Get to know your regional growing zones and average local frost dates. In this post, you’ll learn what they are, why they’re important, and how to use them for vegetable garden success.
What Are Growing Zones and Why Are They Important?
Growing zones (also called plant hardiness zones) were determined so gardeners and growers can have better success with plants surviving their area’s average lowest temperatures. This information is important to know when you’re preparing to plant annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs.
Here’s How to Find Your Growing Zone
The United States Department of Agriculture’s map of growing zones is a useful guide based off of annual minimum temperatures that were collected over a 30 year period. Gardeners and growers across the country use this map as the standard for knowing which plants will survive in each area.
Visit the United States Department of Agriculture’s interactive map of our country’s growing zones. You can type in your zip code to get a more detailed look at your zone.
How to Use Growing Zone Information for a Home Garden
When you are looking for food-producing perennials to add to your home garden, be sure to find out if they will withstand the winter climate of your growing zone. Local greenhouses usually stock native plants or other plants that are known to be hardy to their surrounding area. Start looking for new additions to add to your garden by shopping local!
Listed below are a few ideas of perennial herbs, fruits, and vegetables that could do well in your home garden depending on your growing zone.
Herbs:
- Chives
- Garlic
- Lavender
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Sage
- Thyme
Vegetables:
- Asparagus
- Rhubarb
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Radicchio
Fruits:
- Apples
- Cherries
- Goji Berries
- Grapes
- Citrus Trees
- Strawberries
- Pears
- Peaches
- Raspberries
Frost Dates of the United States
Once you know your growing zone, it is vital to understand the first and last frost dates for your area. When a frost (which occurs at temperatures of 32° or below) hits sensitive vegetation, it causes the water inside the plant cells to freeze and expand, rupturing the cells and potentially disrupting your garden season.
Talk to a local gardener or look up your frost dates by zip code at The National Gardening Association for the most detailed frost date information. Frost dates aren’t guaranteed, however, and you should pay attention to the weather forecast after you plant your garden. If a frost is on the way, the best way to protect your plants from the cold is by covering them lightly with fabric throughout the night.
How to Use Frost Date Information For a Vegetable Garden
When you want to grow annuals, you need to know the average length of your growing season. All you need to do is count the number of days between your last frost date in the spring and your first frost date in the fall. If your season lasts 120 days, all of your plants will need to be full grown and harvested in that amount of time.
Listed on every seed packet, catalog, and plant tag at your local garden center will be the estimated days until harvest. Varieties can vary greatly, so find one that will be ideal for your growing season.
Onions are an exception, as you should choose them based on the average amount of daylight your area receives each day. Check out this article and map about choosing onions from Johnny’s Seeds.
Related Posts
- How to Do Sun Mapping
- Get to Know the Soil in Your Garden
- Vegetable Garden Design: How to Find Inspiration
Save This Post on Pinterest!
