With spring around the corner it is time to start thinking of our gardens and lawns. And if you are hoping to keep those thriving it is important to have all the relevant information you can. This should include the news that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA_, updated the Plant Hardiness Zones in the fall of this previous year. The last time the zones changed was in 2012, a decade ago.
For Meeker this means that we are still in the 5a zone (-20°F to -15°F), but are considered zone 4b (-25°F to -20°F), and 5b now as well (-15°F to -10°F).
For Rangely, nothing has changed with the 2023 update. The previous 2012 USDA Hardiness Zone Map had Rangely in zones 5a (-20°F to -15°F) and 5b (-15°F to -10°F), and the 2023 map shows the same.
Grand Junction is also unchanged with the 2023 update; the maps have kept them in zones 6b (-5°F to 0°F) and 7a (0°F to 5°F). But if we look East into the mountains we will find changes for both Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs. Glenwood shows an additional zone now with both 6a (-10°F to -5°F) and 6b (-5°F to 0°F). It previously was only marked as 6a (-10°F to -5°F). Steamboat’s zones have been simplified however, now with only two zones, 4b (-25°F to -20°F) and 5a (-20°F to -15°F), when it previously also had zone 4a (-30°F to -25°F).
By visiting https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ or https://www.plantmaps.com/ you can examine the Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM) for yourself.
Why is this important information to know about your area? Every time you pick up a plant from the nursery the tag will show you what hardiness zone that plant will thrive in. The hydrangeas you might see in Fort Collins or peonies blooming in Palisade will likely die before the end of the season if you attempt to grow them in Meeker, unfortunately. Knowing your zones will help you know what plants you can be a good friend to.
From the USDA website about the updated 2023 Hardiness Zone Map’s new data:
The edition of the USDA PHZM revised and published in 1990 was drawn from weather data from 1974–1986. The longer period (30 years) of data in the 2012 and this 2023 version of the USDA PHZM was selected by the group of horticultural, botanical, and climatological experts who led the review of the latest revision as the best balance between smoothing out the fluctuations of year-to-year weather variation and the concept that, during their lifetimes, perennial plants mostly experience what is termed “weather” rather than “climate.” The 1991-2020 period also aligns with the period currently in use by climatologists to describe baseline climate “normals” in the U.S.
BY ADRIENNE WIX
