What is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map?

The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is produced by the United States Department of Agriculture, and it is the standard by which you can determine which plants are most likely to thrive in any specific location. The map is divided into 10°F sections dependent on the average annual minimum winter temperature.

Learn more: The Best Keystone Plants for Your Region and Zone

Find your zone

The zones identified in Fine Gardening are based on several sources and should be treated as general guidelines when selecting plants for your garden. Many other factors may come into play in determining healthy plant growth. Microclimates, wind, soil type, soil moisture, humidity, snow, and winter sunshine may greatly affect the adaptability of plants. For more information and to zoom in on your area, visit the map at the USDA website, where you can type in your zip code to find out your hardiness zone.

Finding plant hardiness zones

A plant purchased at a nursery or garden center will have the hardiness zone information on the plant tag, if available. If none is available, you can search online for the hardiness zones using the plant name and cultivar, if known.

In this example, the plant tag mentions that Diamond Frost® euphorbia should be considered an annual in all zones except zones 10a–11b, meaning it is not hardy in less temperate zones and will die if exposed to cold or extreme winter weather.

Searching for plant information online

There are many sources online to find plant information including zone, region, and plant care needs. The grower of a cultivar is a great place to start for specific information. Other sites such as the Missouri Botanical Garden have well-established and trustworthy records that can be used for reference.

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Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.

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