Visit our online store for 100% handmade items!
While browsing through the garden centre, you may have noticed plant tags which mention hardiness or growing zones. Or, perhaps you have heard other gardeners talking about their zone and frost dates. If you haven’t heard these terms before, you might find yourself scratching your head in confusion.
But, fear not gardening friends. In today’s blog, we show you how to identify your growing or hardiness zone. We also explain what this information means for the types of plants you can grow.
As a bonus, we also walk you through how you can use this information to plan out your gardens this season. So, pull up a chair and let’s dig in!
What is a growing zone?
A growing or hardiness zone refers to a specific geographic area with its own unique climatic conditions. The climate found in each zone is capable of sustaining growth for certain types of plants. These plants are able to adapt to a specific set of growing conditions.
There will be some plants which are hardy through a wider range of zones, like hydrangeas. Others will be more on the finicky side. These finicky types of plants may only grow in a very narrow range of zones.
Why do growing zones matter?
Every plant needs the basics to survive. They often need adequate sun or shade; access to water; proper temperatures; air flow; good quality soil; proper drainage, etc. But, the climate a plant is growing in is also vitally important to its overall survival.
If you are new to gardening, the easiest way to think about growing or hardiness zones is to visualize them as a type of guide.
Each guide, or zone, helps gardeners identify the plants that are most likely to survive in their climate and seasonal growing conditions.
Although growing zones were originally developed in the United States, they are now widely used in Canada too! These zones help gardeners know which types of plants will thrive best in their region.
How to Identify Your Growing Zone
Identifying your growing zone is simpler than you might think. Start by using an online growing zone map for your country.
In Canada, for instance, the Canadian Hardiness Zone Map offers a detailed breakdown based on climatic factors like temperature extremes, frost dates, and elevation.
For gardeners in the United States, the USDA Hardiness Zone map offers helpful information on how to identify your zone. You can also check with your local extension office for information on planting dates and hardiness zones.
Once you know your zone, you can start narrowing down plant options that will thrive in your specific growing conditions.
Remember that factors like microclimates in your yard (such as sunny spots or sheltered areas) may slightly impact plant survival.
What are the growing zones for Canada?
Growing zones in Canada are divided by the annual minimum temperature extreme in a given area. Although hardiness zones in the United States range from 1-13, here in Canada, we don’t have temperatures quite high enough to go past 9.
Canadian growing zones range from 0-9. The higher the number, the higher the minimum temperature extreme will be and vice versa.
For example, in Canada, the warmest areas would be on the coast of British Columbia. The coldest would be in the Northern territories.
The letters A or B are often added to growing zones. This is used to indicate slight variations in seasonal annual temperature extremes within the same geographic area.
Quick Reference: Growing Zones for Major Canadian Cities
- Vancouver: 8b
- Edmonton: 4a
- Victoria: 9b
- Kelowna: 7a
- Calgary: 4a
- Saskatoon: 3b
- Winnipeg: 3a
- Toronto: 7a
- Halifax: 6b
- Montreal: 6a
- St. John’s: 6a
- Whitehorse: 0b
- Iqaluit: 0a
What are the growing zones for the United States?
Hardiness zones in the United States range from 1-13. The letters A and B are also used to distinguish slight variations in climate within the same geographic area.
Like Canada, hardiness zones in the United States help gardeners to determine which plants are most likely to survive in their geographic location.
Quick reference: USDA Hardiness Zones for Major American cities
- Miami, Florida: 10b
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 7a and 7b
- New York, New York: 7b
- Houston, Texas: 9
- Augusta, Maine: 5b
- Phoenix, Arizona: 9b and 10a
- Los Angeles, California: 9 and 10
- Charleston, South Carolina: 9a
- Columbus, Ohio: 6
Why is knowing your growing zone important when planning a garden or buying plants?
Knowing your growing zone is vitally important to planning your garden. It helps you choose plants that are suitable for the growing conditions in your local area.
Nothing could be worse than going to the trouble of picking out plants for your garden to learn the hard way later on that they are unsuitable for your growing zone.
Before you purchase plants to add to your garden, first find out what zone you are growing in. Next, be sure to do some research on the zone. This will help you find plants adapted to your growing conditions.
When in doubt, check the tags of the plants that you would like to purchase or the seeds you want to start. Growing zones are often listed on the plant’s identification tags or the back of a seed packet.
If you’re still unsure, you can always check with staff at your local nursery or garden centre. You can even attend some meetings at your local garden club and talk to fellow gardeners in your area. In the US, check with your local extension office for more info on your growing zone.
Arming yourself with this knowledge before you plant will save you the heartache of buying too many plants for your garden that will not thrive in your local growing conditions.
How to Check Growing Zone Information on Plants
- Check Plant Tags: Most nursery plants have growing zone information listed on their tags.
- Research Plants Before You Buy: Look online or consult gardening books to verify plant hardiness for your zone.
- Consult Local Experts: Staff at your local nursery or garden center can offer valuable advice.
- Read the back of seed packets before planting: Seed packets offer a wealth of information on the back side of the packet. Check this information before planting to see if the crops or flowers you want to start are hardy to your zone.
Growing zones and planting guide
As a quick reference guide, here are some common examples of plants found in many gardens and the range of zones in which they are hardy:
- Azaleas: zones 5-9
- Rhododendron: zones 4-8
- Daylily: zones 4-9
- Hostas: zones 3-8
- Boxwood: zones 5-9
- North pole arborvitae: zones 3-8
How to Use Growing Zone Information for Garden Planning
Arming yourself with growing zone knowledge can help you make better decisions when planning your garden. Here are some ways to use this information:
- Select Plants That Thrive Locally: Focus on plants well-suited to your zone to reduce maintenance.
- Time Your Planting: Knowing frost dates and temperature extremes helps you decide when to plant.
- Experiment Wisely: Try pushing the boundaries of your growing zone with proper care and microclimate use.
Frequently asked questions about growing zones
What do zone numbers mean when growing?
The numbers attached to each growing zone indicate the average minimum temperature extremes during winter for a given geographic area.
From there, you will be able to determine which plants are best able to survive in the temperature extremes within your growing area.
What are the coldest and warmest growing zones in Canada and the US?
In the US, the coldest growing zone is USDA zone 1. For Canada, the coldest growing zone is Oa. In the US, the hottest growing zone is 13. For Canada, the warmer growing zone is 9.
What is Nova Scotia’s growing or climate zone?
Nova Scotia splits itself into two growing zones, 5 and 6. There are also several microclimate zones within Nova Scotia distinguished by the letters A and B. Or, 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b. The differences come from Nova Scotia’s close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean which drives different weather patterns.
What growing zone is Ontario in?
Since Ontario is one of Canada’s largest provinces, it spans several growing zones. These include growing zones 0-7. The zone that one is growing in will depend on the region of Ontario that the gardener lives in.
What growing zone is Canada in?
Since Canada is the second largest country in the world, it contains several different growing zones. From coast-to-coast-to-coast, Canada is home to growing zones 0-9.
Are Canadian and US growing zones the same?
Although certain parts of Canada and United States may share similar climate conditions, each country has developed their own growing zone classification systems.
When determining what zone you are growing in, always be sure to pick the guidelines developed for your country or growing area. But, know that these are strictly guidelines. Planting and frost dates will vary from year to year based on a number of different factors.
Do growing zones ever change?
Yes, as the climate continues to change, so do the updates that come to both the Canadian and US versions of growing zone maps and guidelines. Checking these updates will help you to properly plan your gardening or seed starting projects.
Final thoughts about growing zones
Learning about your growing zone and the types of plants that thrive best is often the first step in planning a new garden. Start by identifying what zone you are in. Then, do some research into plants that thrive best in that zone.
Equipping yourself with this knowledge before you head out to purchase new plants will help you to make the best selections to match your growing conditions.
Until next time gardening friends, do you have some favourite plants that grow well for you in your growing zone? If so, leave a comment below or over on our socials. We always love to hear about your gardens and what you have been up to with your gardening projects!
While you are visiting our socials, be sure to like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. And, be sure to check back on our blog for more helpful tips and new product launches on our online store. All items in the store are completely handmade with the quality you can trust from Canadian-made products. Consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of the new updates.
