Most experienced gardeners are familiar with USDA Hardiness Zones, but novices may wonder why they matter. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map helps determine which plants will thrive in your area based on average annual minimum winter temperatures. Updated in November 2023, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University’s PRISM Climate Group refined the map using 30-year averages. Even experienced gardeners should recheck their zones, as temperature patterns have shifted in the last decade.
You can find the updated map here by entering your zip code. Bookmark it for future reference—even seasoned gardeners may need a refresher. The map is especially useful when sending living gifts to friends in different zones. Once you know your zone, visit our Plants by Zone reference page to explore vegetable plants, perennials, and monthly planting recommendations tailored to your area.
Zone-Specific Recommendations
Zone 3
- Growing Season: Short; focus on cold-tolerant plants.
- Vegetables (Plant June 15-30):
- Ambrosia Cantaloupe: Sweet, aromatic melons maturing in 85 days, powdery mildew-resistant.
- Black Beauty Eggplant: Heirloom variety yielding up to 15 glossy fruits per plant.
- Faerie Watermelon: Petite, disease-resistant watermelon maturing in 60 days.
- Perennials:
- Amethyst Dream Centaurea: Frilly, cold-hardy Cornflower blooms in June-July.
- Arizona Sun Gaillardia: Blanket Flower with bicolored orange and yellow petals, blooming spring to fall.
- Caesar’s Brother Siberian Iris: Moisture-loving, deer-resistant iris blooming true blue to purple in June.
Zone 4
- Growing Season: Two distinct plantings (June for summer; July for fall).
- Vegetables:
- Amazing Cauliflower: Self-blanching variety with creamy white heads.
- Avenger Broccoli: Heat-tolerant, dome-shaped heads ready in 60 days.
- Butter Crunch Lettuce: Bolting-resistant, sweet lettuce maturing in 55 days.
- Perennials:
- Airbrush Effect Hardy Hibiscus: Rose Mallow with airbrushed pink petals blooms July-August.
- Alba Armeria: Salt-tolerant Sea Thrift ideal for borders, blooms May-June.
- Aftriplicifolia Perovskia: Bushy Russian Sage with blue spikes, blooming spring to fall.
Zone 5
- Growing Season: May-June for summer; July-August for fall crops.
- Vegetables:
- Aristotle Sweet Pepper: Blocky, thick-walled peppers ready in 70 days.
- Early Girl II Tomato: Indeterminate variety producing all season, matures in 55 days.
- Early Sunglow Sweet Corn: Reliable, sweet corn maturing in 60 days.
- Perennials:
- Amazing Daisies® Daisy May®: Compact Shasta Daisies blooming from May to fall.
- Astra Blue Balloon Flower: Unique, low-growing perennial blooming all summer.
- Balmy™ Purple Monarda: Frilled Bee Balm blooms in June, resistant to deer and mildew.
Zone 6
- Growing Season: Plant May-August for continuous harvests.
- Vegetables:
- Black Beauty Squash: Zucchini heirloom with creamy-white flesh, ready in 50 days.
- Blue Curled Scotch Kale: Heat- and cold-tolerant dwarf variety ideal for kale chips.
- Bush Crop Cucumber: Compact heirloom with excellent disease resistance.
- Perennials:
- Australis Baptisia: False Indigo with violet-blue blossoms, a pollinator favorite.
- Berry Smoothie Heuchera: Coral Bells with striking purple foliage, blooming creamy-white flowers.
- Black Negligee Actaea: Tall, lacy perennial with fuzzy white blooms and dark foliage.
Zone 7
- Growing Season: Plant April-September for extended harvests.
- Vegetables:
- Bloomsdale Spinach: Crinkled leaves with buttery flavor, slow to bolt, maturing in 40 days.
- Blue Lake Pole Bean: High-yielding, stringless beans needing support.
- Connecticut Field Pumpkin: Perfect for carving, 10-20 lb fruits.
- Perennials:
- Beacon Silver Lamium: Semi-evergreen groundcover with silvery leaves and lavender flowers.
- Big Blue Eryngium: Sea Holly with spiky, true-blue flowers, drought-tolerant.
- Biokovo Hardy Geranium: Low-growing Cranesbill blooms spring to fall.
Zone 8
- Growing Season: April-October planting window.
- Vegetables:
- Baby’s Leaf Spinach: Tender, stemless leaves maturing in 35 days.
- Crimson Sweet Watermelon: Large, sweet watermelons with minimal seeds.
- Fireball Radish: Spicy, crisp radishes ready in 20 days.
- Perennials:
- Black Adder Agastache: Fragrant Hummingbird Mint with tall spires of dark buds.
- Banana Cream Leucanthemum: Compact Shasta Daisy with creamy yellow flowers.
- Ballerina Red Armeria: Heat-tolerant Sea Thrift with vivid red blooms.
Zone 9
- Growing Season: March-September for year-round harvests.
- Vegetables:
- Black Cherry Tomato: Heirloom cherry tomatoes with complex flavors.
- Butter King Lettuce: Large, crisp heads resistant to bolting.
- California Wonder Sweet Pepper: Thick-walled, jumbo stuffing peppers.
- Perennials:
- Butterscotch™ Amsonia: Lush foliage with fall colors and blue flowers in spring.
- Border Ballet Kniphofia: Vibrant Red Hot Poker blooms late spring to mid-summer.
- Cara Mia™ Echinacea: Coneflower with whimsical pom-pom-like blooms.
Zone 10
- Growing Season: Year-round planting.
- Vegetables:
- Better Boy Tomato: Award-winning, indeterminate hybrid.
- Dasher II Cucumber: High-quality, gynoecious variety maturing in 50 days.
- Jalapeno M Hot Pepper: Mildly hot, smooth-skinned peppers with a rich flavor.
- Perennials:
- Icicles Helichrysum: Silvery, lacy Licorice plant perfect for borders or containers.
- Incense Passiflora: Exotic Passion Flower with fragrant violet blooms.
- Jacobinia Pink Justicia: Showy Water-Willow shrub with bright pink clusters.
The USDA Hardiness Zone Map, first published in 1927, has evolved significantly. Initially based on plant survival surveys, it now uses climate data to guide gardeners more accurately. While the Old Farmer’s Almanac remains a useful resource for weather predictions, the USDA map is essential for determining plant compatibility.
Combining these tools ensures your garden will thrive year after year!
