For the longest time, much of metro-Detroit was classified as a 5A/5B. I planted as such for a long time. Then I started noticing things. I could grow broccoli unprotected into December. My bulbs were coming up early. I could start seeds in the ground before Memorial Day. Made me think that maybe out here in the 'burbs, we were more like a zone 5B/6A. I even noted that in my blog on my " garden harvest totals" page.
Lo and behold, seems the lake effect does more than dump snow on the west side of the state and the Thumb. It seems it also keeps the Lake Michigan coast a little bit warmer than we thought. It means Kalamazoo and suburban Detroit are BOTH a zone 6A. Now remember-this has NOTHING to do with precipitation. Kalamazoo and the west side of the state will continue to get massive amounts of precip.
What this means is that while I thought I was "pushing" my zone by growing some things for Zone 6 on the south side of my house, I might be able to push a zone 7 plant with protection on the south side. It opens up a huge list of plants that are hardy to a Zone 6-a few more Lavenders are options, maybe some JAsmine or Crepe Myrtle. I might go crazy and plant a few new grasses, like Pink Muhly, which I've always wanted but didn't want to deal with covering it.
So, Michigan gardeners (and you other gardeners)--what do you think of the new zones? Will it change what you plant?
How lucky for you that they have changed their mind for your benefit. Mine didn't really change, I am still 4. They say 4b but it depends on the year, my records still indicate that I am sometimes bordering 3b. So much for getting excited about the change. This year I think if it were called average I would be pushing a 6.
ReplyDeleteUgh--a 4? Wow. I really couldn't agree more with our official change. We're a suburb; lots of concrete to create heat islands in both summer and winter. This year, though, is one for the records here, too! Sooo warm. My kids have been outside TWICE this week with no jackets. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the changes for us. It isn't a huge shock. 2 years in a row we didn't get a hard freeze till Thanksgiving or later. And being in the city we never got a frost till then either. Would love to hear your thoughts on edibile perennials for zone 7 that I might try in my yard. Shade tolerant preferred. (If it isn't too much to ask. ;)
ReplyDeletePatty, I'm thinking rhubarb, alpine strawberries and asparagus might be worth a go for you. They all will tolerate various amount of shade. Lemme go look up a few others that might be worthwhile. Oh--carrots don't need a heck of a lot of sun, either.
DeleteI changed to 4b--not enough of a difference, I suppose, but I have noticed that I can extend things a bit more. We still get our crazy late frosts (June 4 up here) and still get a frost in early September, but yet the warm-ups after seem to stretch later and later. Oh, to be a zone 5............
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