Understanding Growing Zones Using A Hardiness Zone Map

Believing the myths can stifle gardeners, causing them to be fearful or stop growing certain crops (regardless of if they live in zone 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9). I want to help you apply growing zones correctly because it can really help you as a gardener!

Whether you want to plant a fruit tree or start a vegetable garden, let’s simplify things and dispel all the myths surrounding growing zones!

To find your exact growing zone, use the USDA plant hardiness zone map. Follow the link and enter your zip code in the search box at the top of the map. You can then zoom in or out and click and drag the map to find your exact location.

Match the color that shades your location to the map key on the right-hand side of the page. This will tell you your growing zone.

Now that you know your zone, you can look at the hardiness zone recommendations when you are shopping for plants or seeds. This information tells you if that plant will likely survive winters in your climate.

You Can’t Grow That!

A common growing zone misconception I hear is gardeners claiming that you can’t grow perennial crops that are not recommended for your growing zone. In reality, you can grow any crop you want in any growing zone, just don’t expect them to survive the winter.

A prime example is that I grow artichokes in zone 6a. Artichokes are known as tender perennials with a survivability range of zones 7 to 11. But that doesn’t mean I can’t grow them! I was able to grow and harvest artichokes in a single season. The winter cold killed the plant, but I still enjoyed fresh home-grown artichokes!

Another crop that I grow is rosemary. It will sometimes survive the winter weather that 6a throws at it, but its survivability range is closer to 6b or 7. While it may or may not overwinter in my zone, I can grow it, enjoy it, and replant if needed.

Growing Perennials Indoors

You can also grow perennial crops with survivability outside of your growing zone by bringing them indoors during the winter! I grow citrus in containers in growing zone 6a and they are sitting near a sunny window, just loving life.

These plants are grown outside in the heat of the summer and brought indoors before the weather gets too cold for them. Here are some other crops that you might want to grow this way:

• Cacti - Cactus is fun to grow, adding texture and color to any space.

• Dragonfruit - MIgardener has 3 stunning varieties of dragonfruit for you to try: Purple Dragonfruit, Yellow Dragonfruit, and White Dragonfruit.

• Coffee - Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world, and now you can grow your own!

• Banana Trees - How fun would it be to grow your own bananas in containers?!

Cold Hardy Varieties

When you don't think a crop will survive in your zone, some varieties may! There are quite a few crops with cold-hardy variants! Not every variety in a subset will follow the same hardiness rule. There are outliers, and some may be more cold-hardy.

Some examples are:

• Figs - While any other fig variety would die in my zone, the Chicago Cold Hardy fig can tolerate zone 5, and we’ve been growing it for years.

• Almonds - Almond trees are typically grown in zones 7 to 9, but Hall’s Hardy Almond tree is known to withstand cold winters down to zone 5.

• Pomegranates - The Russian pomegranate can tolerate zone 5 or 6, no problem, while other pomegranate varieties would die below zone 8.

• Avocados - Avocados grow in very warm climates, but there are several varieties that tolerate colder weather.

Ask your local agricultural extension or local farmers (or even other gardeners) who have been growing in your area to get a better understanding of how certain varieties might fare. Do your research to find those unique varieties so that you can grow bigger!