Your Zone

[pecan]

I have noticed over the last several years that many people still go off the old USDA zone map. I have seen people in my area think they are a zone 5 or 6. It always surprises me that few know they re-zoned the US in 2012 based on the last 20 years of temps. In fact most plant websites I visit shows my zip as 1-2 zones colder than we actually are.

Here is the link to the new (as of 2012) zone map. You may actually be a different zone than you think

Pre 2012, USDA had my zip listed as a 6a, but now we are a 7a.

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

 

[KC Crook]

Thanks! I think we are still somewhere in 7a/b. I depend on our local HOA to tell me tbh. They say 7, its about right, lol. Sounds like your in a similar area to me Pecan. High Desert.

 

[pecan]

Thanks! I think we are still somewhere in 7a/b. I depend on our local HOA to tell me tbh. They say 7, its about right, lol. Sounds like your in a similar area to me Pecan. High Desert.

Where in the high desert in CA are you? I am originally from the Idyllwild CA. But I come from a long line of people from the Los Angeles area (7 generations born in CA).

 

[KC Crook]

Im in upstate CA, in Weed. Pine forests and high desert. CA is amazing...you know deep south CA, and Im upstate yet the zones can be very similar.

 

[Stephen T.]

Well, it doesn't agree with my experience. It puts me in 6b, -5 to 0 F, but in 2 of the last 3 years we've gotten to -21 & -17, which is close to what the old zone shows, 5a, -20 to -15. So, until more data is collected, I'll stick with 5a!

 

[KC Crook]

Well, it doesn't agree with my experience. It puts me in 6b, -5 to 0 F, but in 2 of the last 3 years we've gotten to -21 & -17, which is close to what the old zone shows, 5a, -20 to -15. So, until more data is collected, I'll stick with 5a!

Interesting stephen. we did get a vicious cold two years ago, stayed below freezing for 2 weeks straight and it played havoc, but was far from normal. Sometimes we have a fluke year. Happened more then once in Louisiana when I was growing up too. Staying conservative is a cost effective measure for sure.

 

[pecan]

Well, it doesn't agree with my experience. It puts me in 6b, -5 to 0 F, but in 2 of the last 3 years we've gotten to -21 & -17, which is close to what the old zone shows, 5a, -20 to -15. So, until more data is collected, I'll stick with 5a!

I bet it can be hit and miss regardless of the zone map and record lows that occur from time to time.

Funny thing is, in 2011 I pulled 20 years worth of local weather station data (high's, low's, first and last frost etc) dropped it into a spreadsheet, created some formulas and tables and after a lot of work realized I was zone 7a!!!! A few months later the USDA came out with the new zone map saying I was zone 7a. All that work for nothing! LOL

 

[KC Crook]

Ahaha! Yes, it does run on averages. I look today and see SOLA is about a 9 but when I grew up there, we could have such nasty winters on occassion, any plant could die that was a 9, but rare any did. i mean like elephant ears ect...they just had to be old and tough.

 

[KC Crook]

Its really about soil freezing right? Our temps range but what the roots can handle is the important point.

 

[addy1]

We are 6b, still 6b I know some plants I put in for zone 7 have died off over winters, so I stick with zone 6 plants.

 

[KC Crook]

We are 6b, still 6b I know some plants I put in for zone 7 have died off over winters, so I stick with zone 6 plants.

Same here, if not rated zone 7, I dont waste money on them unless I expect an annual.