Gardener’s Guide to USDA Growing Zones
If you’ve ever wondered why it’s difficult to grow echinacea in Florida and why a palm tree won’t survive in Vermont, the answer lies in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones.
Understanding your zone is an important step in choosing plants that will thrive in your backyard year after year.
What is a USDA Growing Zone?
The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Perennial Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location.
The map is based on the average annual lowest winter temperature over a 20 - 30 year period. The continental United States is divided into 9 zones, with zone 3 being the coldest and zone 11 being the warmest. Each zone represents a 10°F difference in the average annual lowest temperature.
How Do I Find My Zone?
Finding your zone is as simple as using the map above or enter your zip code below.
ZONE
How is my Burpee Order affected by growing zones?
Seeds and supplies:
We ship all seed orders within 3–5 days of purchase, regardless of the season.
Plants:
Burpee ships your plants at the proper time so you can plant them when you receive them. Due to the temperature variations of growing zones, please refer to our Shipping Schedule to understand when your plants will ship.