How Planting Zones Can Help With Your Gardening

Every gardener, from the expert to the beginner, needs to know about planting zones and which one he or she is located in. How can these zones help you? Knowing what your zone is will allow you to avoid plants that will not thrive in your climate.

The total number of zones in the United States is 11. The US and southern Canada are divided up into USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. Planting zones are usually separated by a difference of approximately 10° Fahrenheit. Zones are determined by how cold it gets in a region; the higher the number, the warmer the region is.

Although you can plant anything you would like, the planting zones offer a guideline as to the proper plants that will thrive in your area. You can grow plants indifferent zones, it just takes more effort.

If you know the zone where you'll be planting, shopping is easy because most nurseries and seed dealers list the best planting zones for their plants. The zones track the average cold temperatures for your area, but you also need to take into account the amount of sun and type of soil your plant will require.

You can find which areas of your home, patio or garden are the warmest and which are the coolest by just walking around and observing at different times of the day. These areas which come under the category of microclimates are important as you can get spots surrounding your house, where different plants that may not belong in your zone can be planted. Lengthening your planting time is another benefit of these microclimate areas.

If you know about your planting zone and which plants will be naturally healthy in that environment you will have an easier time maintaining your garden. Knowing what to plant in your zone and acting according ling will allow you to enjoy better success at gardening.