One of the most important considerations in determining what garden and landscape plants
you can grow in your garden is whether or not they will survive the climate in your area.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map factors in average winter minimum temperatures. This collection of information starts with Zone 1, where minimum temperatures can go down to MINUS 50° F., and ranges to Zone 11, for the lucky gardeners in Hawaii and extreme Southern Florida where lows don't drop below 40° F.
The imformation provided is based on data collected by the USDA over a period of 70 years.
We chose to utilize the USDA standards rather than other zone standards because of its more universal use by both gardeners and growers.
The Zone Atlas consists of the master map, nine regional maps, a "last frost date" map, tables and charts. Use them as tools to plan your gardening activities. Keep in mind that there is always a chance of occasional extreme winters or summers that should also be factored into your plans!
Most planting directions are based on the average last frost date, which is defined as "the last day in the spring that you might have a killing frost".
When making your plant selections, it is wise to consult more experienced gardening friends and neighbors for advice regarding possible local micro-climates or unusual conditions. Their knowledge can be invaluable.
