Planting zones are broken down into thirteen areas, also known as USDA zones, which cover the entire United States, including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. Each agricultural zone covers a 10-degree range. Zone 1 is the coldest, with an average minimum winter temperature of -60 to -50 degrees F, while the minimum winter average temperature in Zone 13 is 60 to 70 degrees F.
Usda Cold Summer Zip 11
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Plant hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing climates such as drought, flooding, heat and cold. The science behind plant hardiness can be complicated. Plant genetics determine the ability of a plant to withstand cold temperatures without damage. Each cultivar of a plant may have different hardiness levels based on their adaptations and genetics. Even different parts of a plant may be hardy in different ways. For example, the cold may cause your beloved perennial to die; however, the roots might be hardy enough to bring new growth in the spring.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 1 is the coldest zone designation for the United States. With minimum average temperatures between -60 to -50 degrees F, it can be a difficult zone for gardening. The majority of Zone 1 is located in Alaska. This tundra environment is extremely harsh and plants must have extreme cold hardiness and drought tolerance.
Located in both Alaska and the continental United States, planting Zone 2 features extremely cold average minimum temperatures of between -50 to -40 degrees F. These temperatures can present a growing challenge to many gardeners. High winds and drought conditions are found in both the tundra and plains of Zone 2. Planting native plants, growing annuals and using creative planting techniques give gardeners a growing advantage.
Plants in Zone 2 must be able to withstand extreme cold and high levels of drought. Native plants are best adapted to the environment. Annuals are best suited for this zone, but some perennials can be grown when chosen carefully.
There are very few perennial vegetables able to withstand the extreme cold of Zone 2. Although, with added protection, it can be possible to grow asparagus as a perennial. Look for annual vegetables with a short growing season for the best results. In addition to Zone 1 vegetables, consider planting:
Plant hardiness Zone 3 is found throughout Alaska, the northern portions of the United States and in high altitude areas. This zone features minimum average temperatures of -40 to -30 degrees F. Depending on the geographical location of your growing space, high winds, extreme cold and low moisture may affect growing conditions.
The cold minimum average temperatures in Zone 3 limits plant choices to those that have adapted to low temperatures. Most native plants can be grown across the zone, regardless of altitude, as long as growing conditions are similar. The short growing season limits vegetable and flowering annuals, but you can extend the growing season by starting plants indoors or purchasing from a greenhouse.
Planting Zone 4 covers the southern coastal areas of Alaska, northern areas of the United States and high elevations found in the western mountains. These unique climates share minimum average temperatures of between -30 to -20 degrees F. Planting in this zone is less challenging than in colder zones, but the short growing season impacts both vegetables and flower bloom times.
Zone 4 is considered a cool climate suitable for growing plants hardy enough to withstand temperatures well below freezing. To combat the typically short growing season, gardeners can get a head start by starting plants indoors or purchasing starts from a greenhouse. Adding a good layer of mulch and taking preventative winter measures can help some plants survive the cold winters.
Plant hardiness Zone 5 includes the southern coastal region of Alaska, the North Central United States and portions of New England. With minimum average temperatures between -20 and -10 degrees F, this zone experiences a moderately cold winter. While the growing season is short, you can extend it by using cold frames or using started plants in your annual garden.
Zone 5 gardens feature a wide range of environments. From coastal waters and woodlands to the wide plains of the Midwest, plants should not only be cold hardy, but they also need to match the growing environment. Gardens feature longer growing seasons that result in an increased vegetable harvest and extended blooms in landscaping.
Raised beds and row covers help to warm the soil in Zone 5 for a longer growing season. After spring greens are planted, fast-maturing crops are then planted. Depending on your area, some cool season vegetables may be repeated in late summer for a fall harvest, including:
USDA Hardiness Zone 6 covers a large portion of the United States. Known as a generally mild climate, the average minimum winter temperature is between -10 to 0 degrees F. With cold winter and mild-to-hot summers, you have many growing options in Zone 6.
Zone 6 features many plants ideal for gardening and landscaping. Seed companies, nurseries and garden centers offer Zone 6 gardeners countless options. In many areas, spring, summer and fall blooms and vegetables are all possible.
In Zone 6, the extended garden season and hotter summer temperatures make growing a wide variety of vegetables popular. Temperatures remain cool enough for rhubarb and asparagus, but get warm enough for melons and watermelon. Look to plant vegetables according to the length of the growing season. Vegetables that tend to do well are:
Because Zone 6 features distinct seasons of spring, summer and fall, flowers are available and will bloom for several months. In addition to cold hardy flowers such as pansies and snapdragons, extend your growing season by planting:
Frost and early spring cold snaps can damage young vegetables. Providing row covers or cold frames can help protect against early spring or late fall damage. The long, hot summers, combined with the milder winters provide ideal growing temperatures for almost all vegetables. Although artichoke can be grown as an annual starting in Zone 4, in Zone 7 this decorative and edible plant becomes a perennial favorite. Add to your planting list:
Zone 8 is considered one of the warmest plant hardiness zones for a large portion of the southern United States. Extending up the western coast, Zone 8 features average minimum winter temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees F. With hot summers and mild winters, growers typically enjoy a long planting season.
Plants hardy for Zone 8 love mild winters and long, hot summers. With a wide range of moisture and sunlight requirements, growers should narrow down a potential plant list first by zone, and then by specific growing climates.
Many gardeners in Zone 8 grow vegetables three times a year, especially with the aid of cold frames and row covers. Cool weather plants like spinach, lettuce and peas can be grown in both the spring and the fall. Even your summer vegetable harvest can be extended by planting every two weeks. Vegetables that thrive in the summer heat of Zone 8 include:
Zone 8 flowers should be able to stand up to the heat of the hot summers. Providing shade and plenty of moisture can help push your flowers through the hottest of days. Flowers well suited for Zone 8 gardens include:
Planting Zone 9 is considered a year-round planting zone. Located in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida and along the Gulf of Mexico coast, this zone features warm winters and hot summers. With an average minimum winter temperature of 20 to 30 degrees F, Zone 9 features active gardens throughout the entire year.
Long, hot summers and mild winter conditions make the heat more of an issue than the cold in this zone. Tropical plants with low water requirements thrive in Zone 9. Because of the extreme heat, spring gardening begins much earlier and fall gardens produce much longer than in other zones.
Instead of considering the cold hardiness, growers in Zone 9 actually need to consider the heat tolerance of certain plants. Apples, pears, peaches and cherries require colder weather than Zone 9 provides. Instead of these popular fruit options, consider planting the following citrus and tropical fruit trees:
Zone 9 flower gardens will showcase blooms year-round. Cold-hardy plants perform well during the mild winters, while tropical perennials are the centerpieces of long, hot summers. Zone 9 flowering plants include:
Southern inland California, southern Florida and Hawaii are the three small areas where the average minimum winter temperature only falls between 30 to 40 degrees F. The ability of Zone 10 gardeners to avoid freezing temperatures is a huge bonus for winter gardening, but the extreme heat of the summer months limits planting possibilities.
Cool season crops, including lettuces, radishes and peas, can be grown in Zone 10 during the winter with little fear of cold damage. Summer vegetables must be able to handle the long, hot days of summer. Consider including these vegetables in your Zone 10 garden:
Tropical plants are the highlight of Zone 11. With long, hot summers and warm winters, Zone 11 growers need to look for plants that are heat tolerant. Traditionally cold season plants, such as pansies and spinach, will have a limited growing season in the even the coolest part of winter here (which is rarely cold at all). Plants native to the area have the best chance of surviving the heat of summer.
Vegetables often started in late spring or early summer can be planted in late winter in Zone 11. Gardening happens year-round with the rotation of plants according to the temperature. A few cool season vegetables appropriate for winter gardening in Zone 11 include:
Growing herbs in Zone 11 can be difficult because of the extreme heat of summer. Many will not produce seeds due to the heat, so they must be planted as annuals during the cooler months. Some herbs you can begin planting in early spring include:
The mild winters of Zone 11 allow for the growth of many cool season flowers without any worry of frost. However, these flowers usually wither away under the extreme summer temperatures. Flowers able to withstand the long, hot summers of Zone 11 include: 2ff7e9595c
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