USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Update
It’s been over a decade since the USDA has updated these gardening zones! Most of Houston has changed from Zone 9A to Zone 9B. Lets get into what this means.
If you haven’t heard of this map before, this is the national standard created by the U.S.’s Department of Agriculture. It is used to help growers across the country determine what plants can survive the coldest winter temperatures based on their location.
The new map is a collaboration between Oregon State University’s PRISM Climate Group and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. It incorporates data from 13,412 weather stations across the country (far more than the previous map).
The map is divided into 13 zones with each representing a 10° (Fahrenheit) range. Zone 1 being the coldest, and zone 13 being the warmest. Each zone is further divided into half zones designated as ‘a’ and ‘b’. For example, 9a and 9b vary by 5° (Fahrenheit), and zone 9a is cooler than zone 9b.
The previous map used weather data from 1976-2005.
As I am sure many of us have been able to feel over the last few years - it is getting hotter, and this research confirms it. As a whole, the U.S. has experienced an overall temperature increase of about 2.5 ° (Fahrenheit).
Since science is now confirming what we feel, we can use this info while planting our gardens!
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HOUSTON
The new designation gives us a little more wiggle room as we make decisions around what plants will weather Houston winters.
This is especially important for plants we use in landscaping when determining if the plant will be an annual or perennial. It’s most helpful in telling us if a plant can survive the winter in Houston and make a comeback on its own in spring and less helpful in letting us know which plants will do well in the hottest months of summer, unfortunately.
Keep in mind when you are shopping for plants and seeds, that the map pictured on the tag or packet will be changing to the new zone designations!
Want to see if your growing zone has changed? Go to USDA’s Map Downloads and type in your zip code. We’ve noticed several areas around Houston have shifted zones!
HELPFUL LINKS
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