Pacific Northwest Gardening: Understanding 5a, 0 by beadmom

beadmom wrote:
Bend, OR zone:5a

When I see something that grows in zone 5-9 does this include 5a? I know it might be a silly question but we are a lot colder where I live than in town. I am 500 ft higher than where town is. Is 5a closer to 4 (assuming 4 is on the colder less growth friendly side of the scale...) Should I consider my self something else because I am not the same as where we are measured?

I have a lot of stuff that is zoned for 5-9 an it rarely survives the winter.

Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Ginger