The USDA’s gardening zones shifted. This map shows what’s changed.

The USDA has recently updated its plant hardiness map for the first time in 11 years, reflecting significant shifts in gardening zones across the United States due to climate change. Rochester, NY’s hardiness zone has shifted from 6a to 6b. This change offers gardeners new planting possibilities but also requires careful consideration of what plants are suitable for their local climates. The hardiness map, primarily used to gauge winter survival for perennials, does not account for other crucial factors like summer temperatures and frequency of extreme weather, which can also impact plant survival. Moreover, the American Horticultural Society attempted to address summer survival with a heat zone map, which has not become widely used. This evolving climate scenario underscores the importance of local expert advice for gardeners navigating these changes.

Source: NPR