Sometimes called “growing zones” or “gardening zones,” USDA plant hardiness zones refer to areas of a map developed by the ...

A hardiness zone is a geographic area with a similar average minimum temperature. The map is based on the average annual extreme minimum temperature, so people in those areas know which plants can ...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a Plant Hardiness Zone Map that divides the U.S. into 13 different zones, which helps gardeners choose plants that can survive in their respective ...

The USDA bases its plant zone maps on average minimum temperature so people in each zone know which plants can best withstand their local weather. For example, a tropical plant that needs 40 ...