This article will help you learn what Planting Zones (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones) are and how they can be used in your gardening. You must know the zone where your garden is or will be located. This information helps determine which plants will survive.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are the first place you should start when planning what plants will go into your garden. Planting zones are general guidelines and will help you determine which plants will survive and which will not. This is only to be used as a starting point and is an excellent resource for gardeners as it tells you exactly what plants will survive in your area.
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Table of Contents
What Are Planting Zones (USDA Plant Hardiness Zones)
The hardiness zone you live in is a geographical area representing the average lowest temperature of every winter. It is essential to know if you plan on planting certain types of plants in your garden.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones can be used to predict which plants will survive in a garden. There are actually 13 Plant Hardiness Zones. Plant hardiness zones are primarily used to determine how many days your plants will be frost-free. Still, they can also determine how far south you can grow certain plants.
Many factors determine the USDA Zone in a specific area. The most important ones are the average minimum temperature for your locality and the duration of the cold period (which determines when plants may start growing again after winter). Other contributing factors include precipitation, cloud cover, and sunlight hours (how much warmth plants are exposed to).
How To Find Your Plant Hardiness Zone
To know what Plant Hardiness Zone you live in, you can use the interactive map on this USDA site. Type in the area’s ZIP code that you wish to plant a garden or outdoor landscape, and your zone number will show up. You can download this map from the USDA site. You can also select a map specific to your region.
You can also find your planting zone by entering your zip code on the Arbor Day Foundation website.
According to the USDA, all zones have been divided into 10-degree segments. Every number is represented by a color. Knowing which zone is your garden in can help you determine whether or not you will need to keep your plantings indoors during the winter season. [1]
Planting Zone (Plant Hardiness Zone) Maps
Common Plants That Grow Well In Certain Planting Zones
The table below shows the edible plants that are best to grow and survive in certain Plant Hardiness Zones.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones can be used to determine which plants can survive in your location. Based on your hardiness zone, several choices of plants may work well in your garden.
| Planting Zones | Minimum Average Temperature (oF) | Minimum Average Temperature (oC) | Fruit Trees and Berries That Grow Well | Vegetables and Herbs That Grow Well |
| Zone 1 | -60 to -50oF | -51 to -45oC | Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Broccoli, Brussels, Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach | |
| Zone 2 | -50 to -40oF | -45 to -40oC | Apple Trees Pear Trees Plum Trees Raspberries | Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cauliflower, Chard, Dill, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Peas, Parsley, Potatoes, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Turnips |
| Zone 3 | -40 to -30oF | -40 to -34oC | Apple Trees Cherry Trees Plum Trees Pear Trees Raspberries Strawberries | Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Cauliflower, Chard, Dill, Escarole, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Peas, Parsley, Potatoes, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Spinach, Summer Squash, Turnips |
| Zone 4 | -30 to -20oF | -34 to -28oC | Apple Trees Cherry Trees Plum Trees Pear Trees Grapes Raspberries Strawberries | Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Cauliflower, Chard, Dill, Escarole, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Peas, Parsnips, Parsley, Potatoes, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Spinach, Summer Squash, Turnips |
| Zone 5 | -20 to -10oF | -28 to -23oC | Apple Trees Plum Trees Peach Trees Pear Trees Grapes Raspberries Strawberries | Most of the herbs, Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Okra, Onions, Peas, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Turnips |
| Zone 6 | -10 to 0oF | -23 to -17oC | Apple Trees Cherry Trees Pear Trees Plum Trees Peach Trees Grapes Blueberries Blackberries Raspberries Strawberries | Asparagus, Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Dill, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet potatoes, Turnips, Tomatoes |
| Zone 7 | 0 to 10oF | -17 to -12 oC | Apple Trees Apricot Trees Cherry Trees Fig Trees Nectarine Trees Pear Trees Plum Trees Peach Trees Persimmon Trees Currants Grapes Blueberries Blackberries Raspberries Strawberries | Asparagus, Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Dill, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet potatoes, Turnips, Tomatoes |
| Zone 8 | 10 to 20oF | -12 to -6oC | Apple Trees Apricot Trees Cherry Trees Fig Trees Grapefruit Trees Lemon Trees Nectarine Trees Orange Trees Pear Trees Plum Trees Peach Trees Persimmon Trees Currants Grapes Blueberries Blackberries Raspberries Strawberries | Most herbs and vegetables. The best ones are: Asparagus, Arugula, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet potatoes, Turnips, Tomatoes |
| Zone 9 | 20 to 30oF | -6 to -1oC | Apple Trees Avocado Trees Apricot Trees Banana Trees Cherry Trees Fig Trees Grapefruit Trees Lemon Trees Lime Trees Nectarine Trees Orange Trees Pear Trees Plum Trees Peach Trees Persimmon Trees Tangerine Trees Currants Grapes Blueberries Blackberries Raspberries Strawberries | Most of the herbs and vegetables. The best ones are: Asparagus, Arugula, Beans, Beets, Basil, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Dill, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Tomatoes, Watermelons |
| Zone 10 | 30 to 40oF | -1 to 4oC | Apples, Avocados, Apricots, Bananas, Coconuts, Cherrys, Dragon Fruits, Figs, Grapefruits, Jackfruits, Kiwis, Lemons, Limes, Lychees, Mangos, Nectarines, Oranges, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Papayas, Peaches, Passion Fruits, Persimmons, Starfruits, Tangerines, Currants, Grapes, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Gooseberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Strawberries | Most of the herbs and vegetables. The best ones are: Asparagus, Beans, Basil, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Dill, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Rocket, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Tomatoes, Watermelons. |
| Zone 11 | 40 to 50oF | 4 to 10oC | Apples, Avocados, Apricots, Bananas, Coconuts, Cherrys, Dragon Fruits, Figs, Grapefruits, Jackfruits, Kiwis, Lemons, Limes, Lychees, Mangos, Nectarines, Oranges, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Papayas, Peaches, Passion Fruits, Persimmons, Starfruits, Tangerines, Currants, Grapes, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Gooseberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Strawberries | Most of the herbs and vegetables. The best ones are: Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Basil, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Dill, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kai Choy, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Rocket, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Tomatoes, Watermelons. |
| Zone 12 | 50 to 60oF | 10 to 15oC | Apples, Avocados, Apricots, Bananas, Coconuts, Cherrys, Dragon Fruits, Figs, Jackfruits, Kiwis, Lemons, Limes, Lychees, Mangos, Nectarines, Oranges, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Papayas, Peaches, Passion Fruits, Persimmons, Starfruits, Tangerines, Currants, Grapes, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Gooseberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Strawberries | Most of the herbs and vegetables. The best ones are Arugula, Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Basil, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Dill, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kai Choy, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Rocket, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Tomatoes, Watermelons, Zucchini. |
| Zone 13 | 60 to 70oF | 15 to 21oC | Apples, Avocados, Apricots, Bananas, Coconuts, Cherrys, Dragon Fruits, Figs, Jackfruits, Kiwis, Lemons, Limes, Lychees, Mangos, Nectarines, Oranges, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Papayas, Peaches, Passion Fruits, Persimmons, Starfruits, Tangerines, Currants, Grapes, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Gooseberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Strawberries | Most of the herbs and vegetables. The best ones are Arugula, Asparagus, Artichokes, Beans, Beets, Basil, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cucumber, Cabbage, Carrots, Cress, Collards, Celery, Chicory, Cantaloupe, Cauliflower, Chard, Corn, Chives, Dill, Escarole, Eggplant, Endive, Garlic, Kale, Kai Choy, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Leeks, Mustard, Melons, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Pepper, Rocket, Radish, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Rhubarb, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Tomatoes, Watermelons, Zucchini. |
Why It’s Important To Know Your Plant Hardiness Zone Before Planting Anything In The Garden
Suppose you live somewhere with an extremely high or low temperature. In that case, you’re going to want to plant things that naturally grow in a more favorable climate. Planting something outdoors that can’t survive the winter or summer is not only a waste of time but often can be destructive to your yard.
Planting something that requires more sun when you only have shade or planting something that needs more water when you only have dry soil can cause serious problems.
Planting the wrong plant in the wrong zone can cause everything from stunted growth to plant death. That includes perennial plants that live for many years and annuals that come back every year. If you’re just starting out, it’s essential to know that not all plants can grow in all climates.
To avoid wasting time, money, and effort on plants that aren’t suited for your climate, Plant Hardiness Zones can help you determine what plants can survive in your area. Planting according to Plant Hardiness Zones ensures that your plants will grow successfully.
Tips for Using Planting Zones
- Gardeners need to know their Planting Zones to plant new flowers or vegetables successfully. Some plants thrive in warmer climates, while others don’t require frost protection in cold temperatures.
- Knowing your plant’s hardiness zone determines if the plant can survive in different zones, so you’ll need to know where you live before planting anything.
- Planting some climbing vines in a colder climate where there are early frosts can be risky.
- Planting tender plants, trees, bushes, and shrubs too far north might mean they won’t survive.
- Planting trees or shrubs outside of their zone may result in lost leaves, dead branches, and even the death of the plant itself.
- Planting Zones are essential for those who want to grow sustainable or organic vegetables. It protects people from wasting time on plants that can’t survive the climate.
- Planting zones are significant for gardeners in colder climates who want to grow plants that live through the winter.
- For example: if you live in Zone 5, your plants can survive the winter. However, they may not thrive in your area without taking certain precautions, such as covering with mulch or using other protective materials.
What to Do Next
Knowing your Plant Hardiness Zones before planting anything in the ground is essential for any gardener who wants their flora to thrive without worry. Do not waste money on expensive plants and flowers with a slim chance of making it through winter.
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