Hardiness Zone
/HAR-dee-nes ZOHN/🧑🌾 Cultivation● Basic
Also known as: USDA zone, plant hardiness zone, growing zone
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 13 zones (1a through 13b), each representing a 10°F range of average annual extreme minimum temperature. Zones are the primary tool for determining which perennials, trees, and shrubs will survive winter at a given location. They do not account for heat, humidity, soil, or summer conditions.
Etymology
English hardy (able to endure) + zone (belt, region)
Example
“Check the USDA hardiness zone on the plant tag to ensure it will survive your winters.”