Using the Zone System in Landscaping

Using the Zone System in Landscaping

For gardeners who want to optimize their results, the Zone System is indispensable.

The Zone System was created by the USDA (U.S. Dept of Agriculture) and divides the country into eleven zones. The divisions are based on the minimum average winter temperature with zone 1 the coldest, zone 11 the warmest. Maps of the zone system are readily available online and they're very helpful for pinpointing which zone you're in.

The USDA Zone System isn't the only one around, however. Sunset, the famed gardening publication company, developed its own system, and it is even more extensive. The Sunset Western Climate zone system has 24 divisions for the western portion of North America, with additional zones (A1-A3) for Alaska and Hawaii (H1-H3).

 [The Zones are:
 Cold and Snowy: 1-3
 Rainy Northwest Zones:4-6
 Northern and Interior-alley California Zones: 7-9, 14-17
 Southern California: 18-24
 Southwest Desert Zones: 10-13]

Sunset uses more than just minimum winter temperatures. Its algorithm also includes summer temperatures, annual rainfall, elevation, humidity and other climate factors such as marine and mountain geography. But that's not all. The Sunset system factors in the length of the growing season - by examining the average number of days between the beginning of Spring and the first frost of Fall.

Even with all this extensive information, zones can be divided into micro-climates, for those who want to narrow down their area as much as possible. Some areas like the panhandle of Northern Idaho are protected from the harshest Winter weather by its unique configuration of mountains. Just on the other side, Montana has much more severe weather.

Mountain slopes can channel warm or cold air into an area in the same way they keep other influences

True Turf Launches Full-Service Artificial Turf Superstore
True Turf Inc., will move its headquarters from 2067 Wineridge Place, Suite E, Escondido CA 92029 to 1924 West Mission Road, Suite A, Escondido CA 92029 effective August 2, 2010.

(PRWeb July 30, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4317344.htm

]]>
Water Pumps Direct Announces Addition of Powermate Water Pumps
Water Pumps Direct Announces Addition of Powermate Water Pumps. Online Superstore Continues to Expand Product Offering.

(PRWeb July 30, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/powermate/waterpumps/prweb4325974.htm

]]>
FauxPanels.com Debuts Fieldstone Style of Faux Stone Panels
Fueled by customer requests, FauxPanels.com has added the rustic charm of fieldstone mosaic stone veneer to its extensive range of stone veneer products. Update the interior or exterior of your home...

(PRWeb July 30, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4331024.htm

]]>
Koi Acres to be Present at the 2010 UMKC Koi Show
A once a year opportunity to view some of the best Koi fish in the Midwest.

(PRWeb July 30, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4330324.htm

]]>
Olde World Stone and Tile Now Offers Complete Stone-making Project...
The family-owned Florida Company that helped revolutionize the industry nearly two decades ago has introduced fully-equipped project kits, making handcrafted stone and tile accessible and fun for even...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/tile_stone_making/do-it-yourself_kits/prweb4150224.htm

]]>
Landscape Improvements Increase Home Value and Resale Odds
Texas Study Shows Landscape Improvements Net 35% Return on Investment

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4321034.htm

]]>
Aquaponics Made Easy Workshops by Australian Murray Hallam to be...
Murray Hallam, of Queesland, Australia is coming to Colorado and California September 18 and 19 to teach workshops titled "Aquaponics Made Easy". Hallam is widely regarded as one of the top...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4273384.htm

]]>
New Videos Explore Today?s Top Concrete Products
The Concrete Network has produced 28 new online videos featuring today?s most popular <a href="http://www.concretenetwork.com/suppliers/" onclick="linkClick(this.href)">concrete products</a>. Split...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/concrete/products/prweb4294254.htm

]]>
Breeze C Mobility Scooter is Out of the Laboratory and Ready for...
Following years of unique research and development at 'Afikim Electric vehicles', Breeze C has been approved for release by the company's engineers. The scooter underwent extensive and detailed...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/mobility_scooters/breeze/prweb4311814.htm

]]>
Global Marketing Resources Offers Low Cost, Performance Based Local...
Global Marketing Resources, a California based globally renowned professional Website Design Company offers low cost, performance-based local search services for small businesses.

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/local-search-marketing/services/prweb4321344.htm

]]>
Custom Toll Free Launches 1-800-Cut-Tree Website
New Nationwide Marketplace for Tree Service Providers. National Leader in Vanity Toll Free Numbers Expanding Product Mix to Include Powerful ?Single Number? Online Platform for Vertical Market and...

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/custom_toll_free/800_cut_tree/prweb4321884.htm

]]>
Shed Liquidator's Launch of New Website Shows Great Savings,...
Shed Liquidators responds to a down-turned economy with a complete turn-key solution designed to offer economical sheds online that offer a hassle-free, no gimmick experience.

(PRWeb July 29, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4314754.htm

]]>
Castle & Cooke Florida Receives Prestigious Grand Aurora Awards
The Grammy?s Of The Home Building Industry.

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4306454.htm

]]>
How to Trim the Cost of Air Conditioning by as Much as 30%
More than 10,000 property owners are using this simple "do-it-yourself" method to reduce air conditioning energy cost with five easy steps, no tools, and no electricity.

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4309584.htm

]]>
Chain Saws Direct Announces Addition of Hitachi Chain Saws
Chain Saws Direct Announces Addition of Hitachi Chain Saws. Online Superstore Continues to Expand Product Offering.

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/hitachi/chainsaws/prweb4312984.htm

]]>
Sump Pumps Direct Announces Best Primary Sump Pumps
Sump Pumps Direct Announces Best Primary Sump Pumps. Recommendations Based on Sales History and Customer Reviews.

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/best/primarysumppumps/prweb4314334.htm

]]>
Johnson Level & Tool Introduces Laser Distance Measure
Johnson Level & Tool has expanded its measuring tools category with the introduction of a...

(PRWeb July 28, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/laser-distance-measure/laser-levels/prweb4316104.htm

]]>
Sunny Ridge Microbial Solutions Helps Growers Increase the Yields and...
Sunny Ridge Microbial Solutions announces the launch of their website where eco-conscious gardeners and farmers can find solutions for producing bigger yields and higher quality crops using worm...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/vermicompost/worm-castings/prweb4143094.htm

]]>
Large Hot Tub Benefits Kids in Need at Children's Hospitals
Bullfrog Spas donates a Model 682 <a href="http://www.bullfrogspas.com/pages/spa-682.asp" onclick="linkClick(this.href)">8-person hot tub</a> to raise much needed funding for Children?s Miracle...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/health/hot-tub-donation/prweb4301374.htm

]]>
New and Improved Real Estate Stimulus Plan
Real Estate Survival Kit created by RealEstateMasterMinds.com provides free MLS Listings and thousands of dollars in cash rebates. Taking their cue from discount brokerage firms such as Scottrade and...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/RealEstate/Discount/prweb4310514.htm

]]>
New French Leaseback Opportunity Provides Stable Investment Vehicle
IPIN (International Property Investment Network) expect French leasebacks to become an increasingly popular choice with property investors; the secure nature of the investment and the comparatively...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/07/prweb4158004.htm

]]>
Major Texas Foundation Repair Company Shares Money Saving Foundation...
Simple inexpensive foundation maintenance tips from Advanced Foundation Repair are for do it yourself home owners. Maintain even moisture around the foundation by creating foundation watering...

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Foundation/Maintenance/prweb4299254.htm

]]>
Air Compressors Direct Adds Viair Air Compressors
Air Compressors Direct Adds Viair Air Compressors. Online Superstore Continues to Expand Product Offering.

(PRWeb July 27, 2010)

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/viair/aircompressors/prweb4307754.htm

]]>


out. In the wine growing region of Southern California, for example, the narrow gap in which most of the vineyards sit, traps hot summer air. At the same time the valleys get a cool breeze in the evening from the nearby Pacific Ocean. The combination of these (and other) factors creates a zone that's perfect for growing wine grapes.

Using micro-climate information, it's possible to grow some plants that otherwise you might suspect wouldn't thrive (if you considered only the zone number). There are limits, however. Lemon trees will still do better in Southern California than they do in Eastern Washington.

Some experimentation will always be needed to determine which plants will grow best in your particular environment. But using the zone system as a starting guide will help you avoid costly mistakes. You can grow a plant that's rated, say, as hardy up to Zone 5. But if you live in a Zone 2 you are almost certainly wasting your time and money in that instance.

Since the hardiness of a plant is largely genetic, there is little you can do to adjust the plant, apart from hybridization. But selecting which plants thrive best in which zones is a straightforward exercise. There's ample information online to guide you.

Here are some more landscaping articles...