When choosing what kind of plants to put down in your yard, you likely focus on the what and the where. After all, a beautiful plant in a prime location enhances curb appeal and even bragging rights.
To help ensure that your plants do not just survive, but thrive, the experts at lawn care equipment manufacturer Exmark are sharing the following insights about plant hardiness:
What is plant hardiness?
Understanding plant hardiness is the secret to growing healthier plants. Plant hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing conditions such as drought, flooding, heat and cold.
American farming contributes billions of dollars to the gross national product every year, which is one reason the U.S. Department of Agriculture has long monitored weather data.
Choosing plants with hardiness levels appropriate to specific planting zones gives you the best chance of gardening and landscaping success.
What is my growing zone?
The United States is divided into 13 zones. Zones 1-6 are the coldest and 7-13 are the warmest. Zone 1 averages minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit, while zone 13 never drops below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A general guideline is to plant anything designated for your zone or lower, but never higher. Always check the tag on the back of the plant or seed pack for zone information. Centre County is in zones 6a and 6b.
Planting zone rule of thumb
Plant hardiness zone maps are, well, all over the map. Consider the number assigned to your ZIP code as a starting point. You may live right at the break between one zone and the other. Remember that it is better to guess too low than too high. Your geography can also affect your hardiness zone, like if you live on a hill or in a valley.
Perennials versus annuals
There is a reason you see palm trees in Miami, not Minnetonka, Minnesota. In the case of perennials, it is not about when the first frost is, but how cold it gets, and whether that plant can survive and thrive through winter.
Plant hardiness zones are less important, however, when it comes to annuals. Because these plants are only meant to last the length of one growing season, waiting until after the average first frost date will save you from having to re-plant.
Understanding what plants will thrive in your climate is essential to having a healthy lawn and garden. Fortunately, free resources abound to help you garden and landscape successfully.
