Hardiness Zone? What is it & how does it affect what you grow.
So, you're ready to grow your food, whether it's on your balcony, windowsill, or tiny backyard. You’ve heard this thing called "planting zones" and wondered, “what does this mean?” The concept is super simple and very useful. Let's break it down together.
What Are Planting Zones?
Planting zones, also called hardiness zones, growing zones, and horticulture growing zones, help you figure out which plants will thrive best in your area based on the climate. Think of them as your guide to avoiding heartbreak when you plant something that tastes amazing but doesn’t survive your local weather.
These zones are set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) (most countries have their own versions). In the U.S., zones range from 1 (coldest) to 13 (warmest). Each number represents the average minimum temperature in the winter. Plants are categorized to tell you what zone they can survive in.
Why Should Urban Gardeners Care?
In urban areas, temperatures can fluctuate wildly—thanks to all the concrete and buildings. So knowing your planting zone helps you pick plants that can handle those weird temperature swings, whether you're growing veggies in a raised bed or herbs on your balcony.
If you plant something outside its zone, it may not survive the winter (or even the summer). Plants adapted to warmer zones will freeze in colder zones, and cold-adapted plants may overheat or wilt in hotter zones.
How to Find Your Planting Zone
It’s a lot easier than you think! You can search planting zones in your city or zip code or click the map below for a quick answer. Here’s a rough idea based on U.S. regions:
If you're in a city, you might be on the warmer side of your zone thanks to the "urban heat island effect," which just means all that concrete makes it hotter than the surrounding rural areas. Make sure you take this into account when you are deciding what foods to grow in your garden. These maps and many more resources can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map website page.
How to Use Planting Zones in Your Urban Garden
Once you know your zone, you'll see it on the plant tags at nurseries or in online descriptions when buying seeds or plants. Look for plants labeled for your zone or lower—meaning if you're in Zone 7, a plant that’s good for Zones 4-7 will work for you. But don’t pick something meant for Zone 9 if you’re in Zone 6. It’s too cold.
Here are a few examples to make it more concrete:
Zone 3-5: Think perennials like mint and thyme or veggies like spinach and carrots, which can handle the cold.
Zone 6-8: Perfect for tomatoes, peppers, and a range of herbs like rosemary and basil.
Zone 9+: Lucky you! You can grow things like citrus trees, bananas, and even avocados! You are also privileged enough to be able to grow most of the plants listed above too!
In urban environments, your microclimate might be a little different, so always observe how the sun hits your space, what wind patterns exist, and whether the temperature is significantly warmer or cooler in certain spots (like against a brick wall). These considerations may seem small but they can be the difference between your food thriving and just surviving.
Planting Zones Aren't Everything!
Keep in mind that planting zones only tell you about cold tolerance. They don't cover things like how much water, sun, or soil type a plant needs, so it’s just one part of the puzzle. It’s always a good idea to do a little research on each plant to make sure you're matching the rest of its needs.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Stress About It!
Urban gardening is all about experimenting and having fun. If you lose a plant here and there, no worries—it’s part of the learning process. Use planting zones as your starting guide, and adapt as you learn more about how your plants respond to your specific urban setup. Soon, you'll be growing thriving herbs, veggies, and flowers that bring life and joy to your city space.
Happy planting!
USDA Hardiness Zone Map courtesy of Oregon State University.
This blog post gives you the essential info without making it feel too technical, right? Do you have a specific plant you’re dying to grow? Let us know. We would love to hear from you! 🌿😊
With Love & Gratitude,
Janet & Jennifer
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