Bass
1188959030
Posted 1327526093
Reply with quote #1
The USDA has recently released a new plant hardiness cold zones. Many areas seems to have move 5° warmer. However my area seems to remain in the same cold zone.
http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138
Dieseler
1215735852
Posted 1327526682
Reply with quote #2
Can they make that chart any smaller ?
Wildforager
1237648107
Posted 1327527188
Reply with quote #3
click on your state and it gets larger....and get your bifocals. :-)
Bass
1188959030
Posted 1327527553
Reply with quote #4
What John said. You can simply type your zip code as well.
http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138
Jackster
1245997295
Posted 1327528849
Reply with quote #5
moved up a notch - 6b to 7a.... doesnt explain the snowstorm we got on Halloween, though :)
GoodDaughter
1263148899
Posted 1327528961
Reply with quote #6
It looks like my little town has changed from 8b to 9a, but I'm not buying it. We may not have temps below 20 very often, but it does happen. Last year we had a few nights of 15 to 17. I don't know how they average it all out, but speaking for myself, I wouldn't go by that hardiness for my area.
Bass
1188959030
Posted 1327529377
Reply with quote #7
These are based on Average extreme minimum temperature from 1976-2005 I'm in zone 6b which shows -5°F as average minimum, last winter was -8°F in my garden. This year the lowest temps has only been 10°.
http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138
Dieseler
1215735852
Posted 1327533808
Reply with quote #8
Little John i had bi-focals at one time they made me dizzy.
robertharper
1236730861
Posted 1327535855
Reply with quote #9
Your lucky Bass.at least you can still grow Oriental persimmon, at you place. I could never figure out why, you were able to grow Oriental persimmon and we could not. Every map we looked at said we were in a zone 6. But we always wonder how we could be a a zone 6, with winters that got in the past, down to minus 27 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then when we received the new cold zone classifications, we found that we had been designated to a zone 5.
If I had known we were in a zone 5, chances are we would have never started trying to grow and test figs here, for cold hardiness.
We have found all cold hardness maps very confusing. If one checks the historical weather data, at Underground weather, it shows your area Bass, with a low of minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, in 1994.
At least it prompted us to try harder to find those cold hardy figs, that we did find.
Bob, zone 5 Connecticut
71GTO
1290311646
Posted 1327536088
Reply with quote #10
Wow, I moved up from 6b to 7a also. Because they updated it does that mean you start using that new zone right away as a reference?
snaglpus
1244258188
Posted 1327536299
Reply with quote #11
I can agree with that. In my area of NC., it's getting warmer earlier and longer. My zip code was in zone 7b, now it's 8a. I like it. The daffodills and forsythia bushes are up and in bloom. But we got 20 degree weather coming this weekend. Go figure!
Centurion
1293429646
Posted 1327538982
Reply with quote #12
We also moved up...from zone 7 to zone 8b. I can't wait to tell my fig trees. They will be so happy...
GoodDaughter
1263148899
Posted 1327548291
Reply with quote #13
"These are based on Average extreme minimum temperature from 1976-2005" I guess I don't like risking my figs and other tropicals on averages. One night of below average temps can mean the demise of valued plant material. My carob tree didn't survive just a couple degrees too cold. Pity, as it was a very nice tree.
texascockatoos
1278784595
Posted 1327548932
Reply with quote #14
Guess a lot of us will need to update our signatures now.
http://www.texascockatoos.com
gorgi
1188888396
Posted 1327600711
Reply with quote #15
It seems that most the USDA zones have been bumped-up by a half-zone (+5*F).
Mine changed up from Z6b to Z7a.
This is way up from the touted/expected ~2*F increase in global warming...
Should I be thinking of (soon) growing oranges in my own backyard?
What will be next? - (Bonita) bananas?
rob0520
1239503203
Posted 1327619046
Reply with quote #16
Here in Michigan this year it feels like it's zone 7 here.The lowest we had this winter was 10 degrees f.This has been a very mild winter.I have Florea,Marseilles VS,Sals and Hardy Chicago all left unprotected and there still alive and the tips seem to still be in good shape.Our high's in Jan have been 30's and 40's unheard of.Gorgi's idea sonds great maybe I'll start growing Manadrins and Pomegranites.
Dieseler
1215735852
Posted 1327619611
Reply with quote #17
Overall across the country its been a milder winter for most generally speaking.
Darkman
1325731541
Posted 1327624890
Reply with quote #18
Here is the sad truth. The map has been ready since January2011 http://citrus.forumup.org/viewtopic.php?p=49856&mforum=citrus#49856
nypd5229
1290455653
Posted 1327630891
Reply with quote #19
I have lived here in MA for 5 years now. The zone map says I'm a zone 6a. But I'm within the Blackstone Valley River Corridor. The temps sway a bit against what the local weather spells out all the time.
We have hit 0 maybe a handful of times in that span. I know the map works on a 30 or so year span. I'm not looking at this winter as anything but an anomaly ( after around 85 inches of snow last year, I'm not complaining).
But I feel very comfortable saying that I am actually a zone 6b/7a. Negative temps have been very rare. Maybe 3 days in the last 5 years. My neighbors are graded down so they actually get warmer temps in the summer and they are only about 200 feet away. At times it may vary as much as 5 degrees.
I am in my own private micro climate along with the out lying areas.
baust55
1240892043
Posted 1451180545
Reply with quote #20
I AM in 5b occasionally we do get -15 or -24 but very seldom and not for long .
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/kitty-litter-really-kitty-litter-7398708?pid=1287129765#post1287129765
swizzle
1355675395
Posted 1451419636
Reply with quote #21
I am still 6A. It amazes me that today we are having our first snow storm of this winter in Maine and we have been unseasonably warmer than normal. I have been worried that some of my plants might pop buds. I saw these cherry trees in full bloom on Sunday in Peabody Massachussetts. I'm just glad my trees didn't start.
Attached Images image.jpeg (188.38 KB, 13 views)image.jpeg (151.82 KB, 12 views)
DesertDance
1247674606
Posted 1451430076
Reply with quote #22
We got ice here in zone 9B. Sucks! But we sprayed everything with "Cloud Cover" knowing this would happen. Unusual, thanks to El Nino.
snaglpus
1244258188
Posted 1451434314
Reply with quote #23
Suzi, you're back!!!
GeneDaniels
1384021772
Posted 1451434546
Reply with quote #24
I have not changed zones, still 7b. And that is accurate -- most years. But the past two in a row we hit the lows for 7a. This year is looking more like z8b so far. But I am not taking chances, my figs are all nicely wrapped for a zone 7a winter just in case.
Seven trees in the ground : Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?
GregMartin
1370378358
Posted 1451436280
Reply with quote #25
Quote:
Originally Posted by swizzle
KK4DFU
1331243863
Posted 1451486826
· Edited
Reply with quote #26
Edit: Changed from 6b to 7a
NoelG_123
1406247827
Posted 1451489526
Reply with quote #27
I don't believe it for a second.
MariannaMiller
1368495473
Posted 1451490693
Reply with quote #28
Think I am one of the few whose zone got colder. Based on seeing some single digit temps in the past 2 years and a whole passel of temps in the teens, It fits pretty well. We went from 7b to 7a. Now if it could just be 7b temps in winter and 7a temps in summer, it would be great. Colder is bad for the figs but on the other hand, it will help bring back the trout population in our streams which have been suffering due to overly warm water temps.
GregMartin
1370378358
Posted 1451493778
Reply with quote #29
Sorry you have to hear about it Noel, but until it's fixed the drum beat will go on.
NoelG_123
1406247827
Posted 1451494368
Reply with quote #30
@ greg. Yep. How is it they can basically go up 5 degree's across the board when it takes detailed measurements over an extended period of time to even establish a zone rating? Pure political B.S. coming out of Washington. They could give a Rip what impact it makes on people who farm and garden. My 2 cents LOL :)
GregMartin
1370378358
Posted 1451495403
· Edited
Reply with quote #31
People are playing politics with this, like they do with everything, but this didn't start in Washington. I'm a chemical engineer and I'm happy to discuss the science driving this with you offline if you'd like. But it would be nice to keep the politics off the fig board....there's plenty of other websites for that. I'm sure we all have lots of strong feelings on lots of issues and that they conflict with each other. The one thing that makes this board work is our common love of figs and the desire to help each other.http://www.arborday.org/media/map_change.cfm
NoelG_123
1406247827
Posted 1451499197
· Edited
Reply with quote #32
Sorry Greg, I wasn't 'discussing' politics here. The top link says 2012 so is this new stuff? I wouldn't bring up real politics (gives me heart-burn) and please note I didn't say a single word about my party affiliation or that I'm a staunch Independent. LOL. So it's weather station data? How was it compiled? What were the guidelines used? Did weather change across the board? Forgive me if I somewhat wary of the motivation behind the update. We've had so much smoke blown up our bottoms from D.C. (since this is a government agency) it's a wonder we don't all have lung cancer. And remember D.C. is filled with every party affiliation so I'm not pointing a single finger- well, except maybe one. ;) BTW. Your link doesn't seem to be working. Be well! And of course- Happy Figging!!!
hoosierbanana
1287901146
Posted 1451504733
· Edited
Reply with quote #33
So... The zones (considering each zone number is divided into a and b) are set 5 degrees apart... If the change represented a '5 degree increase across the board' the borders of the zones would not have changed at all, just the colors. Try thinking of it that way Noel.
GregMartin
1370378358
Posted 1451506270
Reply with quote #34
Didn't mean to make you sorry about it Noel...no Fig Fun in that. Just a subject I'm sensitive about. Drop me your address and I'll send you a 258 cutting to get the fun back :)
NoelG_123
1406247827
Posted 1451507602
Reply with quote #35
Gee, with an offer like that, I should wear my heart on my sleeve more often haha. Thanks for being a good sport.
waynea
1362316304
Posted 1451508519
Reply with quote #36
Okay Greg, if that is what it takes to get an I-258 then.... just kidding I already have 258 what else do you have? One day, one generation will know for sure and we won't be around to say whatever. Now in the meantime.....how about them figs!
GregMartin
1370378358
Posted 1451508795
Reply with quote #37
I'm setting myself up for trouble, aren't I Wayne!
GregMartin
1370378358
Posted 1451511456
Reply with quote #38
Maybe this link will work?https://www.arborday.org/media/zones.cfm
GregMartin
1370378358
Posted 1451511704
· Edited
Reply with quote #39
Dang, that one doesn't seem to work either????
waynea
1362316304
Posted 1451513050
· Edited
Reply with quote #40
No, I'm a firm believer but for arguments sake we need to stick to figs for the fun of it. That's our forum. But one thing is plainly clear to me, I now live in 10A which used to be 9B, same house only the climate is getting warmer. I started my mango trees in pots and planned on them staying in 25 gallon pots and moving them to protection on frosty nights, since my 20+ foot in-round trees were killed back to the bud years ago during several nights of 22-30 degree temperatures. But now I am rethinking my plans. They are going in the ground because I feel it will be really rare to see those low temperatures again. Maybe one day I will be able to grow mangos on my property in North Alabama, just kidding, but maybe my grandchildren will. I moved to Florida from New Hampshire in 1976 after many days of shoveling snow and getting stuck in waist deep snow. I was tired of carrying sand/salt and snow shovel in the trunk knowing it was going to be used....a lot. It snowed a few months later, January 1977 at my new home in Labelle South Florida. But I still love NH....in the spring, summer and fall. I have visited NH in January 2014, that week was super warm for NH, only wore a long sleeve shirt and a sweater. In Southwest Florida, this last week, we have experienced record breaking days, 86-88 degrees. Great for figs. I believe we have been experiencing more and more extreme weather conditions. But for the sake of keeping this a fig forum.... How bout them figs. Okay Greg, do I get something for agreeing with you, be a good sport just one more time.
GregMartin
1370378358
Posted 1451513659
Reply with quote #41
That was pretty good Wayne, PM me what you're looking for, I might have one more "good sport" left in me :). If I have what you're looking for I'm sure it'll be happier living in Florida then in Maine! Last year my wife hurt her back shoveling snow...now she's talking about moving somewhere warmer too.
waynea
1362316304
Posted 1451513904
Reply with quote #42
Just having fun, one of these days we can do some trading. I really do love the states of NH, Maine and Vermont.....my growing-up states.
drew51
1431808677
Posted 1451519343
Reply with quote #43
My zone was changed to zone 6 from zone 5. The last two winters we hit zone 4 temps. So lot's of zone 6 plants have been dying here. Lake Superior is 7 degrees colder than normal. I would love to get real warm weather here. We could grow so much more in this state. Our season is way too short!
