I noticed last winter that I did not need to bring my more delicate potted plants in but once. Twenty years ago we'd have fifteen or so all clustered in the laundry room by the back door for three or four weeks. I am watching the reports this winter just so I don't blow it, but I don't anticipate a rain forest in the kitchen this year. The new map below tells me why.

Here is the latest USDA Zone Map link. It is a very image rich site, so let it load. You can put in your zip code. I'm five degrees warmer in this map than the last one. I expect Sunset Western Gargen Book will com out with a new set of zones pretty soon. I'll see what they say. The link:

https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/

There are vids at the link about how to use the map.

CDFingers

Yes with global warming, winters aren't as harsh and there are longer growing seasons. In my area we don't get the number of snow days we used to get or the number of freezing nights. Growing up in the Bay Area we were more sensitive to weather so we covered the Jade Plant, the Gardenias and Camellias when there was a freeze alert.

highdesert wrote: Sat Nov 18, 2023 7:28 am Yes with global warming, winters aren't as harsh and there are longer growing seasons. In my area we don't get the number of snow days we used to get or the number of freezing nights. Growing up in the Bay Area we were more sensitive to weather so we covered the Jade Plant, the Gardenias and Camellias when there was a freeze alert.

Yeah: you don't need a sweater n the summer as often in the Bay Area any more.

CDFingers

Unseasonably warm in SW Wisconsin this fall. While it's pleasant, it's spooky. I love winter and snow. Mrs. Cooper and I are already eyeballing property in Michigan's UP (lots of great childhood memories of that area for me). We spent a few days in the UP last summer, just hiking and kayaking. Then spent a day in Marquette -- a surprisingly nice city.