Weekly Gardening Thread (U.S. Hardiness Zones) Supplemental Vol. 1

U.S. Department of Agriculture ^ | January 26, 2012 | JustaDumbBlonde

[JustaDumbBlonde]

SUPPLEMENTAL VOL. 1

USDA Unveils New Plant Hardiness Zone Map

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map, updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail. The new map — jointly developed by USDA's Agricultural Research Service and Oregon State University's PRISM Climate Group — is available online at http://www.planthardiness.ars.usda.gov . ARS is the chief intramural scientific research agency of USDA.

For the first time, the new map offers a Geographic Information System based interactive format and is specifically designed to be Internet-friendly. The map website also incorporates a "find your zone by ZIP code" function. Static images of national, regional and state maps have also been included to ensure the map is readily accessible to those who lack broadband Internet access.

"This is the most sophisticated Plant Hardiness Zone Map yet for the United States," said Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. "The increases in accuracy and detail that this map represents will be extremely useful for gardeners and researchers."

Plant hardiness zone designations represent the average annual extreme minimum temperatures at a given location during a particular time period. They do not reflect the coldest it has ever been or ever will be at a specific location, but simply the average lowest winter temperature for the location over a specified time. Low temperature during the winter is a crucial factor in the survival of plants at specific locations.

[familyop]

It’s incorrect on my place (”4b”) due to winter temps being routinely reported higher than true for tourism revenues. This is a 3b (personal weather station). Most vegetables here also need to be covered all summer (water frozen some mornings). But it’s still helpful! Thanks.

[Darth Reardon]

I had to go to the state map and then zoom in, and I have remarkable eyesight. I’m calling it 9c.

[ApplegateRanch]

You need to look in the Sunset Western Garden Book, newest edition you can find. If you don’t want to buy one (but you should have it!) either check the local library; or see if one is available to consult at a good garden center, local garden club, or such.

Their maps take into account many more factors than the USDA maps, and divides into (IIRC) 24 climate zones for the Western states. The SoCal maps are quite detailed.

Check it out here: http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/

[tillacum]

Thank you JDB, I was always confused if we were in the tip top of 8b or lower tip of 8a. We are fully in 8B. The seed soil is getting dampened and tomorrow they will receive tomatoe seeds and peas.

[ApplegateRanch]

yelling SEE, SEE, THERE REALLY IS AGW, THEY HAD TO RE-DO THE MAP!

---

Yes! AGW! That’s why they have finally placed our ZIP-Code into 4-B, from 5-A, where I’ve long known it should be.

I’ve tried to convince some outfits to ship bare-root plants to us with their Zone-4 schedule, rather than the “correct” Zone-5 dates with mixed success; if they don’t, I have to hold them too long before we can plant them.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Well, that clinches it! I’m moving to Puerto Rico - for many reasons, LOL! :)

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Stop and get me on the way to PR, please! So good to see you again! I have so much to talk to you about. Wasn’t it you that recommended Buff Orphs?

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I love Buff Orpington hens; my favorite breed!

Freepmail me. LOTS to catch up on - I’m kinda on the fly these days... :)

[fanfan]

Yes, thanks for all that formatting work JaDB!

I found a new seed source for gardeners in Ontario, Canada.
http://www.oscseeds.com/index.php

They have a nice catalog as well. I'll be placing my order soon.

The days are getting longer again. Happy Spring everyone!

[fanfan]

I grow your mix every year Diana. It seems like these people have picked up on the idea...

This new "speciality" will attract Lacewings, Ladybugs, Syrphid Flies Parasitic Mini-Wasps, Tachinid Flies, Minute Pirate Bug, Soldier and Ground Beetles. A blend of self-sowing annuals and perennials. Contains: Alfalfa, Perennial Alyssum, White Alyssum, Alpine Aster, Lemon Balm, Wild Bergamot, Black Eyed Susan, Buckwheat, Butterfly Weed, Caraway, Coriander, Cosmos Sensation White, Evening Primrose, Gloriosa Daisy, Golden Rod, Dill, Florence Fennel, Limnanthes, Statice, Prairie Sunflower, Rocky Mountain Pentstemon, Yarrow, Zinnia

What do you think of this list?

[MilicaBee]

Thanks! I was just going to ping you with a link to the site, but you’ve got all the info and more.

MilicaBee

[JustaDumbBlonde]

You’re most welcome! Thanks for stopping by :)

[JustaDumbBlonde]

"It’s easy to read, for a change."

You were the first person I thought of when I saw the new map and legend. :)

[JustaDumbBlonde]

"SEE, SEE, THERE REALLY IS AGW, THEY HAD TO RE-DO THE MAP!"

If these foolish people were as well read as they believe, they would know that the environment changes from time-to-time. Apparently extremes in either direction that give us 'averages' means nothing to them.

I remember when I entered my teens in the 70's and they were predicting that we were all gonna freeze.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

How much rain did y'all get out of that mass of storms last night/today? We got 2-1/2 inches yesterday evening in a very short period of time. Didn't need it right now, but I'm not going to complain considering how far behind we are in rainfall.

Got a little rough here, and it was the first really good thunder/lightning show that we've had in at least a year. I had almost forgotten what it was like.

[FreedomPoster]

We're about the same age; I remember that too.

[JDoutrider]

Great resource/thread JADB!

Bookmark!

[Red_Devil 232]

We got some good steady rain early today then it cleared up later in the day. I don’t understand Cashmere, she seems to enjoy just walking around in the rain and coming in all dripping wet! I think it has to do with me getting her to stop and get rubbed down and dried of with a towel before she is allowed to walk around in the house! Spoiled Child!

[Bon of Babble]

Thanks for the info.

Still, the best thing to do is what my local gardening column advises — walk around your neighborhood to see what grows! And, that’s exactly what I do. Whenever I walk my dogs, I make a mental note of what is blooming, what is healthy, what looks good.

Saves a lot of money, time and effort because often what is in the local nurseries around here looks great but doesn’t grow well here. We also have terrible terrible, hard-packed clay soil that needs heavy amendment.

Still, after 20 years, my yard looks pretty good and I have flowers all year around — my neighbor is about to declare war, said his wife keeps asking why THEIR yard can’t look like mine.

Gardening is the best stress relief there is!! Good to get your hands in the dirt, pull a few weeds, shovel up some rocks and dirt.

And the thrill of success.. there’s nothing like it!!

Now, give me some hints about keeping CATS out of my flower beds (I have two cats myself) — DOGS too (two dogs). Love my animals but don’t like my beds dug up!!

[Bon of Babble]

Send the rain our way!!

We are having another brown winter in Southern California — too warm weather along with drying winds, 80+ degrees today and tomorrow. The water police patrol my neighborhood every morning looking for violations of water rationing — wet sidewalks, sprinklers turned on on the wrong days.

The worst part of warm weather this time of year is that it forces your fruit trees to bloom — then when the rain or cold weather returns, all the blossoms fall off ruining your crop for the year.

Time to do a rain dance!!