What Is My Plant Hardiness Zone?

By Ms. Susan M. Collins-Smith

Get in the zone! Planting zone, that is.

Do you know what your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone is? USDA Plant Hardiness Zones are based on the average annual minimum winter temperatures across the U.S. These minimum temperatures are broken down into 10-degree increments and provide a guide for which landscape plants are cold hardy for a given area. The map is produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Mississippi has four zones, from 9a on the extreme Gulf Coast to 7b in the northeastern third of the state. Zones 8a and 8b occur in the center and lower third of the state.

If you are planning to plant perennial shrubs, trees and flowers, this map will help you choose the ones that will tolerate winter temperatures in Mississippi. Keep in mind that some plants will still have cold damage from temperatures that drop into the 20s on the coast and the teens and lower in north Mississippi.

Whether you shop at local garden centers or online, plants are labeled with their hardiness zone. Make sure these match your zone for reliable perennial plant performance.

The interactive USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map has its own website. Enter your zip code and zoom in on your location to find your zone. Static maps are also available for download.

Gary Bachman’s weekly Southern Gardening column is full of advice about landscape plants that thrive in Mississippi. You can also follow Southern Gardening on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

If you have vegetable gardening on your mind, this planning zone map will help you decide when to plant a variety of vegetables based on where you live in the state.