I am still in Zone 5a

USDA just released updated Hardiness Zone Map 2012



but junk science has a few things to say about it.

I have officially been listed as 6a, but I am leaving it at 5b/6a, for my own training, mostly. It's way too easy for me to get ahead of myself, which is fine for things like peas, that get direct sown and staggered. Putting out seedlings...not so much.

Junk Science is a very interesting site -thanks for expanding my horizons.

I've been changed from 7a to 7b.

Woot, I have been promoted from the border with 7b to full in 8a.... I feel like I won the lottery!

Wow, I got upgraded to 7a? I think I will plan for the 6's just in case. Call me a skeptic.

Yep, I'm solid 8A instead of just on the edge. But then my extension office has alway had me in 8A. Just the zip code searchers put me in 7B

Kay

WOOHOO! I went from 6b to 7a... I've been contemplating a fig tree, but leary of having to bring inside for winter. This just may be the factor that convinces me to try a permanent planting. I have a friend with 4 trees/bushes that I have watched flourish for 9 years. I'm excited now! I'm gonna go to Gurneys this weekend and capitalize on their sale!

It is difficult to tell, but they moved the southern half of Pinellas County (just west of Tampa) to zone 10A. I knew it was hotter than.......well, it's hot in the summer.

I love it! Mostly because of the zip code finder. Some people questioned that I was really in zone 7 in WA but now I can say with absolute certainty that I am 7a. Whoot. :o)

Well, I always went by zone 5b with protected 6a...seems I am still there..so no changes for me...

Well jeepers..after looking closer, the center of my county is a micro-climate! Back to 5a I go grrrrr

I moved from 5a to 5b so that means my idea of starting my seeds sooner than I used to should work. Nonetheless, I'll keep the plastic and row covers handy.

I am still a 5A, I guess Canada did not change
It seems to have been left out in the cold, at the top of the map.
At least I have a plan

Downtown Springfield is probably 5b now.....

It rarely gets lower than -15 F during the winter.

Folks would easily debate away, because I have a bunch of places around me that's likely 4a and 3b!

Even 2014 didn't have a night temp that I can confirm being lower than about -10 F.

(These are readings across from the Springfield town hall)

10A for us...They usually say 9 or 10 either way, we have awesome weather

By zipcode I am 6a.  But when I look at the map, I am quite close to 6b.  What is the difference between a and b in a zone, anyway?  Never could figure that out!  Thanks!

Zones denote the average winter time lows.  I believe the difference between one zone and the next is 10° and 5° between a and b.  

Then it gets complicated by micro-climates caused by elevation, bodies of water, and man-made structures.  Sometimes a person's front yard can be in one zone, and their backyard is in another zone.

The good news is that zones are irrelevant for most veggie gardening that is done in non-winter months.  Zones become relevant for veggie plants that are perennials like asparagus and artichokes.

Whether you're in 6a or 6b isn't going to make much difference.  The numbers are averages, so 6b could certainly get colder than 6a in some years.

Here's a numerical chart
http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

So this is basically for perennial plants (of all kinds) because it concerns how cold it gets in the winter.  And basically, that temperature is all it reflects.  Am I correct?  I am interested in flowers and shrubs as well as vegetables so this is of interest to me. 

Thank you for your reply.

Zones are a more valuable tool for ornamental/landscaping plants. Especially if you pay, for example, $100 or more for a certain Japanese Maple seedling. You want to know ahead of time what winter temperatures it will survive so that you don't lose your investment.

On the other hand, trying to push the winter temperature limits of an artichoke plant isn't a big deal if it cost a couple dollars.

It's not a precise science, and some of the practical applications are by trial and error. For instance, a shrub planted next to a house might be somewhat protected and will survive colder winters than it is typically rated for. But plant the same shrub on a hill top that is subject to strong winds, and it might not survive temperatures that it is rated for.

My asparagus supplier did not want to ship them to me based on zones.  We have asparagus thrive here and the crowns are doing splendidly.  She is keeping my emails insisting that she send them because she thinks I'm going to ask for my money back.

  I don't get it:

Asparagus grows in USDA hardiness zones 2 to 11, though it prefers a temperate climate. Gardeners in warm climates should choose varieties specially bred for their area because the temperature affects asparagus growth patterns.

Does she think it's too warm for the variety you purchased?

The new ferns are beauties.  We do not plan to pick any this first year to give them their best shot.

By ZIP code, I'm zone 5a. But not everything seems spot on, because Andover, is easily a zone 3b'er! And Cavendish is likely 4b, if not 4a!

And Greenfield, NH @Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center, is possibly 4a or 4b. Unless the Atlantic ocean keeps the overnight temps higher than in Vermont...

Also, the Dakotas, Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin, typically have a harsher winter and temp yo-yos than southern Vermont would! For folks in southern Vermont and New Hampshire in the Connecticut river region, that dread winters, probably couldn't stand a chance in the upper midwest nor the Rocky Mountain state!

I've been watching TWC, and the upper midwest and Colorado are very often terrible! Montana has been terrible for at least the last 5 or 4 years! Often like January, when it's only November, IIRC! No thank you!
But, something tells me that Alberta clippers usually go right into Montana, IIRC!

martha wrote:I have officially been listed as 6a, but I am leaving it at 5b/6a, for my own training, mostly. It's way too easy for me to get ahead of myself, which is fine for things like peas, that get direct sown and staggered. Putting out seedlings...not so much.

Junk Science is a very interesting site -thanks for expanding my horizons.

Springfield and North Springfield, Vermont, seems to fluctuate between 6a and 5a, LOL!

But some years, especially 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018 felt like I moved to the midwest!