For the last 5 years our winters have gotten colder than what used to be the norm. I was zone 7a but they now have me at zone 7b when in “reality” my area minimum has gone to zone 6b, sometimes 6a. Big difference!
The more you think you know, the less you know until you know! This guy is incredible and I have referenced zone maps in my talks for the Mecklenburg County Extension Master Gardener program many times and each time I learn a new twist! This was just another layer of information that I found extremely fascinating - I especially loved the reference to the snow in the yard! Brilliant. Thank you so much Jim for educating the masses, I send your videos to many as a way to inform and teach. You are the best for that and Thank you! 🌱
I will not choose what I plant based on the new map, but the old map gives you some kind of guidelines to follow. I would not plant a palm tree in Anchorage AK. Or a Sitka Spruce in Miami.
I will follow it like I follow the “last frost date”..(with a grain of salt) it’s always been an average not a plant date.. zones are also an average not a survival guarantee
I am actually more concerned about the heat than the cold. Being in southeastern NC, zone 8a, now 8b, I am often on the edge of a plant's growing range. If a plant is hardy zone 4-8, it might not like my high heat and humidity. This year I am going to try to avoid planting in July and August. That time is just too stressful. Gardening is always an experiment.
Yes!!!! This is like a college class right before the final. An absolute WEALTH of information. I almost want to take notes but it clears up some mysteries for me.
Jim, thank you for having Tony Avent share his incredible knowledge regarding the 2023 Horticulture Zone Map update. I always planted as if I lived in Zone 4 (according to the 1990 FDA hardiness zone map) and had success using that as my guide. According to the latest information, I'm now in Zone 5b. When I started using Zone 5a as a guide I've had quite a few plants (trees, shrubs, and perennials) die from winter desiccation in the past several years, so I am going back to purchasing plants hardy to Zone 4. I will probably order the Temperature gun after the holidays. Thanks for providing the link. Blessings to you both.
This is the best video I have seen! Very informational and everyone needs to see it. I’m a MG, horticulturist and arborist and will be sharing this video with everyone I know! Well done!
Thank you so much for this. It's what everyone has been wondering. Gonna be some mad people if they plant and their stuff doesn't survive. Again thank you!
Such important information!! Thank you so much for providing this info! I hope that this clarifies the confusion relating to zone vs soil dehydration and of the necessity of protecting plants from water loss! There are so many factors involved. And I’m especially grateful that you both informed people that plant loss doesn’t mean that the gardener wasn’t a failure; it’s a matter of finding the right balance for each individual plant! Thank you Tony and Jim!!!
I'm sure a lot of people are excited about this. I'd still treat expensive plants like I already did before this change. BUT... I like to put some things I love in the ground even if I'm pushing it. Sometimes these plants will grow fine in a bit colder zone. I think they're worth covering up if it gets unseasonably cold sometimes. Time will tell!
I garden in zone 5A, but it’s not uncommon for the temperature to drop down to -40 degrees and hang out there for days. I remember ten days of -40. I have tried so hard getting zone 5 shrubs and trees to survive their first winter and almost gave up gardening all together thinking I was horrible at it. Now I only purchase things hardy down to zones 3 or 4. My gardens are packed full and thriving.
...Jim, this video was invaluable. There are sooo many variables, as Tony explained, that affect hardiness -- and why. I learned a lot here. 👩🏼🌾💚 =^..^= (central MD, now 7a]
That was fascinating. It makes it a little intimidating to try to think about all of those factors to figure out how to keep plants happy, but your point about "just try it" keeps it from being paralyzing. I've found myself getting much more comfortable moving things as I develop more gardening experience, and most of those moves have brought positive results.
Such great information! It seems so simple when you hear it, but so much harder to plan out in reality. I'm breaking out my thermo gauge ASAP and going around my yard. My neighbors are going to think I've totally lost it! 🤪😁
Def microclimate in my area . I live on the border between two suburbs (2 streets away) and if I plug in my zip code it’s zone 6b and my neighboring suburb 6 a. And prior to usda changes , it’s zone 5 b. Will not be changing my planting habits
o darn you can see microclimates on this map?!! i only do what i know in my house after 5 years lol but is a great resource. Thank you for another awesome video. Never fail to learn something new when I watch you
Thanks for the good information. What is really hurting the shrubs in my landscape is the extreme temperature turns. They are not getting to go to sleep slowly. This fall we had 85 degrees on a Sunday and two nights later we were in the mid 20s with wind. On top of that we were in an extreme drought. The only thing i knew to do was to give everything a good drink so they didn't go into the cold with dry roots.
This is a great video explaining the new zone map. I was able to purchase one of the thermometers on an Amazon lightning deal for less than $13. Thank you so much for all the information 🌲
Great presentation. My zip is 8b. No change. However, I have pretend that I am 9a. I have a very small urban lot. Lots of intense sun. Lived here since 2008. Only seen frost on the ground about 10 times.
Jim, I have a few plants that I've "zone surfed" in my old zone of 7A, but will continue to plant things on the edge only in sheltered spaces...most likely based on my old zone rather than my new Zone 7B classification. 😊
Totally agree an “average” is not an ideal statistic, as it’s pretty one-dimensional. Measures of variation & prevalence would help. One of these days I’m gonna scrape weather data off the web and build a dashboard to show how various weather conditions interact- maybe a winter project 😊
I die a little inside when a plant dies, I get attached. Especially when I've paid premium prices for well grown plants. Excellent discussion gentlemen, it seems to be the rapid temperature changes that hurt plants in north Georgia last winter. Lots of Indian Hawthorne never recovered here. I appreciate Tony addressing soil structure in regards to drainage. I had similar discussions with clients. On a slope doesn't ensure good root drainage if it's solid clay.
As a palm enthusiast growing palms in zone 9a I can give everyone the advice to look at your record lows in the last 30 to 50 years. Better be safe than sorry. If you have plants that you can cover i don't see a problem to zone push it. Also I'd like to point out is that cold hardiness is also impacted by overall health condition . The right amount of water and fertilizer definitely influences the cold hardiness.
this! I'm no green thumb, but I don't know how many arguments have been had [with me or in my earshot] based on misunderstanding 'hardiness' and these maps.
Never mind, question was answered at 8:24. A cycad. It looked like a sago to me. Oh my. Gorgeous. Would love for mine to get that big and green. Mine produces 6 - 7 new leaves and looses the same number of older leaves every year. Another great video. I must watch it many times until all that info is burned into my memory.
I love how Tony says we’ve killed over fifty-thousand plants so nonchalant lol it makes you think well I’m not too bad at gardening I’ve only killed a couple lol
I just planted a pink Muhly in SW Ohio z 6. I didn’t know it was rated zone 6 and up when I bought it. I probably wouldn’t have but I shall see if they survive.
I still don't understand how they come up with the average lows. I've tracked our overnight lows here in Sacramento for three years now and although we're a solid zone 9B temps rarely get below 30. The real average overnight low even during our coldest month in January is like 34. If we averaged 25-30 then we would have a significant amount of freezes which we don't. Maybe some of the rural ag areas of the valley floor but definitely not the suburbs or developed areas. Thst being said we are a cold zone 9B as opposed to the zone 9Bs of central FL or south TX. Our winters although mild are consistently cool from November through March with the threat of frost lingering around into March. Not killing freeze cold but not frost free either. Somewhere in between.
I think the zones went in the opposite direction they should have. I have always been in zone 6 and we have been losing an occasional plant here and there. Using zone 5 plants would give me better insurance. But now they say I’m zone 7a. 🤷🏻♀️ 🤨 I can only guess it’s politically motivated somehow. I’m going to follow the 1990s map like Tony mentioned.
Seems like the 1990's plant zone map is more accurate/beneficial than the current maps. Someone should start a business measuring individual moisture & air temps per a homeowner's individual lot because that seems to be more helpful than the broad-based brush of the plant zoning maps!🤷sigh ........
This was the best explanation for a lot of garden variations. I had no idea snow is an insulation for plants; although I don’t live where it snows. It also explains why I’ve always heard to water your plants before a freeze. Thank you Jim!
It would be my luck to try to start zone pushing exotic stuff the same winter we get the most ideal plant-killing snowless freeze in more than a decade. Kentucky/TN zone 6b7a. Last December we has a snow-free 2.8f min, sub 20f AND no sunlight for 48 hours. It fried English ivy to the ground.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I wish someone would start publishing heat-tolerance maps and information on plants. Cold-hardiness is not the only important survival trait.
This is the best description of plant hardiness and plant hardiness maps that I have ever heard. Thank you for a top-notch presentation.
There's so much knowledge in this video! Thank you for bringing Tony Avent to us, Jim and Stephany.
For the last 5 years our winters have gotten colder than what used to be the norm. I was zone 7a but they now have me at zone 7b when in “reality” my area minimum has gone to zone 6b, sometimes 6a. Big difference!
Man Tony has so much knowledge...I learn so much from Tony everytime you interview him..
Thanks for inviting us along
The more you think you know, the less you know until you know! This guy is incredible and I have referenced zone maps in my talks for the Mecklenburg County Extension Master Gardener program many times and each time I learn a new twist! This was just another layer of information that I found extremely fascinating - I especially loved the reference to the snow in the yard! Brilliant. Thank you so much Jim for educating the masses, I send your videos to many as a way to inform and teach. You are the best for that and Thank you! 🌱
I will not change what I plant based on the USDA map
Neither will I
I will not choose what I plant based on the new map, but the old map gives you some kind of guidelines to follow. I would not plant a palm tree in Anchorage AK. Or a Sitka Spruce in Miami.
I will follow it like I follow the “last frost date”..(with a grain of salt) it’s always been an average not a plant date.. zones are also an average not a survival guarantee
I am actually more concerned about the heat than the cold. Being in southeastern NC, zone 8a, now 8b, I am often on the edge of a plant's growing range. If a plant is hardy zone 4-8, it might not like my high heat and humidity. This year I am going to try to avoid planting in July and August. That time is just too stressful. Gardening is always an experiment.
My brain hurts. Going to have to watch this one a few more times to absorb all the info Tony shared. Super interesting. Thank you!
Yes!!!! This is like a college class right before the final. An absolute WEALTH of information. I almost want to take notes but it clears up some mysteries for me.
Great Colaboration!🌱🌿
ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO JIM! 👏 👏 👏
Great explanation from Tony! Thanks for doing this video!
Jim, thank you for having Tony Avent share his incredible knowledge regarding the 2023 Horticulture Zone Map update. I always planted as if I lived in Zone 4 (according to the 1990 FDA hardiness zone map) and had success using that as my guide. According to the latest information, I'm now in Zone 5b. When I started using Zone 5a as a guide I've had quite a few plants (trees, shrubs, and perennials) die from winter desiccation in the past several years, so I am going back to purchasing plants hardy to Zone 4. I will probably order the Temperature gun after the holidays. Thanks for providing the link. Blessings to you both.
Best information out there for myth busting! Love it! Thank you both so much! 🙌❤️
Jim your questions have been helpful & Tony Averett as always been useful & informative. I'll treasure this moment.
Going to have to look at this several times. Chuck full of credible information!! Thank you!
This is the best video I have seen! Very informational and everyone needs to see it. I’m a MG, horticulturist and arborist and will be sharing this video with everyone I know! Well done!
Thank you so much for this. It's what everyone has been wondering. Gonna be some mad people if they plant and their stuff doesn't survive. Again thank you!
Love videos with Tony! Great information! Thanks for sharing!
Very informative conversation with Tony Avent . Thank you Jim Putnam.
As always love listening to Tony! He has so much knowledge and presents it in easy to understand terms....just like Jim!
I watched this twice to try to absorb all the information. I'm going to watch it a third time and take notes. Thank you for this information!
Me too
Such important information!! Thank you so much for providing this info! I hope that this clarifies the confusion relating to zone vs soil dehydration and of the necessity of protecting plants from water loss! There are so many factors involved. And I’m especially grateful that you both informed people that plant loss doesn’t mean that the gardener wasn’t a failure; it’s a matter of finding the right balance for each individual plant! Thank you Tony and Jim!!!
Pretty much everything I’m thinking and feeling has been already said here so I will just say THANK YOU SO MUCH Tony and Jim
What a great and informative video! I didn’t know most of this and am grateful for you alls efforts in educating gardeners. Thank you!
I'm in zone 7 Greensboro NC -- A long time ago I decide to only purchase plants that cover zone 6 - 8. Much more successful!!
Never have I heard it like this. Great video 💚💚💚
I'm sure a lot of people are excited about this. I'd still treat expensive plants like I already did before this change. BUT... I like to put some things I love in the ground even if I'm pushing it. Sometimes these plants will grow fine in a bit colder zone. I think they're worth covering up if it gets unseasonably cold sometimes. Time will tell!
This was a great Video Jim! Jerry
Thank you! Happy New Year
The new USDA Zone map just dropped and Jim is all over it! :D
So much great information! I love all your videos with Tony Avent.
This was so informative, I learned so much. Thank you both!
Dream Team right there!
I garden in zone 5A, but it’s not uncommon for the temperature to drop down to -40 degrees and hang out there for days. I remember ten days of -40. I have tried so hard getting zone 5 shrubs and trees to survive their first winter and almost gave up gardening all together thinking I was horrible at it. Now I only purchase things hardy down to zones 3 or 4. My gardens are packed full and thriving.
Is the -40 with windchill or true temp? What area are you in that gets down that low but is rated 5a?
...Jim, this video was invaluable. There are sooo many variables, as Tony explained, that affect hardiness -- and why. I learned a lot here. 👩🏼🌾💚 =^..^= (central MD, now 7a]
my zone on the map went up but what it really did was get corrected to what ive always been.
Really great information. Never thought about all of these details. Thank you!
Jim and Tony thank you for this great insight!
Yea, after the holiday freeze last year I am being cautious about plant choices. I lost several that were supposed to be “hardy”.
That was fascinating. It makes it a little intimidating to try to think about all of those factors to figure out how to keep plants happy, but your point about "just try it" keeps it from being paralyzing. I've found myself getting much more comfortable moving things as I develop more gardening experience, and most of those moves have brought positive results.
Wow, such great information! Thank you!
So much helpful information! Thank you so much.
Really informative. Loved this. Thank you so much.
Such great information! It seems so simple when you hear it, but so much harder to plan out in reality. I'm breaking out my thermo gauge ASAP and going around my yard. My neighbors are going to think I've totally lost it! 🤪😁
Wow. I can't believe how much I don't know 😕
Def microclimate in my area . I live on the border between two suburbs (2 streets away) and if I plug in my zip code it’s zone 6b and my neighboring suburb 6 a. And prior to usda changes , it’s zone 5 b. Will not be changing my planting habits
o darn you can see microclimates on this map?!! i only do what i know in my house after 5 years lol but is a great resource. Thank you for another awesome video. Never fail to learn something new when I watch you
Thanks for the good information. What is really hurting the shrubs in my landscape is the extreme temperature turns. They are not getting to go to sleep slowly. This fall we had 85 degrees on a Sunday and two nights later we were in the mid 20s with wind. On top of that we were in an extreme drought. The only thing i knew to do was to give everything a good drink so they didn't go into the cold with dry roots.
This is a great video explaining the new zone map. I was able to purchase one of the thermometers on an Amazon lightning deal for less than $13. Thank you so much for all the information 🌲
Great presentation. My zip is 8b. No change. However, I have pretend that I am 9a. I have a very small urban lot. Lots of intense sun. Lived here since 2008. Only seen frost on the ground about 10 times.
This was helpful.
Interesting point about being able to tease out microclimate neighborhood zones!
Fascinating stuff!
Jim,
I have a few plants that I've "zone surfed" in my old zone of 7A, but will continue to plant things on the edge only in sheltered spaces...most likely based on my old zone rather than my new Zone 7B classification. 😊
Great information! Thank you!!
Great information, thank you
A lot of great information in this video.
Great Info
Totally agree an “average” is not an ideal statistic, as it’s pretty one-dimensional. Measures of variation & prevalence would help. One of these days I’m gonna scrape weather data off the web and build a dashboard to show how various weather conditions interact- maybe a winter project 😊
I die a little inside when a plant dies, I get attached. Especially when I've paid premium prices for well grown plants. Excellent discussion gentlemen, it seems to be the rapid temperature changes that hurt plants in north Georgia last winter. Lots of Indian Hawthorne never recovered here. I appreciate Tony addressing soil structure in regards to drainage. I had similar discussions with clients. On a slope doesn't ensure good root drainage if it's solid clay.
As a palm enthusiast growing palms in zone 9a I can give everyone the advice to look at your record lows in the last 30 to 50 years. Better be safe than sorry. If you have plants that you can cover i don't see a problem to zone push it. Also I'd like to point out is that cold hardiness is also impacted by overall health condition . The right amount of water and fertilizer definitely influences the cold hardiness.
Thank you. So much misinformation out there about this map. I fear this will cause alot of problems especially for newbie gardeners
this!
I'm no green thumb, but I don't know how many arguments have been had [with me or in my earshot] based on misunderstanding 'hardiness' and these maps.
What was the gorgeous plant you were standing n front of at 6:21?
Never mind, question was answered at 8:24. A cycad. It looked like a sago to me. Oh my. Gorgeous. Would love for mine to get that big and green. Mine produces 6 - 7 new leaves and looses the same number of older leaves every year. Another great video. I must watch it many times until all that info is burned into my memory.
Thank you !!!
All this info encourages journaling re my own 1/2 acre…Covington Ga 30016: also noting winds and directions of same
O wow i was zone 5 at the start. now to 6b from 6a but i knew that. No way dhalias overwinter themselves for the first time in both pots and ground.
When the map updates the zones will there be updated zones added to plants as well?
I love how Tony says we’ve killed over fifty-thousand plants so nonchalant lol it makes you think well I’m not too bad at gardening I’ve only killed a couple lol
What a plethora of information
Was the URL of the website where Tony Avent was talking about finding out the actual micro-climates WITHIN your town or city...the USDA website?
Yes, search "2023 hardiness zone map update"
I may be the only gardener looking at UA-cam who has moved COLDER on the map. The map now tells me that I should be in zone 7a from 7B 😳🤪
Where can we find one of those temperature guns to help determine micro climates on our property.
I linked it in the description of the video. Thanks for watching
Would a white cloud muhly grass survive northeastern ohio? Tony has them and they look great.
I just planted a pink Muhly in SW Ohio z 6. I didn’t know it was rated zone 6 and up when I bought it. I probably wouldn’t have but I shall see if they survive.
I still don't understand how they come up with the average lows. I've tracked our overnight lows here in Sacramento for three years now and although we're a solid zone 9B temps rarely get below 30. The real average overnight low even during our coldest month in January is like 34. If we averaged 25-30 then we would have a significant amount of freezes which we don't. Maybe some of the rural ag areas of the valley floor but definitely not the suburbs or developed areas. Thst being said we are a cold zone 9B as opposed to the zone 9Bs of central FL or south TX. Our winters although mild are consistently cool from November through March with the threat of frost lingering around into March. Not killing freeze cold but not frost free either. Somewhere in between.
Amen in a 9b cant grow tomatoes
I think the zones went in the opposite direction they should have. I have always been in zone 6 and we have been losing an occasional plant here and there. Using zone 5 plants would give me better insurance. But now they say I’m zone 7a. 🤷🏻♀️ 🤨 I can only guess it’s politically motivated somehow. I’m going to follow the 1990s map like Tony mentioned.
I typically don’t plant marginal things anyway as I don’t want to lose on my investment.
Seems like the 1990's plant zone map is more accurate/beneficial than the current maps. Someone should start a business measuring individual moisture & air temps per a homeowner's individual lot because that seems to be more helpful than the broad-based brush of the plant zoning maps!🤷sigh ........
I found it very interesting to learn from Mr. Avent what to actually look at when picking plants. Videos like this are my horticulture education.
This was the best explanation for a lot of garden variations. I had no idea snow is an insulation for plants; although I don’t live where it snows. It also explains why I’ve always heard to water your plants before a freeze. Thank you Jim!
The map isn't great. We all seem to have more extremes now.
So the new map is basically useless..... 🤣🤣
For us zone pushers yes
It would be my luck to try to start zone pushing exotic stuff the same winter we get the most ideal plant-killing snowless freeze in more than a decade. Kentucky/TN zone 6b7a. Last December we has a snow-free 2.8f min, sub 20f AND no sunlight for 48 hours. It fried English ivy to the ground.