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Every part of the world has its own hardiness zones, and most maps are set up the same way. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, for example, is a color-coded or shaded map, sometimes accompanied by a chart that expresses the same information. Check out the Color Insert to see this map; you can also see the map (and others) in many places after you become tuned in to it — a poster tacked up on the wall at your local garden center, the back flyleaf of gardening books, in the back pages of most garden magazines, tucked into the interior of your favorite gardening catalog, or online. The map is interactive so you can find your zone by entering your Zip code. You can check this map out at the National Gardening Association NGA) website at https://garden.org/nga/zipzone/ or other online versions of the map, often found on the websites of mail-order seed companies and plant nurseries, which usually are interactive.

The United States Department of Agriculture published, and has occasionally modified and updated, this hardiness zone map of North America. The most recent map, based on climate data gathered at National Weather Service stations throughout the United States and by weather stations throughout Canada and Mexico, came out in 1990 and was updated in 2012. You can find 11 zones marking the average lowest winter temperatures, with Zones 2–10 divided into subzones.

Canada’s plant hardiness zone map, suited for Canada’s colder climate, shows nine zones, based on average climatic conditions and altitude of each area. The harshest zone is 0, and the mildest is 8. In addition, the major zones are further divided into subzones. For example, Zone 4 splits into 4a and 4b, where zone a is slightly colder than zone b. You can see Canada’s map in the Color Insert or online at http://planthardiness.gc.ca/.

Here are a few other hardiness zone maps that may interest you:

 Europe: The Hardiness Zone Map of Europe presents a general overview of the European continent and can be broken down further into each European nation and the zones within it. You can see this map online at www.gardenia.net/guide/european-hardiness-zones. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offers plant hardiness information for United Kingdom. Check this out on their website at www.rhs.org.uk.

 China: China’s plant hardiness zone map covers arguably largest and most varied gardening spots in the world. You can view it at www.backyardgardener.com/zone/china.

 Australia: The Australian government has established a series of maps that many Australian gardeners use to gauge not only planting zones and climates but also rainfall. To view the plant hardiness zone map of Australia, go to www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/research/hort.research/zones.html.

You can find zone maps for South America and Africa online as well.