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Here's Why: Planting Zones Are Shifting In The U.S.

Planting zones have been shifting across the United States in recent decades. Meteorologist Michael Behrens explains why.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — When it comes to planting crops, or your backyard garden, there's hardly a more impactful factor than the weather. 

As weather patterns have shifted over time thanks to climate change, planting conditions across the country have also shifted. What this means is that advice passed down by your parents or grandparents on planting may now be out of date.

Average climate conditions are used to create so-called "plant hardiness zones" across the United States, and these are then used to recommend what people can plant, harvest, or grow in the region where they live. The map considers annual minimum temperatures averaged over a 30-year period, with each zone having a 10 degree range. 

Credit: USDA
Current plant hardiness zones around the United States.

What we have seen over time is that these zones have been shifting more northward as climate change brings in warming temperatures. That means regions that were previously too cold for certain species now may be open to a wider variety of planting options. 

While this may sound like nothing but good news, it's not all so rosy. With the additional planting opportunities, you will also see a rise in insect populations, invasive plants, and invasive insects and animals. This may cause great harm to local plant life and crops that the region had previously been able to support. 

If your planting knowledge has stayed up to date over the years, nothing has changed in Grand Rapids since the early 2000s. That is when we changed from zone 5 to zone 6. Since then we have stabilized in zone 6.  

Credit: Climate Central
The shift in planting zone for Grand Rapids since 1980.

Stability is not the case for all regions. Just down the road in Flint, Michigan they also shifted into zone 6 back in the 2000s. However, in just about 10 years, they have fallen back into zone 5 and are currently on a declining path. 

Frequent changes in annual lowest temperature can make selecting the right crops for the fields or your garden into something of a guessing game. 

Credit: Climate Central
The change in planting zones for Flint, Michigan since 1980.

If climate trends continue as they have in the last 50 years, we are likely awaiting more ups and downs as planting regions continue to shift. That means the planting advice that we can give out today, may no longer be the same tomorrow. 

-- Meteorologist Michael Behrens

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Email me at: MBehrens@13OnYourSide.com

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