Regional Climate Guide

Plant by your zone, then check the region

A USDA zone screens winter cold tolerance. Your region adds summer heat, rainfall, frost timing, wind, soil, and the length of the usable season.

Choose a zone Open the official USDA map

US Growing Regions

Regions that include Zone 3

Two yards can share a hardiness number while receiving different rain, summer heat, wind, and frost windows.

4 regions

Zones 3–7

Northeast

-40°F to 10°F

Four distinct seasons pair cold winters with moderate summers. Hardy perennials and cold-tolerant grasses carry the garden between short weather windows.

Rainfall: 35–50 inches annually
Growing season: 120–180 days
Winter low: -10°F to 10°F
Summer high: 75°F to 85°F

Conditions to plan around

Heavy snow and ice
Late spring frosts
Short northern growing seasons
Acidic soil in many areas

Regional footprint

Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey

Plants that show the regional range

Sugar MapleZone 3–8

Purple ConeflowerZone 3–9

HostaZone 3–9

Kentucky BluegrassZone 2–7

Zones 3–6

Midwest

-40°F to 0°F

Large temperature swings reward cold-hardy plants that can also handle humid summers and late-season dry spells.

Rainfall: 25–40 inches annually
Growing season: 140–190 days
Winter low: -20°F to 0°F
Summer high: 80°F to 90°F

Conditions to plan around

Extreme winter cold
Hot humid summers
Severe storms
Heavy clay soil
Late-summer drought

Regional footprint

Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska

Plants that show the regional range

Black-Eyed SusanZone 3–9

Bur OakZone 3–8

Little BluestemZone 3–9

Wild BergamotZone 3–9

Zones 3–6

Mountain West

-40°F to 0°F

Elevation brings intense sun, low humidity, and large day-to-night temperature swings. The usable growing season can be short.

Rainfall: 12–25 inches annually
Growing season: 90–150 days
Winter low: -10°F to 20°F
Summer high: 75°F to 90°F

Conditions to plan around

Short growing season
Late and early frost
Intense UV
Low humidity
Rocky alkaline soil

Regional footprint

Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

Plants that show the regional range

Blue SpruceZone 2–7

ColumbineZone 3–8

Buffalo GrassZone 3–9

PenstemonZone 3–9

Zones 3–7

Great Plains

-40°F to 10°F

Windy semi-arid grasslands combine hot summers, cold winters, drought, and severe storms. Tough prairie plants have the best fit.

Rainfall: 15–30 inches annually
Growing season: 140–200 days
Winter low: -10°F to 10°F
Summer high: 85°F to 100°F

Conditions to plan around

Severe wind
Hail and tornadoes
Temperature extremes
Periodic drought
Alkaline soil

Regional footprint

North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Northern Texas

Plants that show the regional range

Blazing StarZone 3–9

Sideoats GramaZone 4–9

Eastern Red CedarZone 2–9

Purple ConeflowerZone 3–9

USDA Reference

Read the winter temperature bands

Each full zone spans 10°F. Local a and b subzones divide that band into 5°F steps.

Temperature based

The number comes from average annual extreme minimum temperature, not an average winter day.

Useful for perennials

Trees, shrubs, and returning perennials need a winter band that matches their cold tolerance.

One part of the site

Summer heat, humidity, rainfall, drainage, and microclimates can still remove a plant from the shortlist.

Zone 1Below -50°F Zone 2-50°F to -40°F Zone 3-40°F to -30°F Zone 4-30°F to -20°F Zone 5-20°F to -10°F Zone 6-10°F to 0°F Zone 70°F to 10°F Zone 810°F to 20°F Zone 920°F to 30°F Zone 1030°F to 40°F Zone 1140°F to 50°F Zone 1250°F to 60°F Zone 1360°F to 70°F

Frost Calendar