GREENSBORO, N.C. — Climate change is changing what can grow in your garden and when according to the USDA. The agency just released new maps showing the plant hardiness zones are shifting. Greensboro has gone from Zone 7 to the warmer Zone 8.
Ben Grandon with the Guilford County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension explains what this means:
“It doesn't mean we can go down to Florida and buy a bunch of palm trees,” said Grandon. “We're not growing oranges. We might be able over winter to have lemons do a little bit better. But a lot isn't going to be changing. I don't know if I could suggest any new plants. I know that a lot of things we have been trying are hostas that haven't been taken over quite as well by the cold. different plants are going to be a little bit more opportunistic. Maybe some gardenias are going to be able to thrive in different parts of the home area better. But I don't think it's really a major change.”
According to Urban Farmer Seed Company the different zones do mean when you plant stuff is different. Take Broccoli for example: In Zone 7 you were supposed to plant it in February. But in the new Zone 8, you can plant it in January.
If you still have questions about what to plant and when to plant, you can always ask for help at the NC Cooperative Extension or any greenhouse.
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