For the first time in 22 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating the planting zone map used on the back of seed packets. Recently revealed at the National Arboretum just in time for spring gardens, the revised planting zone will serve as the new official guide for the national’s 80 million gardeners. Here’s what The Huffington Post reported on the new map.

“. . . illustrating a hotter 21st century . . . nearly entire states, such as Ohio, Nebraska and Texas, are in warmer zones . . . it reflects a new reality: The coldest day of the year isn’t as cold as it used to be, so some plants and trees can now survive farther north.

The new map divides the country into 26 zones based on five-degree temperature increments where 18 states are now in warmer zones than the 1990 map. The new guide also reflects a new reality in technology. The online version allows gardeners to enter zip codes to find plant and weather information. Gardeners can even find out the slope of their land, prevailing winds and other detailed factors. To read more about the new map visit The Huffington Post article online.

 

Photo via Simon Howden/FreeDigitalPhotos.net