Westerners may swear by the Sunset maps, but for most of the country the U.S. Department of Agriculture map of plant hardiness zones is the gold standard. Why hasn't it been updated since 1990? A new ...

Whenever you purchase a new perennial plant, shrub, tree, or even seeds, you've probably noticed information about hardiness zones on the plant tag or description. But what does it mean? "Plant ...

Heat domes, atmospheric rivers, bomb cyclones, and polar vortex—you’re not crazy, the weather is. And last week, the USDA confirmed it by releasing an updated climate zone map for 2023. And for many ...

, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided farmers and gardeners a more accurate guide to planting in their local climates. Though the majority of Cumberland County remains in ...

Farmers aren’t the only ones who start the day by checking the weather report. Backyard gardeners do it, too. We like to be warned if frosts or polar vortexes are headed our way. If all I grew were ...

Anyone who loves gardening knows the importance of understanding their area’s growing conditions. To help farmers and gardeners lay the foundation for their crops and gardens, the United States ...

Before wasting time, money and effort in the garden, you need to take a close look the USDA Planting Zones. Here is how to understand it. You don’t want to start planting your garden without knowing ...

The first day of spring will be here before you know it! And for green thumbs, that means planning and starting your seasonal garden. But before you buy your seeds, there's some very important ...

Tom Oder is a writer, editor, and communication expert who specializes in sustainability and the environment with a sweet spot for urban agriculture. The official news that 2012 was the hottest year ...

Gardeners should always look at their growing climate before choosing plants for their landscapes. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners can determine which plants are ...