Planning: What is my USDA Hardiness Zone and how does it effect my garden?
Spring has Sprung! We could not be happier about that here in Skagit County. We have daffodils blooming, and tulips popping through the ground- crisp clean air and the right amount of rain for planting season!
I am constantly trying to find great resources on how to plan year round for a successful garden. A hobby garden brings a great many things to your life- an eye catching garden for your yard, outdoor exercise, quality time with loved ones (or yourself) and food for you to eat and preserve!
In order to be successful and gardening, some planning is necessary. Granted- I am not planner to the extent that some gardeners are. A lot of what I do is by the feel of the moment. However, the more you plan or at least follow a routine, the better your garden could grow!
A big part of planning is knowing what USDA Plant Hardiness Zone you are in- as that will effect how long you may have to wait in order to start planting. Below is a list of the zones- keep in mind, micro-climates can effect your garden as well!
Northeast Region:
- Zone 3a: -40°F to -35°F
- Zone 3b: -35°F to -30°F
- Zone 4a: -30°F to -25°F
- Zone 4b: -25°F to -20°F
- Zone 5a: -20°F to -15°F
- Zone 5b: -15°F to -10°F
- Zone 6a: -10°F to -5°F
- Zone 6b: -5°F to 0°F
Midwest Region:
- Zone 3a: -40°F to -35°F
- Zone 3b: -35°F to -30°F
- Zone 4a: -30°F to -25°F
- Zone 4b: -25°F to -20°F
- Zone 5a: -20°F to -15°F
- Zone 5b: -15°F to -10°F
- Zone 6a: -10°F to -5°F
- Zone 6b: -5°F to 0°F
- Zone 7a: 0°F to 5°F
- Zone 7b: 5°F to 10°F
Southeast Region:
- Zone 6a: -10°F to -5°F
- Zone 6b: -5°F to 0°F
- Zone 7a: 0°F to 5°F
- Zone 7b: 5°F to 10°F
- Zone 8a: 10°F to 15°F
- Zone 8b: 15°F to 20°F
- Zone 9a: 20°F to 25°F
Southwest Region:
- Zone 7a: 0°F to 5°F
- Zone 7b: 5°F to 10°F
- Zone 8a: 10°F to 15°F
- Zone 8b: 15°F to 20°F
- Zone 9a: 20°F to 25°F
- Zone 9b: 25°F to 30°F
- Zone 10a: 30°F to 35°F
West Region:
- Zone 4a: -30°F to -25°F
- Zone 4b: -25°F to -20°F
- Zone 5a: -20°F to -15°F
- Zone 5b: -15°F to -10°F
- Zone 6a: -10°F to -5°F
- Zone 6b: -5°F to 0°F
- Zone 7a: 0°F to 5°F
- Zone 7b: 5°F to 10°F
- Zone 8a: 10°F to 15°F
- Zone 8b: 15°F to 20°F
- Zone 9a: 20°F to 25°F
- Zone 9b: 25°F to 30°F
- Zone 10a: 30°F to 35°F
- Zone 10b: 35°F to 40°F
- Zone 11: above 40°F
Check Out this link for Plant Hardiness Zone Map Imagery and Legend. You may also type in your address and get your exact hardiness zone! https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/pages/view-maps
Please note that these temperatures and zones are only general guidelines and should not be relied upon exclusively when choosing plants for your area. Local factors, such as altitude, rainfall, and microclimates, can also affect plant survival and growth.
In Skagit County for instance, we are a mix of Hardiness zones- ranging from USDA Hardiness Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b. It is best to research your zone if in doubt at all.
In general, planting in April would be appropriate for many areas in zones 6-9, where the last frost date typically falls in late March or early April. However, it's important to note that the hardiness zone is just one factor to consider when deciding what to plant and when to plant it.
Other factors to consider include the specific microclimate of your garden or planting area, local weather patterns, and the particular needs of the plants you want to grow. Some plants may be more sensitive to temperature changes and require warmer soil and air temperatures to thrive, while others may be able to tolerate cooler conditions. Additionally, planting times may vary depending on whether you are starting seeds indoors or planting directly in the ground.
It's always a good idea to do some research on the specific plants you want to grow and consult with local gardening resources, such as extension offices or garden centers, to get advice on planting times and best practices for your area.
Our next blog will be about how to prepare your garden in the month of April, and we maybe referencing Hardiness Zones so keep this info close.