USDA Hardiness Zone
USDA hardiness zones divide North America into 13 zones based on average annual minimum winter temperatures, guiding plant selection.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides the United States and North America into 13 zones (1a through 13b), each representing a 10°F range of average annual extreme minimum temperatures. Zone 1 is the coldest (below -60°F) and Zone 13 the warmest (above 60°F). Gardeners and farmers use hardiness zones to select perennial plants, fruit trees, and winter crops that can survive local winter conditions. The map was most recently updated in 2023 using 30 years of weather data and reflects warming trends in many regions. While hardiness zones are valuable for cold tolerance decisions, they do not account for summer heat, rainfall, humidity, or soil conditions, so they should be used alongside other regional growing information.