In The Zone - Where You Live Can Impact How You Plant

You have found the most beautiful plants and you know they will add tranquility and peace to your garden and you cannot wait to bring them home and begin planting them. Whether you are an avid gardener or just beginning it is important to know which zone you live in. It would be a shame to purchase your plants only to find out after the fact that they are not suited for the zone you live in.

The United States Agriculture Department (USDA) has formulated a system of hardiness zones to assist people in determining what plants to choose in terms of winter hardiness for their particular location. The average winter low temperatures for a particular area are the basis for zone hardiness. A number system of 1-11 indicates the hardiness zone of a plant with one being the coldest region and 11 the warmest. Therefore it is important when choosing a plant to make certain that it is rated for your zone or for a zone lower in number than your own.

When planning your garden you may also want to consider that there are different climates and frost dates within planting zones in a region, as well as heat zone maps that rate how much heat a particular plant can tolerate. Topography, lakes and rivers, canyons or mountains all affect how a plant will thrive in a particular zone. These conditions can cause changed airflows that can raise or lower the temperature, altering the zone in your area. In addition, soil type and drainage, sunlight exposure, rapid temperature variations, and absolute winter low temperatures can all affect the over-winter survival of a plant.

Along with knowing the zone you live in and which plants will thrive the best in your zone, learn the hardiness rating of the plants you would like to grow. Various plants will not live through harsh winters; others will shrivel up in heat; and some spring-flowering bulbs and trees need a cold period to encourage their growth cycles. Plants more often than not survive the cold better in a dry area. Broad-leafed plants tolerate more exposure, and the summer heat. Evergreens favor a sheltered area with more humidity, and cooler summers.

Plants zoned for specific areas may flourish quite well in other locations. If that is the case, does it really make since to purchase only plants that thrive best in your zone? Yes, the zone guidelines will give you an overall estimate of whether a particular plant will grow or come back in a specific area. If you find that you absolutely want a plant that is not zoned for your area, you may consider a few techniques:

Plant in protected areas

Apply extra mulch after the plant is dormant

Protect the plants from winter winds and winter sun

Further complicating the determining factor of which zone you are located in are microclimates. If you live in a region where there are lots of thermal belts, together with hilltops, natural depressions and canyons, your climate may be to some extent milder or slightly more severe than that of a neighbor's a considerable distance away. A house, a row of trees, a fence can all affect microclimates.

Mistakes that consumers commonly make often result from impulse buying (what looks appealing at the nursery) and a simple lack of planning and knowledge. Some common mistakes that you can steer clear from about plant selection can be avoided with a bit of knowledge regarding the:

Growth, habits, and characteristics of specific plants

Size plants reach at maturity

Light requirements

Heat and wind tolerance

Soil preferences

Knowing your zone

In summary, when the time has come for you to begin purchasing the plants for your garden, do a bit of homework and learn about the growth habits and characteristics of the plants you are interested in. The sales person at the nursery will be able to assist you if you have any questions. If you do not already own one consider purchasing a plant encyclopedia that you can take with you as you walk through the nurseries this will save you a great deal of time, money, and frustration as you avoid purchasing those plants that will not thrive in your zone.