The United States Department of Agriculture created a USDA Hardiness Zone map to aid in plant selection for everyone from the homeowner to commercial grower. Just this past week, the Department announced a new, updated map to address the climate changes we have all noticed no matter where we live. So what does this mean for Tucson and Green Valley? Not much.
The USDA maps still do not address the unique desert attributes that make it possible for certain plants to grow in the Phoenix or Tucson area, but not in Green Valley. This new map still indicates that Tucson and Seattle are in the same hardiness zone. Knowing the difference in yearly rainfall and summer high temperatures alone is enough to realize what grows in Seattle does not necessarily grow in Arizona.
The most reliable climate zone map for our area is still the Sunset Western Garden Zone Map. Another good rule of thumb is to remember that our desert winter nights can get well below freezing. Tucson’s lowest recorded temperature is 6 degrees. The winter lows and summer highs are the most important factors to consider when choosing what to plant in your landscape.
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