What to Plant in Your USDA Zone
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 13 zones based on minimum winter temperatures. Your zone determines which vegetables thrive, when to plant, and how long your growing season lasts.
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Extreme cold with very short growing seasons. Interior Alaska. Snow cover persists well into spring.
Very cold winters with 10-12 weeks of growing season. Northern Minnesota, Montana, parts of Alaska.
Cold winters, moderate summers. Upper Midwest, northern New England, parts of the Rockies.
Cold winters with a solid 4-month growing season. Much of the northern U.S. — Iowa, southern Minnesota, northern Oregon.
Moderate cold winters, 5+ month growing season. Central U.S., southern New England, Pacific Northwest interior.
Moderate climate with 6-month growing season. Mid-Atlantic, central states, Pacific Northwest coast.
Mild winters, long growing season. Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, parts of the Southwest.
Mild climate with 8+ month growing season. Coastal South, Texas, Arizona, Pacific coast.
Year-round growing possible. Gulf Coast, southern Texas, inland California, southern Arizona.
Frost-free most years. Southern Florida, coastal California, Hawaii (lower elevations).
Tropical. Hawaii, southernmost Florida, Puerto Rico. No frost.
Tropical maritime. Coastal Hawaii, US Virgin Islands. Warm year-round.
Hot tropical. Southern Hawaii, equatorial territories. Year-round warmth.
Understanding USDA Hardiness Zones
The USDA zone system is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature. Zone 1 experiences lows of -60°F, while Zone 13 never drops below 60°F. Your zone doesn't just determine which perennials survive winter — it defines your growing season length, planting dates, and which annual vegetables you can realistically grow to maturity.
Most of the continental U.S. falls in Zones 3-9, which support a wide range of vegetables. The biggest differences are in season length: Zone 3 gardeners have about 13 weeks of frost-free growing, while Zone 9 gardeners get 40+ weeks. This directly affects which crops mature in time and how many succession plantings you can fit in.
Microclimates matter too — a south-facing wall, urban heat island, or elevation change can shift your effective zone by one or two numbers. The USDA map is a starting point; your local experience is the best guide.