What is a growing zone and why does it matter? What is the difference between growing zones and your last and first frost dates? When you are new to gardening, all of this information can be quite confusing. Read below to find out when your growing zone matters and when it doesn’t.
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What is a Growing Zone?
Growing zones (AKA hardiness zones) are the standard by which gardeners can determine which perennial plants are compatible in their area. Growing zones are are based on the average annual minimum (lowest) temperature in a given area.
How to Determine Your Growing Zone
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the mostly widely recognized tool for determining growing zones in the United States. This map divides the USA into numbered zones based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, displayed as 10-degree F zones and 5-degree F half zones. To determine your growing zone, visit the USDA Hardiness Zone Map and enter your zip code. That will tell your most recent growing zone.
Why Your hardiness Zone Matters
Understanding your growing zone empowers you to make informed decisions when selecting perennial plants for your garden. When purchasing perennial plants, they will list their hardiness to zone (i.e. hardy to zone 6). The primary purpose of growing zones is to help you determine what which plants will survive winter. You need to this information before planting trees, shrubs, berry bushes, landscaping plants, as well as perennial flowers and herbs.
When you should use frost dates
Your growing zone does not determine the length of your gardening season or tell you when you should plant your crops. This information should be obtained through determining your last and first frost dates. You can determine your frost date information through The Old Farmer’s Almanac. When you enter your zip code, it will tell you the average dates of your last frost and your first frost. It will also tell you the length (number of days) of your growing season. This information is important when planting and growing annual plants. These are plants that you do not intend to survive over winter.
Growing Zone vs Frost Dates- Which to Use and When
In summary, you should use your growing/hardiness zone when planning perennial plantings or planting things you want to survive over winter. If you are planting annual plants, you will want to focus on your last and first frost dates.
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