What zone am I in?

9 years ago

Hi all, I had thought that I was in zone 6a for some reason (maybe from when I was in Boulder?), but I just did a zone search by zip code on Houzz, and they claim I'm in zone 4. I'm in northwest Arvada, near Leyden, zip 80007. Any ideas from you local folks? I do notice that my plants bloom a full two weeks later than my friend up in Niwot. But I've planted a lot of zone 5 plants and would be sad if they don't thrive.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Skybird - z5, Denver, Colorado

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi Faith,

This is the most useful map I've found in showing pretty specifically where each zone starts and stops--but always keep in mind that "zones" are only an indication of absolute temperatures! There are many, many other factors that come into play as to what you can and cannot successfully grow--soil, water, WIND, micro-climates in areas AND in your own yard, and more. This map shows you in Z5b, tho with climate warming you could probably easily grow Z6 stuff--again, depending on all the other variables. [Houzz is a HOUSE site, wasn't a "gardening" site in any way at all until they decided to take over GW, so for REAL gardening info I'd recommend coming HERE or else looking at other REAL gardening sites!]

Go to this site, zoom in close enough to get Arvada on the map, and then click on the 5A and 5b boxes on the left side and those two zones will appear on the map. To see more you can click, or unclick, any other zones you want to look at.

http://www.plantmaps.com/usda_hardiness_zone_map.php

Here are two more zone maps--but they're all but useless since you can't zoom in to them!

https://www.arborday.org/media/zones.cfm

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

And here's one more where you CAN zoom in--but you have to prove you're not a bot first! This one shows most of Arvada in Z6a! As you can see, there's differences of opinion even among The Map Makers! This map shows Z6 in green, while most of the others have Z5 in green, so be careful about what you're looking at when you switch to different maps!

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx

The first one I linked is the one I consider to be the most useful, and after that it's a matter of Trial and Error! If there's something you REALLY want that you're "not warm enough for," get one and find a "rock, wall, walk, fence, micro-climate" and try it there! Many things can be MADE to work--if you really want them--but not all!

Skybird

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Comments (8)

Kathy Crandall
9 years ago
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map says 6a
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Faith
Original Author
9 years ago
Looks like 6a. Thanks, guys! Glad it's not zone 4 after all. :)
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
9 years ago
Faith, The fact is that the zones are changing every day and are variable depending upon the actual area in your yard. While I do think that we can grow things now that say they are hardy to 6a, I usually err on the side of caution and use 5b for my zone.

However, taking risks can be fun too. If you find something you love that says it's only hardy to zone 6, plant away. Try to find it a protected spot.

I know one guy who has cannas in his yard that stay in the ground over winter. He's found just the right spot up against his house on the southeast side. It's protected and I think the sun on the bricks of his house keeps the soil just a tad warmer. I'm so envious!
Laura (Z5a Fort Collins, Colorado)
9 years ago
4b? 6a? I always joke that it depends on the year. :) I've lived in Fort Collins since 1983 and it seems that the only constant about our climate is that it can vary considerably from one year to the next. And don't even get me started about the drought or flood cycles that panic the poor newcomers....
Faith
Original Author
9 years ago
Well, some of my plants didn't make it through the winter, but I think that was due to the dryness rather than cold; it was super warm this winter. I didn't quite clue in to the fact that I needed to be providing moisture till February. And a lot of my plants were new last year, so too tender not to be babied, especially my perennials that I started from seed. Lots did make it, though, and I'm excited to see the flowers on those that don't bloom till year 2: columbine, echinacea, Shasta daisy, hollyhock...it's going to be awesome.
Laura (Z5a Fort Collins, Colorado)
9 years ago
Yeah, the lack of snow and the relentless, soul-sucking wind is what takes out most of my plants, as well. It looks like our semi-sweet cherry trees took a major hit this winter, even with supplemental watering. :(

Glad to hear a lot of your stock survived; I'm sure the blooms will be spectacular, for sure! :)
treebarb Z5 Denver
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Laura, what an apt description, "relentless, soul-sucking wind'! Before the rain started, things here looked like plant jerky and it's been such a challenge to plant in this wind. Let's hope the cold snap this weekend doesn't do much more damage and we can get spring back on track!