set of onions. He had several varieties and not enough room in his garden. I finished planting them yesterday. If they all make, we won’t be buying any later this year.
There are many other issues beside plant hardiness that a gardener should consider. Sunset Magazines list 19 gardening zones for California alone.
Dittos on Sunset guide
Hopefully, we will be covering some of those issues in the weekly threads.
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