USDA Planting Zone Lookup
Select your state to find your USDA hardiness zone, frost dates, growing season, and recommended crops.
Select a state above to view planting zone information.
All States: USDA Hardiness Zones at a Glance
| State | USDA Zones | Last Frost | First Frost | Season (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7a-8b | Mar 1 - Apr 1 | Oct 25 - Nov 15 | 220 |
| Alaska | 1a-7b | May 15 - Jun 15 | Aug 15 - Sep 15 | 105 |
| Arizona | 4b-10b | Feb 1 - Apr 15 | Oct 15 - Dec 15 | 270 |
| Arkansas | 6b-8a | Mar 15 - Apr 15 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 | 210 |
| California | 4b-11a | Jan 15 - Apr 15 | Oct 15 - Dec 31 | 290 |
| Colorado | 3b-7a | Apr 15 - Jun 1 | Sep 15 - Oct 15 | 150 |
| Connecticut | 5b-7a | Apr 15 - May 15 | Sep 30 - Oct 31 | 170 |
| Delaware | 7a-7b | Apr 1 - Apr 15 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 | 200 |
| District of Columbia | 7a-7b | Apr 1 - Apr 15 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 | 200 |
| Florida | 8b-11a | Jan 15 - Mar 1 | Nov 15 - Dec 31 | 310 |
| Georgia | 7a-9a | Mar 1 - Apr 1 | Oct 15 - Nov 15 | 240 |
| Hawaii | 10a-13a | N/A (frost-free) | N/A (frost-free) | 365 |
| Idaho | 3b-7a | Apr 15 - Jun 15 | Sep 1 - Oct 15 | 140 |
| Illinois | 5a-7a | Apr 1 - May 1 | Oct 1 - Oct 31 | 180 |
| Indiana | 5b-6b | Apr 15 - May 1 | Oct 1 - Oct 15 | 175 |
| Iowa | 4b-5b | Apr 15 - May 1 | Oct 1 - Oct 15 | 160 |
| Kansas | 5b-7a | Apr 1 - Apr 30 | Oct 1 - Oct 31 | 185 |
| Kentucky | 6a-7a | Apr 10 - Apr 30 | Oct 10 - Oct 31 | 190 |
| Louisiana | 8a-9b | Feb 15 - Mar 15 | Nov 1 - Dec 1 | 260 |
| Maine | 3b-6a | May 1 - Jun 1 | Sep 15 - Oct 15 | 140 |
| Maryland | 6a-8a | Mar 30 - Apr 30 | Oct 10 - Nov 10 | 195 |
| Massachusetts | 5b-7a | Apr 15 - May 15 | Sep 30 - Oct 31 | 170 |
| Michigan | 4a-6b | Apr 15 - May 15 | Sep 30 - Oct 31 | 160 |
| Minnesota | 3a-4b | Apr 15 - May 15 | Sep 15 - Oct 15 | 150 |
| Mississippi | 7b-9a | Mar 1 - Mar 30 | Oct 25 - Nov 15 | 240 |
| Missouri | 5b-7a | Apr 1 - Apr 30 | Oct 1 - Oct 31 | 185 |
| Montana | 3a-6a | May 1 - Jun 15 | Sep 1 - Oct 1 | 120 |
| Nebraska | 4a-5b | Apr 15 - May 15 | Sep 30 - Oct 15 | 160 |
| Nevada | 4a-9b | Mar 15 - May 30 | Sep 15 - Nov 15 | 165 |
| New Hampshire | 4a-6a | May 1 - May 30 | Sep 15 - Oct 15 | 145 |
| New Jersey | 6a-7b | Apr 1 - May 1 | Oct 10 - Nov 10 | 195 |
| New Mexico | 4b-8b | Mar 15 - May 15 | Sep 30 - Nov 1 | 180 |
| New York | 4a-7b | Apr 1 - May 15 | Sep 30 - Nov 1 | 175 |
| North Carolina | 6a-8b | Mar 15 - Apr 15 | Oct 15 - Nov 10 | 215 |
| North Dakota | 3a-4b | May 1 - May 30 | Sep 15 - Oct 1 | 130 |
| Ohio | 5b-6b | Apr 15 - May 1 | Oct 1 - Oct 31 | 175 |
| Oklahoma | 6b-8a | Mar 15 - Apr 15 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 | 210 |
| Oregon | 5b-9b | Mar 15 - May 30 | Sep 30 - Nov 15 | 195 |
| Pennsylvania | 5b-7a | Apr 15 - May 10 | Oct 1 - Oct 31 | 175 |
| Rhode Island | 6a-7a | Apr 15 - May 1 | Oct 10 - Oct 31 | 175 |
| South Carolina | 7b-9a | Mar 1 - Apr 1 | Oct 25 - Nov 15 | 235 |
| South Dakota | 3b-5a | May 1 - May 30 | Sep 15 - Oct 1 | 135 |
| Tennessee | 6a-7b | Mar 30 - Apr 20 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 | 200 |
| Texas | 6b-10a | Feb 1 - Apr 1 | Oct 15 - Dec 1 | 260 |
| Utah | 4a-8a | Apr 15 - May 30 | Sep 15 - Oct 31 | 155 |
| Vermont | 3b-5b | May 1 - May 30 | Sep 15 - Oct 15 | 140 |
| Virginia | 5b-8a | Mar 30 - Apr 30 | Oct 10 - Nov 10 | 200 |
| Washington | 4b-9a | Mar 15 - May 15 | Sep 30 - Nov 15 | 195 |
| West Virginia | 5b-7a | Apr 15 - May 10 | Oct 1 - Oct 31 | 170 |
| Wisconsin | 3b-5b | Apr 25 - May 25 | Sep 20 - Oct 15 | 150 |
| Wyoming | 3a-5b | May 15 - Jun 15 | Sep 1 - Sep 30 | 115 |
What Is a USDA Hardiness Zone?
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 13 zones based on average annual minimum winter temperatures. Each zone represents a 10-degree Fahrenheit range, further divided into "a" and "b" subzones of 5 degrees each. Zone 1a is the coldest (below -60 F) and Zone 13b is the warmest (above 70 F).
Hardiness zones help gardeners determine which perennial plants, trees, and shrubs are most likely to survive winter in their area. When a plant is described as "hardy to Zone 6," it means it can withstand minimum temperatures of -10 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual vegetables are less dependent on hardiness zones since they complete their life cycle in one growing season, but frost dates and growing season length still matter.
How to Use Your Planting Zone
Once you know your zone, you can make better decisions about which plants to grow and when to plant them. Check plant tags and seed packets for zone recommendations. Use your last frost date to determine when to start seeds indoors (typically 6-8 weeks before) and when it is safe to transplant seedlings outdoors. Your first frost date tells you when to plan your fall harvest and when tender plants need protection.
Keep in mind that zones are based on averages. Microclimates in your yard (south-facing walls, low-lying frost pockets, urban heat islands) can shift your effective zone up or down. Elevation, proximity to water, and wind exposure all play a role in your specific growing conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a USDA hardiness zone?
A USDA hardiness zone is a geographically defined area based on average annual extreme minimum temperatures. The USDA divides the U.S. into 13 zones (1a through 13b), each representing a 5-degree Fahrenheit temperature range. These zones help gardeners determine which perennial plants are likely to survive winter in their location.
How do I find my zone?
Use the dropdown above to select your state and see the range of zones present. For a more precise zone based on your ZIP code, visit the USDA's official Plant Hardiness Zone Map at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov. Within a single state, zones can vary significantly due to elevation, latitude, and proximity to large bodies of water.
What can I plant in Zone 7?
Zone 7 (0 to 10 F minimum) supports a wide range of plants including azaleas, dogwoods, crepe myrtles, Japanese maples, figs, blueberries, and many perennial flowers. For vegetables, the growing season is typically 6-7 months, allowing warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, and squash as well as cool-season crops like lettuce, broccoli, and peas.
What is the difference between hardiness zone and growing zone?
A hardiness zone tells you the coldest winter temperature a plant can survive, which matters most for perennials, trees, and shrubs. A growing zone (or heat zone) considers summer heat and the number of days above 86 F. Some plants may survive the cold but struggle with excessive heat. For annual vegetables, growing season length and frost dates are more relevant than hardiness zones alone.