Yesterday, I discussed Frost Dates. Today, I’m discussing Garden Zones. While you can find both your frost dates and garden zone by submitting your email in a specified place, Garden Zones and Frost Dates are not the same. A conscientious gardener needs to know both his gardening zone and his frost dates.

Because of Climate Change Gardening Zones Have Shifted

I lived in Mississippi for about 35 years before I moved to the New Jersey Shore for several years. I have been an avid gardener for years, and I was not surprised that I couldn’t grow gardenias and delicate camellias in New Jersey.

Before I moved to New Jersey, I lived near Jackson, MS, which is in the lower half of the state. But now I live in Water Valley, which is near the top of the state—near Memphis, TN.

Because Linwood, NJ is on the Bay of the Atlantic Ocean, the Ocean moderates the weather there, and the Gardening Zone there is 7b. I definitely was not living in Gardenia Country in New Jersey, but here’s the rub: I am still not living om Gardenia Country. Water Valley’s Gardening Zone is 8a–only a half step away. The Garden Zone near Jackon, MS, is 8b, and honestly, old-fashioned gardenias may not survive winters there either. Biloxi, MS is located at the bottom of Mississippi. and gardenias should do fine there. Biloxi’s Garden Zone is 9A.

Here’s the Scoop: Garden Zones are printed on plant tags. You can save a lot of time and money by checking the tags–after you have discovered your garden zone.

To find your garden zone, go to the following website: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

Enter Your Garden’s Zipcode in the search window.