Have you ever been confused when looking at a packet of seeds? I know I have! I always thought of Borrego Springs as Zone 13. BUT.. zone 13 was not listed on my new package of seeds. All seeds are not alike. Some of them come from other parts of the Country using the U.S.D.A. plant hardiness zone definitions. Borrego belongs in Zone 10, which refers to the lowest probable temperature we should experience during winter. ( 30 to 40 degrees ) In addition to that, the U.S. Arboretum has published a map, taking into consideration other factors...day length, radiation, temperature, frost,heat, rainfall and soil. ph. They realized that North America is now seeing wider fluctuations in temperature and rainfall than were experienced when the USDA map was created.
The American Horticultural Society, in 2003, published a different map...a Plant Heat Zone map which is based on the average number of days per year above 86 degrees F. According to that map, Borrego and vicinity could be hovering between zones 10, 11 with a spot or two in the 12 category. AND...if that's not enough...the Instituto de Ecologia, A.C. has yet another map of days per year over 86 degrees F. Many plants from Baja do well in our region. It interesting to see the similarities between Borrego and Baja!
These maps are only guides, but it does pay and is fun to familiarize yourself them!
No comments:
Post a Comment