Gardener's Group discussion
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2012 Hardiness Zone Map - Zone Changes Made!
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Jo wrote: "The USDA has made several changes to Zones on the Hardiness Zone Map. To find out your Zone (updated or not), click on http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PH... You can click on your state and t..."I did this and am in Zone 4a. The only problem is I don't know what that means as there is no plain zone 4 as in the past. Think I will just plant as usual, but thanks for the info!
I believe there's info under one of the tabs as to what Zones mean, but in short, places are classified by zones because of their average annual high/low temps and therefore, generally speaking, there are plants which will survive and won't survive in your zone because of those average annual high/low temps. Of course there are always exceptions to every rule but generally speaking this is a good guideline to use, especially when shopping in big box garden centers like Home Depot and Lowes, etc who not only carry zone appropriate plants, but also plants appropriate to the zones of their headquarters, which may or may not be appropriate to your zone.
I do know what the zones mean I'm just not sure I trust a change. We have recently broken high temp readings which have stood for over 100 years which makes me think it could happen for low temps as well. Maybe I'm just old and set in my ways!
Not old Cheryl, just "well established" as in perennials.
MissJessie wrote: "Not old Cheryl, just "well established" as in perennials."LOL!
:o)
Cheryl - I'm with you! The new zone map is simply wrong for me (but some of the weather sites come up with a town an hour and a half south and lower in elevation - I think maybe they used that for planning my little area). They put me MUCH warmer than I am. I'd lose half my plants if I went by their new "zoning". I'm stubbornly sticking to zone 7 for US and Sunset both :-)
Maggie wrote: "Cheryl - I'm with you! The new zone map is simply wrong for me (but some of the weather sites come up with a town an hour and a half south and lower in elevation - I think maybe they used that for ..."I've been burned too many times by planting something that's iffy for my area. Glad I'm not the only one!
I think that happens regardless of where we live/what zone we are. Researching what is native to where we live and using native plantings helps eliminate that. Many plants are labeled in a broad way "Zones 4-9" and much of the time, they will not grow in every zone they are labeled for. It's always trail & error but knowing your natives helps a lot.
Jo wrote: "Researching what is native to where we live and using native plantings helps eliminate that ..."That is what I do. I look all over the island for wild plants I like and also go to the Botanical Gardens. Anything growing there might grow in my place if it doesn't mind a bit of extra rain!
Yep, natives help a lot with the survival issue. Another thing to keep in mind are the micro climates in the area you are planting. Factors like elevation, materials, slope, and wind can affect the temps.
Jo wrote: "The USDA has made several changes to Zones on the Hardiness Zone Map. To find out your Zone (updated or not), click on http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PH... You can click on your state and t..."Jo wrote: "The USDA has made several changes to Zones on the Hardiness Zone Map. To find out your Zone (updated or not), click on http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PH... You can click on your state and t..."
Thanks for the map...I am apparently now in 7a. Used to always be a 6. I am on the edge, but as I am about to consider planting a bluberry hedge, this may give me some more options for brave creativity. Might try to see hoy some more tender but productive varieties do in my area.
You're welcome Fran! Let us know how you make out with your new choices!
Jo wrote: "You're welcome Fran! Let us know how you make out with your new choices!"Well, we'll see. I have always planted conservatively, but if I am going to put in 10 blueberry bushes, and multiple varieties assist with good pollination, I may experiment with a more tender variety or two.
Maggie wrote: "Cheryl - I'm with you! The new zone map is simply wrong for me (but some of the weather sites come up with a town an hour and a half south and lower in elevation - I think maybe they used that for ..."There are always so many little micro-zones within an area. Those broad bands are just an average. I always assume the next zone north to be safe...unless I WANT to experiment with a plant. In the town I live in there are parts that are on the south side of a large hill that are clearly zone 7, but those of us on the north side...I say better safe to stick with 6 if the plant is important.
Fran, you mentioned blueberries. It got me wondering if anyone here has luck getting raspberries or blackberries started? Mine are sickly. I'm in zone 6b.
I had raspberries in Idaho. They were just starts from someone's patch. They did great. I think the sandy soil was good for them. When did you plant yours? Where did you get them?
I think that's the problem. They aren't from another established patch. I got them from a garden catalog a few years ago.Sandy soil is good to know. We have a lot of clay around here. I may know where I can get some starts. It just occurred to me.
Raspberries = patience! I originally picked my raspberries up from a big box garden center. They took 6 years to begin produce fruit. (Their beautiful foliage was their saving race). They started out in the clay soil ground in my then zone 6 garden (now I believe it would be 6b) but have been in a huge container ever since moving here to 7b (formerly 7a). They're at least 12 years old now I believe and already bursting with healthy new foliage. In ground or in a container: They like very good drainage, soil that doesn't stay overly damp for long, lots of full sun and lots of air circulation. I have heard many stories of them taking their time to bear fruit, regardless of where the canes originated, so be patient
Raspberries are my favourite berries, favourite fruit really. I can't grow them here but if I could, they would be the first thing in the ground.
Wonderful! I'm going to get some starts and others and plant more. I have a spot that would be great for them. :) thanks
You're welcome! :o)
Per the color on the enlarged map, I'm still zone 7a here on the coast. But when I type in my zip code, it tells me I'm zone 7b. And I had the wrong color for my zone up north; I'm now zone 6a from 6, not 6b like I thought.
Still confusing, updated or not!