A USDA Zone 7 designation means average annual minimum is 0 to 10°F. It says nothing about when the last frost typically occurs in spring or how variable that date is. Two locations in the same zone can have last-frost dates 2-3 weeks apart. Frost-date pages give the actual probability distribution for your county.
Frost Dates & Planting Timing
What is the difference between a hardiness zone and a frost date?
USDA hardiness zones measure average annual minimum winter temperature — useful for predicting whether perennials survive winter. Frost dates measure when last spring and first fall frosts actually occur — useful for planning annual crop planting and harvest. Zones tell you about peach trees; frost dates tell you about tomatoes.
More from Frost Dates & Planting Timing
- When is the last frost date in my area?
- What does 50% frost probability mean?
- When is it safe to plant tomatoes outside?
- How do I use frost probability tables for planting decisions?
- What is a killing frost vs. a light frost?
- Can I plant earlier using row cover?
- How do I protect plants from a late spring frost?
- What crops can survive a frost?
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