USDA Updates Key Map

[public hermit]

It's called the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "plant hardiness zone map," and it's the national standard for gardeners and growers to figure out which plants are most likely to survive the coldest winter temperatures in their location.

This week the map got its first update in more than a decade, and the outlook for many gardens looks warmer...Many of the nation's gardeners are not surprised by the change.

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/17/1213600629/-it-feels-like-im-not-crazy-gardeners-arent-surprised-as-usda-updates-key-map

Yep. I have seen the difference. Thank goodness it has nothing to do with climate change.

 

[PloverWing]

According to the new map, my town has moved from 7a to 7b.

 

[public hermit]

According to the new map, my town has moved from 7a to 7b.

Same. I have felt like starting my spring garden earlier. Who knows?

 

[Pommer]

View attachment 339407

It's called the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "plant hardiness zone map," and it's the national standard for gardeners and growers to figure out which plants are most likely to survive the coldest winter temperatures in their location.

This week the map got its first update in more than a decade, and the outlook for many gardens looks warmer...Many of the nation's gardeners are not surprised by the change.

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/17/1213600629/-it-feels-like-im-not-crazy-gardeners-arent-surprised-as-usda-updates-key-map

Yep. I have seen the difference. Thank goodness it has nothing to do with climate change.

Is the old one still available for comparison’s sake?

 

[ozso]

I don't think there's much debate that the climate is changing, but rather how much of that change is being caused by us, and how severe it is.

 

[PloverWing]

Is the old one still available for comparison’s sake?

This page says it's based on the 2012 map:

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones

www.fs.usda.gov

 

[durangodawood]

I don't think there's much debate that the climate is changing, but rather how much of that change is being caused by us, and how severe it is.

People used to deny it because of political commitments. but thats not tenable anymore.

 

[Pommer]

2012

2023