A Way to Garden with Margaret Roach – Dec 11, 2023 – New USDA Hardiness Zone Map

<p>You no doubt have seen news that the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was just updated, and that half the country once again got reclassified a half-zone warmer—just as many of us did after the previous update of the map, in 2012. But what does it all mean to gardeners practically speaking?</p> <p>Dr. Todd Rounsaville is a USDA research scientist and horticulturist who was involved in the years-long project that led to the creation of the new map, and he helped me drill in to what it reveals, and to other factors affecting plant hardiness.</p> <p>Todd, who heads the U.S. National Arboretum Germplasm Program, acted as chairman of the technical review team for the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, a group of about 40 people across country. </p>