Zone 8a

Can I assume that zone 8a in NE Texas is the same as 8a in the CA desert? i.e. very dry, wind is the big weather bugaboo and has its seasons, high heat (in the summer regularly to 110 or above for some days) during the day, cool nights. Winter usually sees many freezes with 100% frost day by November 21ish. Snow maybe once or twice a year, but not much at a time --- usually.

Thanks for your help

Kathy

Hi,
I just learned a neat tid-bit about zones. Zones are figured on an average between how cold and hot it gets. Perhaps you have similar weather but not necessarily. Hope this helps.

Patty from Yorktown

Here is in informational link about your region and there is a link about USDA Hardiness Zones. Hardiness zones actually relate to how cold it gets in your area. Click on the link for more information.
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t872-what-is-a-region-for-with-map

varmit wrote:Can I assume that zone 8a in NE Texas is the same as 8a in the CA desert?...

Actually, the answer is a resounding no! The USDA zones are based on the average low temperature in winter. The zones are almost useless for veggie gardeners because most veggies are grown in the summertime. For those veggies that are bi-annual or that we try to overwinter, if they succumb to the cold, we are out a couple dollars, no big deal. That's a lot different than losing an ornamental that's worth hundreds of dollars.

I live in Zone 7 and it is different than Zone 7 in N.M., that is different than Zone 7 in VA.

A very good example amongst our members is Furbalsmom in Zone 8B-9A on the Oregon coast who sometimes doesn't have enough summer heat to grow tomatoes. Compare that to members on the Gulf coast in zone 8B who have to quit growing veggies for a month or two because it gets too hot.

The zones east of the Rockies are somewhat linear, from west to east, and predictable. Going west of the Rockies, you can throw predictability into the wind because of the localized effects of elevation and ocean currents.

Especially in the west, you just about have to find local weather climates to make comparisons with.