They say we're a 6 but I'm not buying it.

Surprisingly, except for when that map was first released, I haven't heard any buzz about it. All the magazines still use the old maps, I haven't seen any professionals referring to the new map.

Although this winter we are at least experiencing a zone 7 here so far.

Tricia, where is this map? All of the maps I've seen put me in 6b on the shore.

Here's the map...

Also, if memory serves me correct...don't these temperatures mean that 7 out of 10 years will be within these ranges. They're not saying it will NEVER get colder. They've got 16 years of data to back up the new map. Everybody's site will, of course, vary due to individual circumstances. So, if you're in a cold pocket...you're in a cold pocket & that probably hasn't changed.

Here is a link that might be useful: 2003 USDA Zone Map

Not sure, but imagine there's a lot of political stuff floating around these changes...I'd heard a couple years back that the map's release had been delayed because of the warming it shows. That's why there's 16 years' data on this one instead of the normal 12 years.

I think common sense applies to this new map just as it does for the old map. If you're planting an expensive, long-lived tree...plant at least a zone colder than you expect to see. But, if you're putting in less expensive perennials, etc...might be fun to try some experimenting...hence my planting of jasmine for this spring season.

Looks like I'm still zone 6 and I agree that is an accurate classification. So far this winter has probably been a zone 7 but not the last two. The temps I get at my house are usually a bit higher than what I see being reported nearby. One of the reasons for this (I think anyway) is I live behind a strip mall and the heat from those buildings keeps me a few degrees warmer-a microclimate of sorts.

Sue

We seem to toggle back and forth between zone 5 and zone 6. Whatever the map says, planting for zone 5 is a necessity. If zone 6 plants can handle temperatures below -10F year after year, they aren't really zone 6 plants.

Where the problem is going to be is that further from the river, there are frost pockets that have always locally been considered zone 4. Those have previously always been zone 5. A friend who lives in one of those said she saw -19F on the thermometer in December. During the same cold snap we only saw -2F. She has also been moved to zone 6. The worst part of that is I know they have a data station in one of those places.

I would not take such subtle changes very seriously. First of all, you only have to go back two years (January 2004) to see slightly below zero temperatures (-3) along the entire south coast of New England from Bridgeport all the way to Block Island and Nantucket. That would be zone 6. Granted, it does not happen every year in those areas, but still, there is a bigger problem with the zone map. It does not say anything about the persistence of very cold temperatures in normal winters. Extreme southern New England rarely goes below zero (hence the zone 7 designation on that map) but temperatures in the single numbers above zero, with wind, are not that uncommon during most winters. So technically, that would be zone 7. But don't mistake that with zone 7 in Virginia, for example, where the frequency of that kind of cold is MUCH LESS. They can grow many plants reliably that simply don't do well in "zone 7" New ENgland, because of this effect. Remember, every morning could drop to 1 degree above zero, and that would still, technically, be a zone 7 winter according to the map. But, that would kill a lot of plants. So, you can try planting more tender shrubs and trees for fun, but I really don't think they will grow well over the long term. Frequency of cold is equally important as the absolute low temperature reached. BUt, to lift your spirits, check out the current forecast for Fairbanks Alaska. It will make you feel very very warm.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fairbanks Forecast

The Fairbanks forecast keeps mentioning "dense ice fog". I'm not sure I want to know what that means ....

Claire

I couldn't resist googling ice fog. Think very, very cold smog in Fairbanks.

A scary quote is

"During a cold snap, most people in Fairbanks yearn for the magic moment when the temperature warms to about minus 30, the point at which ice fog dissolves to become water vapor."

Claire

Here is a link that might be useful: Alaskan Ice Fog

Brr. I guess it's not so cold here.

Well said, Rockman, re: sustained cold vs. once-in-a-while cold.

Check out the daily high and low temperature for Fairbanks this month. It will make you feel even warmer!

Here is a link that might be useful: Daily high and low-Fairbanks

My zone changed from 6 to 5 but I don't believe it. In the past, I've tried to cheat and plant zone 6 plants and never had much luck.

Rockman50 - I've been to Fairbanks in July and even then it wasn't very warm. What scared me about the place was all the stores had electrical outlets next to each parking spot. Apparently you plug in your engine block warmer in while parked during the winter. I guess even running into the store for a few minutes can freeze your engine solid so you can't start it again! Seeing your temperature chart makes you know why they need this.

Remember also that many properties have microclimates. I have at least 5 variations on my 75 x 400 tunnel property! I stay with the old mapping and like others go one zone colder for expensive slow growing things.

Personally, after losing many plants a couple winters ago, (extra cold no snow cover) I plant according to lower zone 5, as I am on the border. This winter has been unusually warm, but there is also less snow cover. As treeskate stated, watch out for those microclimates.

I used to be a Zone 5B in Eastern CT- now a zone 6 with the new map. All of coastal CT is a zone 7- and the zone 7 goes as far north as Middletown. The climate is growing warmer- sure there will be some winters that may revert to the old map- but climate change/global warming is something that is happening- so the new map seems totally appropriate.
This winter has been mild- easily a zone 7- I would not however plant species that are borderline here yet- perhaps in 10 years those borderline plants will do ok.