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How to Know What Planting Zone You Live In
How to Know What Planting Zone You Live In. If you are a novice gardener, you might be somewhat confused about the different planting zones. They are officially determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and they are intended to inform people who are interested in gardening about the perennial plants most likely to survive in particular...
If you are a novice gardener, you might be somewhat confused about the different planting zones. They are officially determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and they are intended to inform people who are interested in gardening about the perennial plants most likely to survive in particular areas. The Department of Agriculture gathers information from different spots in order to determine the lowest temperature that can be registered in a particular area. The zone chart they have developed divides the entire country into areas by the lowest temperature, and each division is assigned a different number. The lower the number, the colder the winters in that area.
Things You'll Need
Gardening reference book
Official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Local charts of planting zones
There are quite a few maps that will indicate the gardening zone you live in. The most frequently used is the Department of Agriculture's Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Use it for finding out quickly your particular planting zone. If you prefer books, the "National Garden Book" can guide you through different zones from west to east. The maps are based on the average temperatures of the different zones, and the more detailed they are, the quicker you will find your planting zone.
Visit local garden centers to find out more about the types of plants suitable for the area, about your soil type and the climate of the area.
Choose the plants that you want to grow in your garden according to the zone in which you are living. You can easily learn what these are from the plant descriptions on the plant labels and in most of the gardening catalogs. Pay attention to the indications from the catalogs for the new plants, since they are not always accurate.
Subscribe to your favorite gardening magazine, where you will get specific information about your area and plenty of information about gardening processes as well. Check out the gardening clubs in your area, and get acquainted with the members who can offer information about their own planting experiences in the area.
