What All Gardeners Need to Know About the New USDA Hardiness Zone Map

The USDA recently released a new Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and although you may have used the interactive map in the past, it got its first full revamp in over a decade.

The new map provides valuable insights for gardeners that just might alter the way they plan and schedule their plantings. Recently released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the revamped Plant Hardiness Zone Map interactive map is a total game-changer for garden enthusiasts.

Christopher Daly, director of the PRISM Climate Group and the map's lead author told PHYS News that the 2023 map is about 2.5 degrees warmer than the previous 2012 maps across the conterminous United States.

This warming trend translates into a significant shift, with approximately half of the country moving to a warmer five-degree half zone while the other half remains in the same half zone. Notably, the central plains and Midwest have experienced the most substantial warming, whereas the southwestern U.S. has seen minimal changes.

For gardeners, this shift might seem modest, but it actually carries some considerable implications, especially how it relates to thefirst frost date in your area. Figuring out that first frost date—which often freezes and kills our plants—is vital for deciding when to bring vulnerable plants indoors or prepare the garden for the changing season.

Frost can damage all your plants, but young and newly planted plants are particularly vulnerable to the cold because the new growth is sensitive. However, it's also important to understand the difference between how a frost affects plants in comparison to a freeze—some of your plants might be able to handle the former, but not the latter. Additionally, the updated map expands beyond perennials, which