A Question About Zones

Here is a question that I guess may put me in the "not too bright" catagory:

I live in Southern New Jersey, and am a bit perplexed about the zones for planting. Always thought that I am in zone 7, but when I clicked on the map DG says that I am in zone 6b. Also don't understand the a and b...what is the difference?

Hi hedandan and welcome to DG.

Your question is a good one and no question ever goes in the not to bright catagory ;-)

In my opinion the whole Zone thing needs to be reworked. I am in zone 9. The difference between my zone 9 and say California's zone 9 are worlds apart. We have the humdity and summer monsoons, Calif. doesn't.

The difference between a&b are only by 5* or so. In my case, the difference between A&B would be growing really nice tropicals in the ground or really nice BIG tropicals in the ground.

Many folks have never realized that A&B's were ever created. This was something done after the fact of hardiness zones were created. I hope this helps somewhat.

here is a link to the USDA gov. site:http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/index.html

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hrdzon3.html explains A&B


edited 'cause my spelling is horrible

This message was edited Sunday, Mar 16th 8:15 AM

This message was edited Sunday, Mar 16th 8:27 AM

THANK YOU,Lisa, ever so much! Those "hyperlinks" are really informative.

Being a New Member of Dave's Garden....I am so glad that I
found this friendly, beautiful, helpful group!!

Hedy :-))

I am in zone 6 right on the border of zone 5.

What I have done is to watch the min/max temps in my own garden the past few years. Some of us live in a micro climate and are totally different that what the maps say.
Min/Max thermometers are useful for this task.

We have not reached zone 6 lows here for the past 6-7 years.

I live about 7-8 miles from the airport where the official temps are recorded. However my temps are usually higher that what the weather bureau says.

The USDA is supposed to release new zone information this year. I think most of us will go up a zone due to the global warming.

Paul

Hey Hedandan Welcome to Dave's!!!! I too am in south jersey too right near the Cape May County Zoo!!!!

I lived in Hammonton for 11 year's (first marriage) and have ton's of family that live there too!!!!!! My last name was RUBERTON (not the rich one's either)!!!

I am so happy to have another NJ member join DG, you are going to love it here!!!!!!!


sue

HI YA' SUE!!!! Yes, the name of Ruberton is well known in the town of Hammonton! Am happy to run into someone from my
"neck of the woods". There were a couple of Rubersons in my graduation class of Good'Ol Hammonton High! (That was a long, long time ago, tho!)

Have gone past the Cape May County Zoo many times. Always wanted to drop in there, but every time we were in a hurry to get somewhere and didn't have time to stop.

Have a very good friend that lives in South Seaville!

Thanks for the welcome!!

Hedy

Hedy South Seaville is just a few block's from me.

And as for Hammonton High my X is 44 and I think he graduated in 1976, his first name is Bob (has a brother Eddie) and they lived on Pleasant Mills Road. His Mom was a secretary at the HS for many year's too!!!!!!!!

I hope you are enjoying DG, it is the Best Gardensite going!!! The only problem is it is more addicting than Coffee and Cigaretts!!!!! hehe

sue

Good Sunday Morning Sue.....I'll say its addicting!!! Here I sit, at my computer, instead of sitting in Saint Martin's.
OR, out in the kitchen, getting breakfast ready!!!

Judging by your X's age....I'd say that I am old enough to be your grandma! My eldest son is just a couple of years older than 44. Also, oddly enough, I was a secretary in the Hammonton Highschool office, too!!!! (in the '50's...Mr.
Gillespie was H.S. principal). SOME COINCIDENCE, huh?????

Hedy :-))

hedandan, hi again from another NJ gardener. Most of NJ is considered zone 6, except for a 10 mile strip along the coast which is zone 7 due to the maritime influence. Generally. Then, you can get into 6b and 7a... I am on the border of 6 and 7 myself. Have also been to Hammonton once or twice while traveling the Black Horse Pike. John

Thanks John...seems like 6 and 7 are interchangable. I mean that plants listed for zone 7 will probably do just as well
in zone 6.

Hedy :-))

I agree, Hedy. I have found that cannas, callas, gingers, gladioli, and others will survive most winters, especially if well drained, and perhaps near the foundation of the house. I did find that some tender plants that survived on my cold porch down to 10 degrees, were killed off at 5 degrees, however.

Pretty cool Hedy! My X- mother in law's last name was Patale (marie) and she married Ron Ruberton!!!!!! We will just have to get together when you come to your friend's house and compare note's!!!!

Please forgive me for not telling you that housework and feeding your family go right out the window when it come's to Dave's!!!!!!!

And John you forgot to mention HOSTA'S!!!!!! hehe



sue

Sue....Thanks for the invite!!!

Hedy :-))