Galveston County is said to be in zone 9b and according to my temperature charts I have been keeping, that zone is correct. Yet no chart shows us to be in zone 9b, instead shows us to be in zone 9. Come on Texans your opinion and where do you get your info from. Thanks.
zone confusion
The zones are broken up into a's and b's as far as I know. I think I found a chart online when looking up gardening into and it put me in zone 8b but I've not had any luck in the last year trying to locate that same map.
Hopefully someone will have a smiliar link?
Here is a link to the USDA hardiness map that was updated in 1990. Click on the area of Texas to get a larger view and you can see the a & b divisions. Even within the sub-areas there are microclimates, so knowing the lowest temps your area experiences will help you determine your zone more precisely.
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/
It is also useful to know your heat zone, because some plants will not survive at sustained high temps. This map was designed by the American Horticultural Society and based on extensive research of many factors in addition to heat - elevation, proximity to large bodies of water, wind velocity, etc.
http://www.ahs.org/publications/heat_zone_map.htm
This message was edited Jan 27, 2007 9:33 PM
Thank you and yes I know the USDA chart shows us to be in zone 9. They are suppose to have a new chart coming out soon. Sure wish they would hurry.
Gardeners in Galveston county are considered to be in zone 9b and according to the temperature chart that is what we are. What I need to know is what chart shows us in 9b? It doesn't look like we are 9b on the USDA chart.
Hi Margie,
I was told by a Master Gardeners here in Clear Lake last year that we are now zone 10. Our temps here can be 5 degrees or higher than IAH.
Patti
Look at the temperature scale that accompanies the map. That's what I meant about knowing your lowest temp for your area. There's only a slight difference in the range between a & b - you can check with a Master Gardeners chapter or the county extension agent to find out what that lowest mark is for your area.
I am a MG for our area and I am doing research with hard facts. The island is consider zone 9 by the zone chart although we know it is closer to a zone 10. Off the island we are, according to the temp chart, zone 9b, but the zone chart shows us a zone 9. What my problem is I can't find a chart that backs up the fact that we are in zone 9b. The temp on the chart is not enough because it is conflicting, showing us in zone 9 but the temp shows us in 9b. I hope you understand where and what problem I am facing.
For CL to be a zone 10 it would need to be in the city. Lots of pavement and brick to create a micro- climate.
I'm sure when USDA upgrades their chart it will show us in 9b but until then I was hoping there was a chart to show us that now.
Thank you for all who have tried to help and anyone who can.
I had found an actual thing online that tells you if you were a or b but cannot find it anymore. Hopefully someone will have the link.
Neil Sperry's Texas Gardening shows a larger version of the USDA Plant Hardiness map which clearly shows the counties. Unfortunately, it is still too small to show the coastal islands. This A & M map is based on the 1990 USDA Plant Hardiness Zones map:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/cemap/hardiness.html
The Arbor Day Organization has a new map showing some central and south Texas sections moving from 8b to 9. However, the zones are not subdivided into "a" and "b." I would have believed the move last year. We're due for a real blast late next week. I'll have to reserve judgement until I see the lows then.
http://www.arborday.org/media/zones.cfm
Does anyone know when the new USDA map will be published?
Well Betty, it is a govt thing so who knows--lol
By the way the Amaryllis you gave me at last year's spring round up is about to bloom. Its my only amaryllis so it holds a special place in my heart. =)
I think because of the areas warming up a new zone chart is indeed warrant. The zone chart from USDA 1990 is outdated.
YUSKA you have the best idea, drop the zone and go by temperature scale only until a better zone chart is available. I do know that with only a 5 degrees difference in temperature, can kill some plants.
bettydee: I hope the new zone map is published soon. I did look at the Arbor Day chart and couldn't believe how far zone 9 goes. Zone 9 has really spread in the last several years. I read the USDA had hire Arbor Day to do a chart. USDA decided after seeing Arbor's finished chart that they would do their own. Apparently it is felt by the USDA that Arbor Day did not go far enough back to give accurate results. Some writers have said the USDA do not want to frighten people with global warming. Not sure how true that all is.
If you ask me I think gardeners would be able to make a really accurate chart without the government getting involved. Most of us are very aware of the growing conditions in our area.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Global warming is a MYTH in my estimation and a favorite topic of the DOOM AND GLOOMERS. Even El Nino is not behaving the way it has in the past this time. OK, the glaciers are "melting" and I always thought that ice melted occasionally. Ask any of us who have lived in Texas for many years or ask the Alaskans who have had more snow than they know what to do with this year. The New Yorkers are complaining (or were) that they weren't getting the snow they needed. Things are changing all over but I cannot believe Global Warming is a reality. Just a few years ago" they" were telling us that another ice age was coming. Beware when you hear the words "experts say" (Specifically which experts and exactly who are they), "critics say" (see experts say) and certain things are bad for you because they "Might" cause this or that. Give me solid proof, solid dates, solid facts and not something from the above mentioned. And don't preach about food additives and chemicals in foods being BAD for you. For some, they may be. Organic is nice but without additives and chemicals much of the world's food and products would be out of date and/or obsolete if they were not used.
OK, I'm off my soapbox for the time being but I'll be back............
Ann
El Nino is acting exactly as it has in the past here this winter--a classic El Nino winter here. Couldn't be any more perfect.
I think Global Warming is quite obvious. If you need scientific facts you might want to watch:
http://www.climatecrisis.net/
=)
dmj1218: I have to agree with you. Only those with blinders on or don't want to face facts will say different. There is just too much proof all around us.
climatecrisis.net - OMG!! Talk about the DOOM AND GLOOMERS The "experts" quoted are the ultimate ones. Again, the sky is falling - one drop at a time. I will agree to disagree if you will. Opposite opinions and a total lack of real facts. Ask the Weather Channel if this El Nino is as it was before. They totally disagree w/you. Love you but I am convinced you are wrong and causing yourself a lot of unnecessary "Ulcers" or ?? :>)
Ann
Ann: hee hee bad me, I knew I would get someone going. Ah, the nasty flu can bring out the malicious side of ones personality, but all done in fun. Please forgive me if I really upset you, as that was not my intention. Hearing the voice of gardeners on this subject is what I was seeking. I do agree to disagree on many of the subjects you have raised. It would be so boring if we all agreed. By voicing our differences, we can find a solution to our world problems. Yes, the world is changing better in some ways and worse in others. Oh GAD, I really do need to go back to bed! My mind is in overdrive. I have been doing way to much research today.
Actually, I do believe just from experience that we are in warmer times. What is written about the caps melting and coastlines’ changing contributes to this fact. Doomsday? No, caution would be more appropriate. Lets face it with the way we are living today it must have some effect on earth. Ulcers? No, unless worrying about having to make yet another bed to put all the plants I long for, in.
To bed I go with 2 cats, 4 blankets, and a box of Kleenex and I hope no hard feelings from anyone.
No hard feelings here. Sorry that you have the flu - what a bummer. My concern is that we were getting into a no-no of DG. No political discussion and a lot of this was edging toward that. Don't want any of us to get into trouble. Unfortunately, there are many "mooshey" minds out there that are too naive to really understand and/or differentiate between true facts and speculation/might be's/opinion. Let's get away from this!! Hope you feel better soon. I'm off to surgery tomorrow so it may be a day or 2 before I'll be back on. More fun and games....
Ann
PS Look at the temps in the US in the 1930's and see if you don't find the same type of weather that we are having worldwide. Just a thought...
Wow this zone question really changed up didn't it? ROFL!
Ann I happen to agree with you on the whole "climate change" issue. I'm not giving myself any ulcers about it. I do my part: reuse, reduce and recycle.
I think the latest icestorm we just had could debunk some of that...I am zone 8B and will continue to use that when choosing plants...the first time I plant something for a warmer zone..that'll be when ole man winter laughs and gives me snow and kills my plants...you just never know what ole man winter will do....life as with weather comes in cycles....Jeanne
Ann: I am so sorry to hear you going off to surgery. A little sunshine in the sky for you. I do hope you will be feeling better soon.
Tir_Na_Nog: If only more people would do their part earth would be a better place for our grandchildren and future generation. Thank goodness for gardeners, they are a special breed of people who work hard to better the environment and help save the wildlife.
YUSKA: I still think she has the best idea by dropping the zones and going by temps only. For the last few years I have kept records of nightly lows in our area and have found we don't go below 25 degrees. I'm not saying it won't happen but it is not the norm. I really am anxious to see where the zones on the new USDA chart puts everyone. It just might be an eye-opener, we'll see.
dmj1218: I've research a lot of what is happening around us. I agree, things are changing and a wake-up call is needed.
Happy gardening, may your roses smell better tomorrow than today.