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| Did you see the new usda hardiness zone map? Cool interactive features.
I don't think the new Zone is accurate for my area, however. We were previously Zone 4b (-25 to -20) bordering on Zone 4a (-30 to -25). According to the new map, I am now zone 5b (-15 to -10) bordering on 6a (-10 to -5). Last week with less than a half foot of snow coverage we had a -15 low. Last year this same week the low was -23. Granted we did have about 3 feet son coverage last year when we had that temp. Just wondering how accurate it is for your regions? Sorry to the canadians in advance - it only cover the US. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Hardiness Zones
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by frankielynn 7b (My Page) on Thu, Jan 26, 12 at 20:25
| It is not accurate for us. We always have a real cold winter every few years and zone 8 plants would all die. About an hour away they grow some palm trees but they won't survive with out pampering/protection in our area. This the the 'global warming' projected map. |
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| I agree. Seems like it is politically motivated. Or maybe plant sales motivated - because if all your plants die in a cold winter you have to go buy more? |
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| I think one of the problems is that it relies on 30 yr averages. In recent years, the weather has been more extreme with a much warmer winter than average followed by a much colder winter. The average of those two may tell you a plant can survive but the actual data rules it out. |
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- Posted by deviant-deziner Oh zone (My Page) on Fri, Jan 27, 12 at 20:49
| I always considered the usda hardiness zones as sort of an average guideline that wasn't micro-climate sensitive. Living in the west I have relied on the Sunset Western Garden book for specific detailing of the very many micro-climates in the West. When I was living on the east coast I depended on the local university and or the ag extension for specific hardiness zones. I think my usda zone is now 9b. which sounds about right. Prior I think my Northern California zone was just plain 9. |
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| Yes, it's averages - they have never said a plant not hardy below the average range for a zone would be fully hardy in that zone. Here if you figure a plant needs to be about 10 degrees hardier than the low end of our average that works out most of the time. That said, the new zone finder, if I worked it right puts my girlfriend's apparently much colder garden in the same 8b that it puts me in. I do have to wonder about that. Plants I've had for years freeze out at her place after only few to several years. And her snowfalls are about triple mine. I could see her being 8a, after all the numbers are worked, but 8b? Really? |
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| Suddenly I'm z6! Very exciting. |
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