CCE Master Gardeners Share New USDA Plant Hardiness Map

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (November 20, 2023) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Master Gardener Program would like to share the announcement of the new Plant Hardiness Map released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The last time the map was updated was in 2012. An average of 30 years lowest degrees were used to update the map. When the map was published in 2012, information from a total of 7,893 during the years of 1976 to 2005 was used. The 2023 map is from the culmination of 13,412 weather stations from 1991 to 2020.

The map is divided into 13 zones of 10 degrees each. These zones are divided in half by 5 degrees. The map shows an average increase of 2.5 degrees across contiguous United States. Although there was a higher increase in the Midwest than there was in the Southeast. Locally, most of Chautauqua County is now Zone 6 with some Zone 5 south of Route 17. The shoreline of Lake Erie is now Zone 7.

The Plant Hardiness Map is extremely important to gardeners and growers. They use the map to determine what perennials are best grown in their location.

With a warmer temperate shift, gardeners may have noticed or will notice an increase in invasive species, including garden pests and aggressive weeds. Our master gardeners are ready to help with your garden questions, identification, or issue. Bring your question to the Help Line by telephone, e-mail or walk in on Wednesdays Noon to 2PM during the growing season. Our garden experts will review your request and set you in the right direction. Also, as an extra bonus if you bring in a soil sample our garden team will test for PH. PH is important for the adsorption of nutrients in your soil.

Contact us by Phone at 716-664-9502 extension 224, e-mail chautauquamg@cornell.edu or visit us at the JCC Carnahan Center; 525 Falconer Street; P.O. Box 20; Jamestown, NY 14702-0020, during helpline hours. the "GPS friendly address is 241 James Ave; Jamestown, NY" look for the RED Cornell Signs.

The Master Gardener Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated November 20, 2023