Question: I know the USDA recently issued a new Hardiness Zone map. I live in Lehigh Acres, which is a little colder than most of Lee County. With the changes, I’m wondering if I can consider expanding my list of native plants for my garden, being that so many of them are tropical in origin? In particular, I would like to add a gumbo limbo to my front yard. – Margie, Lehigh Acres
Answer: The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the guide used by gardeners throughout the United States to determine which plants are a good fit for their yard as determined by temperature adaptation. The map is based on the average extreme minimum winter temperature for a particular location.
The zones are displayed in 10ºF increments, and 5ºF half zones. To find the Plant Hardiness Zone at your location go to this link https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/.
Enter your zip code in the search bar provided above the map. It will give you both the Plant Hardiness Zones and matching temperatures in 2012, the year of the last revision, and in 2023 the year of the latest revision.