Which Climate/Plant zone are you using

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chedderpink Anacortes, WA Oct 14, 2011

I live in Anacortes, WA about 3 blocks from Guemes Channel, N W exposure. According to Sunset Western Garden it is very clear that I am in Zone 5. As far as the USDA Zone maps are concerned I guess I'm in Zone 8, but which one A, B, or C? It is very hard to read, especially with my old eyes. barb

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Oct 14, 2011

Sunset zones take more climate variables into account (summer highs, winter lows, rainfall, humidity, etc) so I've found them more useful in predicting what will do well in my garden. USDA zones only take into account winter low temperatures and nothing else, but the advantage is everyone else in the country will know what they mean. If you post that you're in zone 5, people who don't know the Sunset zones (which will be pretty much anyone not on the west coast) will be confused and think that you have much colder winters than you really do, so you may get advice that's not really applicable. For the USDA zones, it sounds like you're right by the water so that would tell me 8b from looking at the zone map, but if you're having trouble figuring out if you're 8a or 8b then I'd assume 8a to be safe--that way you won't try to grow things that might not like your zone. (there is no such thing as 8c in the USDA zones)

So...long story short, my suggestion would be to put zone 8 in your profile on here so everyone else has a better idea of what your climate is, but then when you're considering what plants to put in your garden also take a look at whether they're OK for your Sunset zone to be extra sure they'll do well in your area (I've found plenty of things that are supposed to be hardy in zone 9 that don't do well for me, but I hardly ever have trouble with things that are listed for my Sunset zone 14)

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