Well...duno what happened to my post from last nite.......not here...???? But had said I didn't know.....so much appreciated for the heads up Not all of us are as in tune as to what's going on. And in my case, I already sit right on the cusp of 7a & b...it may affect me a bit. Cant find pic of VA map I can zoom in to see yet). But if nothing else..it WILL affect shipping time for mail order in some areas. So thanks again If this post has funky typos....its cuz GW. site and tablets don't get along too well I'm guessing.......or maybe just me with learning curve...lol But can't bear to go into house. On porch using it, enjoying first gentle spring rain....yeahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

It surprises me how many people still don't understand the idea behind a climate zone map, including those who should know better. We had an article in our local paper today about the new USDA map (which puts most of Ohio in zone 6). They interviewed a manager at our largest (and best) nursery in central Ohio (which was previously placed on the border between zones 5 and 6 and is now all zone 6). He said he was continuing to tell customers that we are in zone 5, because we're still going to have extreme winters or severe storms from time to time. That's not the point of climate zones, which are determined by the average winter low temperature. If zone 6 gardeners see an wintertime low on average of -5F but are faced every decade or so by a drop to -20F, they are still in zone 6, not the border between zones 4 and 5. A severe cold snap might damage or kill susceptible plants (depending on site, drainage and snow cover) but it doesn't make sense to garden with these extremes in mind. Of course you could play it safe and only use plants that are semi-guaranteed to be rock-hardy in your area, but you'll miss out on a lot of great things. If (for example in my area) you get years of enjoyment from a Nandina or crepe myrtle but it eventually succumbs to a hard winter, you're still ahead of the game.

Hey...thanks for the heads up. I was not aware of it and being that I'm right on the VA coast and think I'm 7b but could never tell since I'm in a little tiny transitional spot on that darn tiny map (LOL), then I may have changed. Am trying to find a map that I can zoom in on with my tablet but not yet, so can't tell. However, when I googled it, did find various links to other maps that you CAN zoom in on, however it's quite blurry. But also links to specific states, sometimes via a local paper, such as NJ, WS, oh....and now I just found VA. I goggled the subject but added "for VA". I'm still 7b but that's still very important info !!!

Most confusing. I googled Climate Zone Map USA, and I got the average annual LOW temp from Natl Arbor day, and not what I'd consider anything different than the typical stuff anywhere else in the results. Is there a place which rates my CLIMATE? I am one mile south of the terminus of I-65 where it junctions with I-10. Lat. 30-37'North Lon. 88-04'West or less specifically, zip code 36605 Would my county agent be likely to provide that info? I found the AHS Heat Zone Map (linked below) and it says I am in heat zone 8 with between 90 and 120 days above 86F. It seems Mobile Bay might be moderating our heat days somewhat, because all around the two bay-fronting counties is zone 9, with 120 to 150 above 86F days. I never realized they had the pie sliced so many ways. Here is a link that might be useful: