changes in hardiness zone map
The National Arbor Day Foundation recently released its own version of the hardiness zone map.
According to a Foundation press release, “The new map reflects that many areas have become warmer since 1990 when the last USDA hardiness zone map was published. Significant portions of many states have shifted at least one full hardiness zone. Much of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, for example, have shifted from Zone 5 to a warmer Zone 6. Some areas around the country have even warmed two full zones. ”
Click here to see an animation showing the changes since 1990.
I am in zone 8 in this map instead of zone 7. The map at the National Arboretum site shows me in 7b.
January 22nd, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
I’m sticking with the USDA map.
The Arbor Day map gives me a warmer zone, and I already know that zone 6 plants will die off here.
I think this new map (and confusion with the USDA zone map, which this does not replace) is going to cause a lot of heartbroken beginning gardeners.
January 22nd, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
Interesting! We were firmly in zone 7 before but now it’s borderline 7/8. The USDA map shows us in 7b but our county agents swear we’re 7a. And I sometimes think our little microclimate is more like zone 6!
January 23rd, 2007 @ 11:27 pm
I think Mine stayed the same. I thought I was in zone 8 and I still am.
January 24th, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
Here in Ohio a little warming trend would help us grow canteloupes and black-eyed peas . . . we can hope!
February 18th, 2007 @ 1:02 am
we are now in zone 7a in Evansville, and since i’m growing palms and live oaks i would tend to believe atleast 7a. The minimum temp in my particular area (next to the ohio river) in the past 3 years was 12F. This is actually a zone 8, and would explain why I can grow these amongst other sub-tropicals.