While hardiness zones are a useful resource for planning a planting schedule, microclimates are the true indicator of when it is time to plant. Just as air temperatures can vary from one side of town to the other, the temperatures in your backyard garden can be different than your neighbor’s garden. Read More
Knowing when to expect frost is a huge factor in figuring out what to plant and when to plant it. Use this frost chart as a guideline for planning your spring and fall gardens. Read More
Consult a book, blog or fellow gardener for advice and you’ll be met with the same question: What’s your zone? You probably know that it has something to do with where you live, but where did these planting zones come from and how do you find out which one is yours? Read More
Now is the time to start planting your garden if you live in USDA Hardiness Zone 3. Zone 3 stretches along the U.S.-Canada border and includes cities like International Falls, Minn and Sidney, Mont. Read More
Planting time is now if you live in USDA Hardiness Zone 4. Zone 4 includes cities like Minneapolis/St. Paul, as well as northern Iowa, Nebraska and Montana. For the most part this region has only a spring planting season, but a few fast-growing crops may be planted again at the end of summer for an early fall harvest. Read More
Ensuring a successful harvest from your vegetable garden means planting at the right time for your region. Zone 6 includes cities like Branson, Mo. and Lebanon, Pa., as well as New Jersey, Appalachia and areas of the inland Pacific Northwest. Late March is about the earliest you can start planting in Zone 6. Read More
Knowing when to start seeds and when to transplant them into your garden will help you maximize your harvest. The rules for when to plant vary by region and average temperatures, but knowing your zone can be a helpful guideline. Zone 5 includes areas of the midwest, including most of Illinois; Des Moines, Iowa; Columbia, Mo.; and Mansfield, Penn. Read More
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