Sunset zones vs USDA zones

[hoodat]

I've always paid more attention to Sunsets zone system than to hardiness zones. here is a good article explining the difference. http://www.lecooke.com/cms/additional-info/zones/about-sunset-climate-zones.html

 

[boggybranch]

I had always wondered what the difference was. I thought that the Sunset Zoning was mostly a west coast affiliated system.
Thanks for posting this. Gonna have to do a little more research, now.

 

[digitS']

"The U.S.D.A. maps tell you only where a plant may survive the winter; the Sunset climate zone maps let you see where that plant will thrive year-round."

I suppose that's true but one doesn't always find the Sunset information on a plant tag.

The USDA hardiness zones are, at least, based on an easily found variable, the average annual minimum temperature. That's very straight forward.

Sunset zones are based on . . . . . ? I think the choice of variables is proprietary. Well, they would probably be better than just winter cold info for growing perennials but you gotta convince the nurseries to provide that Sunset designation on their plants.

The USDA hardiness zones are really "screwy" for the West, Boggy. With temperate rain forests running way up the West Coast, it becomes all but impossible to compare a zone 7 or 8 in Texas with a zone 7 or 8 in Washington State. There's also the comparison of a zone 9 or 10 in Louisiana with a zone 9 or 10 in southern Arizona .

Then, I'm almost entirely a grower of annuals. The winter hardiness zone isn't for summer temperatures nor does it have anything to do with the length of the growing season.

My personal Sunset Zone is a 2! It could have been a #1 but I moved downhill about 35 years ago . . . . My USDA zone 5 counterparts in New England, are like in zone 42 . . . (snicker)

Steve

Sunset Zones

 

[wifezilla]

"Another snowy winter climate, Zone 2A covers several regions that are considered mild compared with surrounding climates. Youll find this zone stretched over Colorados northeastern plains, a bit of it along the Western Slope and Front Range of the Rockies, as well as mild parts of river drainages like those of the Snake, Okanogan, and the Columbia. It also shows up in western Montana and Nevada and in mountain areas of the Southwest. This is the coldest zone in which sweet cherries and many apples grow. Winter temperatures here usually hover between 10 and 20F (12 to 7C) at night, with drops between 20 and 30F (29 and 34C) every few years.When temperatures drop below that, orchardists can lose even their trees. The growing season is 100 to 150 days."

This is my area alright.

 

[boggybranch]

"Another snowy winter climate, Zone 2A covers several regions that are considered mild compared with surrounding climates. Youll find this zone stretched over Colorados northeastern plains, a bit of it along the Western Slope and Front Range of the Rockies, as well as mild parts of river drainages like those of the Snake, Okanogan, and the Columbia. It also shows up in western Montana and Nevada and in mountain areas of the Southwest. This is the coldest zone in which sweet cherries and many apples grow. Winter temperatures here usually hover between 10 and 20F (12 to 7C) at night, with drops between 20 and 30F (29 and 34C) every few years.When temperatures drop below that, orchardists can lose even their trees. The growing season is 100 to 150 days."

This is my area alright.

WOW...with a growing season of only 100 to 150 days means "you" can't be a 'lazy Suzy' when it's time to get busy, huh?