The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated their “Plant Hardiness Zone Map” this year.  The first update since 1990, this new 2012 version provides greater accuracy and detail.   You can find it here. 

The purpose of the Plant Hardiness Zone Map is to indicate the average annual minimum temperature for each zone.  According to the new map, the Hampton Victory Garden is in zone 6a; prior maps had us in zone 6.  On the old map, our minimum temperature range was between -10 degrees to 0 degrees.  Now, it’s -10 degrees to – 5 degrees.  Is it getting colder on the Seacoast?

Here in New England, almost everything we plant from seed will not survive outdoors over winter without protection, except possibly kale.  So the zone map is really not enough information for planning a successful garden.  Some of the elements not included in the map are summer heat levels, snow cover, length of days, soil moisture, humidity, and frost risk.  For us, the hardiness zone map is lovely to look at but only part of a more complex picture.  During the month of March, I’ll write more about some of the tools you can use to plan your garden.

How do you use plant hardiness zone information in your garden?