Using the Planting Zone Map
The US planting zone map divide is method used to determine which plants will survive in your climate.
Divided into 11 zones based on average minimum temperature, this is a standard measure that gardeners use when figuring out which plants will survive the winter in their area.
Plants that are too fragile for your zone, according to the planting zone map, need to be planted as annuals. These will die each fall and then you have to go and buy more every spring!
Plants that will survive are called perennials - they come back each year. Needless to say, if you are in a warm climate, you have a larger selection of plants that you can enjoy year round although some bulbs need a cold winter to bloom again in spring and those would work best in colder climates and may not bloom in the warmer climates at all.
Buy Flowers According To Your Planting Zone Map At Our Recommended Merchants - Click Here For Links
When buying bulbs or plants, you can refer to the planting zone map to figure out which zone you are in. Any online store or catalog will refer to these zones so it is easy to figure out just what to buy. Of course, if you are buying from a local merchant, they will be able to tell you what is best for the area.
When using the planting zone map for your garden, remember that within each zone there can be variations due to geographical location such as valleys, lakes, mountains, windy areas etc... All these can effect the minimum temperature in your yard.
Planting flowers and plants depends heavily on the frost dates in your area as well as the average lows. Most areas have a date when the last possible frost of the year will occur and one when the earliest possible frost will come in fall. These dates do tie into the planting zone map and you need to be aware of those in your area so that you don't plant too early and have your fragile flowers die!
Zone 1 - is the uppermost northern part of the US and susceptible for frost all year round. Chances are you won't be doing much gardening here!
Zone 2 - can have the last frost up to May 31 and the first frost as early as August 1. Average low temp = -45
Zone 3 - can have the last frost up to May 31 and the first frost as early as September 30. Average low temp = -35
Zone 4 - can have the last frost up to May 30 and the first frost as early as September 30. Average low temp = -25
Zone 5 - can have the last frost up to April 30 and the first frost as early as October 30. Average low temp = -15
Zone 6 - can have the last frost up to April 30 and the first frost as early as October 30. Average low temp = -5
Zone 7 - can have the last frost up to April 30 and the first frost as early as October 30. Average low temp = 5
Zone 8 - can have the last frost up to March 30 and the first frost as early as November 30. Average low temp = 15
Zone 9 - can have the last frost up to Feburary 28 and the first frost as early as December 30. Average low temp = 25
Zone 10 - can have the last frost up to January 30 and the first frost as early as December 30. Average low temp = 35
Zone 11 - No frost all year!
| 
