Attention Gardeners! The USDA Made A Game-Changing Update You NEED To Know!
🌷 Attention gardeners! The USDA just made a game-changing update to their Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Find out what it means for your spring garden in this must-read article! 🐝 #gardeningtips #springgardening #pollinatorgardens
Winona, Minnesota – Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start planning your garden! But before you break out the seeds and soil, there’s some important news you need to know. The USDA has updated their plant hardiness zone map for the first time in over a decade, and it’s a game-changer for gardeners across the Midwest.
What is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map?
For those who are new to gardening, the USDA creates a map that divides the country into 13 different zones based on the average lowest winter temperature. This map is a crucial tool for gardeners because it helps them determine which plants are most likely to thrive in their area.
Major Changes to the Map
The new map, which was recently released, shows that about half of the United States has shifted to a new hardiness zone. That’s right, the types of plants that can grow successfully have changed for 50 percent of the country! This is a big deal considering that 80 million Americans use this map to make decisions about what to plant in their gardens.
How to Use the New Map
The good news is that the USDA has made it super easy to find out what zone you’re in. They’ve created an interactive version of the map that’s completely free to use. All you have to do is type in your zip code, and it’ll show you a color-coded view of your area, along with what your zone was in 2012 and what it is now.
Even if you live in an area that hasn’t changed zones, it’s still a good idea to double-check the map before you start planting. The map also includes helpful tips on how to use it and other factors that can affect plant growth, like light, soil moisture, and humidity.
Planting for Pollinators
While you’re planning your garden, don’t forget about the tiny visitors that make it all possible: pollinators! Bees, butterflies, and other winged wonders are essential for transferring pollen from flower to flower, which allows plants to reproduce and make fruits and seeds.
Unfortunately, pollinator populations have been declining in some areas due to habitat destruction and misuse of chemicals. But there’s something simple you can do to help: plant flowers that attract pollinators!
Some great options include:
- Bee balm
- Black-eyed Susans
- Coneflowers
- Lavender
- Milkweed
- Zinnias
Just make sure to plant them in clumps or swaths so that pollinators can easily find them. And if you’re short on space, you can always plant them in containers or pots to add some variety to your landscaping.
Get Ready to Garden!
With the new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and these tips for planting for pollinators, you’re all set to have your best garden yet this spring. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start planting!
🗣 Are you excited to garden this season? What do you love about gardening? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
