Why knowing the “hardiness zone” in your area can keep your plants alive

Have you ever been confused by what it says when you look at the botanical tags in your local gardening center? “Zone 5-9“? This number is we The Ministry of Agriculture serves as a guide on which plants survive best in which regions of the country. There are many factors beyond this number that determine how successful a plant is, but understanding and using a cold-resistant zone is a great first step in planning a garden this spring.

What is the cold resistance zone of a plant?

To help determine which plants grow best in which region of the country, whether gardeners, amateurs or professionals, the USDA has set the country based on the lowest temperatures each zone is expected to receive in the winter. We are publishing a map that divides into zones.

There are 13 large zones separated by 10 ° F, which are further divided into two subzones of 5 ° F each. For example, my neighborhood in Los Angeles is 10b and the nearby Griffith Park is 11a.

To figure out which zone you live in Go to the interactive map of USDA Enter your zip code or expand part of the country.

Once you know the zone you live in, you can compare it to the gardening center or the zone information for plant tags purchased online. If your zone is greater than or equal to the zone listed on the tag, the plant must be sturdy enough to survive the winter.

Perennials and annuals that grow in cold-tolerant zones

The planting zone information is most useful if you are planning to grow perennials, that is, plants that are intended to live beyond one planting season. The farther away you are from the optimal temperature range of the plant, the more likely it is that you will not be able to survive the winter.

you can It grows plants outside the zone, but it can become an annual because it probably needs to be replanted within a year. For these plants, the winter temperature is not important-it does not pass through it anyway-so you need to pay more attention to planting at the right time for that plant.

Rule exception

The zone information on the plant tag assumes that the plant will be planted on the ground, but the rules will change if you grow it in pots. The ground soil is a little warm and does not freeze as hard as the raised pot soil. For unground plants, as a rule of thumb, we recommend choosing the following plants: Two zones that are “difficult” than the planting zone..

The USDA cold hardiness map is very specific, but it is still a rough tool for determining accurate climatic conditions. yours park. Depending on the geography, the garden may be more or less exposed to elements than the surrounding area. This will change which plants breed there.

Further digging, there is a microclimate in the garden that can be used or manufactured that can “cheat” the zone a bit. that too. Areas that are permanently shaded by trees and walls can be used, for example, to grow plants for cooler climates. Suntrap It can help plants survive the cold winters they should be able to handle (or take advantage of natural ones).

Zone aside, local plants grow best

Temperature is the only factor that determines whether a plant is healthy. Two plants with the same zone rating may have evolved in areas where other factors (soil composition, humidity, etc.) are extremely different. Therefore, not all 5.5 plants thrive in all 5.5 gardens.Ultimately, the most successful plants in your garden could be local plants (especially weeds) in your area.). Local plants have evolved to live in your backyard in natural conditions, so if you want the best chance of a thriving garden, stay home.