What Plant Hardiness Zones DON'T Tell You...

Hardiness zones are helpful, but for beginner gardeners, they can often confuse you more than they clarify. They're based on the average annual minimum temperature, which gives you SOME info but not ALL the info you need to know what to plant and when to plant it in your garden.

IN THIS VIDEO

SUPPORT EPIC GARDENING

LEARN MORE

DISCLAIMER

[robinlillian]

Some plants also need a freeze and a winter rest. That's why apple trees don't grow in the tropics.

[charliewesterfield]

USDA Hardiness should denote Average last frost date as well. In school that was always the main reason we talked about it.

[jessicacovey]

This has been the absolute best explanation I’ve heard of growing zones (and their pitfalls). By miles.
I live in zone 9a central Florida and it can be disheartening when you care for plants as instructed and they all seem to die. Took me a while to realize all of my video resources, and even most of my books, were based on the west coast. I definitely had to adopt a totally different gardening mindset.

[MrLeonightis]

I live in the mid Atlantic, while my actual zone is not that cold, the long term lack of sunlight in the winter and low temps keep any exotic stuff off the table.

[Tara-idrk]

I’m in a Zone 4 (Alaska)- and I can say that our climate and seasons have changed a lot over the past 20 years. And even year to year. This year we still have snow several weeks later than we did last year. We also have such a short growing season but very long daylight hours. So we have the capacity to grow certain crops that a shorter day Zone 4 cannot. Zone 4 is a challenge. But it’s not hopeless. You just have to work with what you’ve got. Root vegetables/potatoes, pumpkins and most squash, leafy greens, cabbage and berries do exceptionally well without a greenhouse. Most things that are slow to mature, not so much. We grow record breaking pumpkins and cabbage in Alaska...it’s a whole thing. Haha

[icouldjustscream]

Another zone 4 Canadian here. Luckily the orientation of my old (100+) brick house has given me some zone 5 microclimate areas. We had 20-30 cm snow 2 days ago. My main garden is buried under snow but the south/southeast facing sides of the house are showing signs of new life peeking through, "Is it safe to come out yet?" I MUST get some of those gray poppy seeds that you showed us the other day. Thanks for all your hardwork and help.

[pxlated]

As someone trying desperately to grow a garden in Phoenix, THANK you for explaining why I'm in the same zone as much more temperate areas in Cali.

[JudyTanishaHenry]

I'm watching from Grenada, so I'm not in any zone, but I try to go with Florida and Puerto Rico. I hate when I'm told to plant something after my last frost date.
What frost?

[genejaytre]

This is great! I’m in Texas and I’m zone 8a and I’m realizing I may not need to cover my citrus as much as I was told. Last night it was about 30 degrees and right now it’s almost 60. I’m realizing we are truly on the cusps here in dallas.

[sharonbrowne]

I'll give you confusion try being a Canadian watching YouTube gardening videos and trying to figure out if the plant being talked out will grow in my Canadian zone 5 garden and survive our Canadian winter, which is different from USA zone 5.

[jelatinosa]

I live in Puerto Rico. I guess zone 12b. I never felt like hardiness zones were very helpful for people who live in warmer climates.

[sweeetjuicetv]

just found your channel bc ive got a sudden interest in growing plants + food, and as a hard of hearing individual i super appreciate you taking the time to caption your videos. it's not something a lot of content creators think to do so it's always a delightful surprise to see channels where people put in that extra effort for accessibility 🧡

[stokelymarco]

A good source people should use to better understand their planting time is to use their local agriculture college. I'm in South Florida, and as mentioned, a whole different 10b...u just can't grow much in the summer. Here the University of Florida AG school puts out planting calendars for different areas of the state...in general my season is just about over for most veggies...but I push my zone a bit by planting on the east side of my house that is shaded from the heat of the day...

[HarrisonCountyStudio]

I live in WV, my neighbor always grew the best tomatoes growing up. They grew so tall, and he kept his garden so manicured. I always believed his success was due to his extreme care and work ethic. @ 7:00 enlightened me on to a possible variable as to why he had such a green thumb. His garden ran length wise/ parallel to an old 9’ brick wall. I remember as a kid how warm that wall was in the winter months and by summer, it was down right hot! Great incite, great video, watched it to the very end✌🏽

Happy Easter and Godspeed to you and your family.

[kacheek]

Yup, Floridian here in 9a and I'm happy to learn I was using the zones correctly (only referencing them for whether or not the plant in question could handle our winters). When it comes to whether or not they can handle our summers, I turn to our local extension office and nurseries, and look for keywords like 'heat resistant' in the plant's description. Plus good old fashioned trial and error ;)

[erikjohnson]

Spring starts much later in Zone 8 Seattle (far from the Equator, but maritime) than in Zone 8, Gulf Coast. Zones don't tell you the length of the growing season, just the average minimum temperature.

[blatzphemy]

I just wanted to take a moment and tell you how much i appreciate your content. I usually struggle on here with all the paid ads and channels struggling to make jokes or fake laughs. This channel is great and I appreciate it

[mikebegonia]

Easy way: Ask an old neighbour with 50 years of gardening experience what to plant!

[Donna_G]

I live in a valley in central Washington. Most souces identify my location as zone 6b. On the other side of the Cascades, it is zone 8b for some zip codes.

It is quite windy here especially during the summer months. However, if there is a wildfire burning, then the wind seems to be non-existent.

Last year, I had my fabric pots up near the front of my unit. My plants got all of the morning sun. By the time the hottest part of the day happened, the plants were in mostly shade.

[pamb]

Spot on. I accidentally created a microclimate this Summer by planting on the north side of my home. The sun was just scorching my plants everywhere else. I live in Central Florida and none of the “rules” apply! Great video!