Plant Hardiness Zones
The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and is available on their website. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones.
2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, courtesy USDA Agricultural Research Service.
The map is available as an interactive GIS-based map, for which a broadband Internet connection is recommended, and as static images for those with slower Internet access. Users may also simply type in a ZIP Code and find the hardiness zone for that area.