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Texas Gardening Information – Do You Know Your Zone?
The coolest zone indicated by the Texas USDA planting map is 6b, located in the northern part of the state. The rest of Texas enjoys a very warm climate year round, including the winter months. The remaining Texas zones include 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b and 9a. Winter lows may drop down to -5 degrees F. or be as warm as 20 degrees F., depending on your location in the state.
Gardeners rely on the zone information presented in the Texas planting map as featured above. Just click on the map to enlarge it and find your planting zone. Your zone will help you choose appropriate plants that will thrive in your winter weather.
The USDA plant hardiness map is an upgrade from the 1990’s map, which was not nearly as sophisticated as the new map, released at the beginning of 2012. The new zone divisions also take into consideration other factors such as elevation, proximity to a large body of water and urban heat.
Although the Texas zone map is not a guarantee that plants will survive, it does provide a very strong framework for planning a garden. Other factors may come into play when considering the success or failure of a particular shrub, flower or tree such as planting location, soil condition and humidity. Once you have purchased a plant that is suitable for your growing region, be sure to follow the planting care instructions carefully.