Hardiness Zone Atlas
Your definitive guide to North American climate zones. From interactive maps to deep-dives on individual pages, this atlas covers everything you need to know about syncing your landscape with your local environment. Access structured, data-backed climate insights tailored for your specific region.
The Master Blueprint for Your Local Climate
The USDA Hardiness Zone system is the most essential tool for any homeowner looking to demystify the relationship between their backyard and the natural world. While we often focus on what we want to plant, the Hardiness Zone Atlas defines what is biologically possible. By organizing North America into specific regions based on their average annual minimum winter temperatures, this atlas provides the structured data you need to ensure your turf, ornamental plants, and trees are perfectly synced with your local environment.
Whether you are designing a high-performance lawn or selecting a new flowering shrub, understanding your zone is the first step in moving from guesswork to precision. Explore the structured registry below to find your specific zone, access detailed planting schedules, and see exactly which species are hardwired to thrive in your unique microclimate.
Pinpoint Your Hardiness Zone
Your journey starts with one simple but vital number: your local winter temperature floor. While this atlas organizes climate data for all of North America, its real value comes to life when you see how it applies to your own backyard. Every zone in the registry below represents a unique environment with its own set of rules. Understanding these levels is the ultimate “gatekeeper” that decides which plants will thrive and which will fail.
Finding your specific zone is the first step toward a successful landscape. By knowing your baseline, you can stop the guesswork and focus on the specific lists and planting schedules that match your area. This approach lets you explore the registry with confidence, building a beautiful, resilient yard based on facts rather than trial and error.
To start filtering the individual zone lists for your region, use the MFY Zone Finder to instantly find your primary USDA Hardiness Zone. Simply enter your five-digit ZIP code below to get started.
Enter your zip code below
A ZIP code offers precision, but the interactive map below provides the geographic context needed for professional results. Use it to verify the Border Rule: if you live near a boundary, local microclimates can shift your conditions into the neighboring zone. The map also reveals your Climate Buffer, showing if your yard is a warm pocket susceptible to sudden temperature swings from colder surrounding regions.
The USDA Hardiness Zones
Below is the organized collection of North American hardiness zones, ranging from the sub-arctic conditions of Zone 1 to the tropical climates of Zone 13. Each entry represents a unique biological profile defined by a 10-degree Fahrenheit difference in average annual minimum temperatures. Within these cards, you can explore the specific sub-zones (a and b) that further refine your local climate data. Select your zone to access its dedicated page, where you will find detailed planting schedules, interactive maps, and a curated list of species specifically compatible with your environment.
USDA Hardiness Zone 1: The Arctic Frontier
Temp. Range: e.g., “0°F to 5°F”
First Frost: e.g., “November 15”
Last Frost: e.g., “April 1”
e.g., “Late spring frosts and high summer humidity”
USDA Hardiness Zone 2: The Subarctic Shield
Temp. Range: e.g., “0°F to 5°F”
First Frost: e.g., “November 15”
Last Frost: e.g., “April 1”
e.g., “Late spring frosts and high summer humidity”
USDA Hardiness Zone 3: The Cold Continental
Temp. Range: e.g., “0°F to 5°F”
First Frost: e.g., “November 15”
Last Frost: e.g., “April 1”
e.g., “Late spring frosts and high summer humidity”
USDA Hardiness Zone 12: The Equatorial Tropics
Temp. Range: e.g., “0°F to 5°F”
First Frost: e.g., “November 15”
Last Frost: e.g., “April 1”
e.g., “Late spring frosts and high summer humidity”
USDA Hardiness Zone 13: The Ultra-Tropical
Temp. Range: e.g., “0°F to 5°F”
First Frost: e.g., “November 15”
Last Frost: e.g., “April 1”
e.g., “Late spring frosts and high summer humidity”
The Foundation: Soil & Environment
While your hardiness zone dictates the air temperature, your soil determines the health of your root systems. To build a truly professional-grade landscape, you must align your local climate with the physical conditions of your ground. Our dedicated soil hubs provide the data-backed insights you need to understand these variables. Explore the Soil Texture Hub to identify your specific earth type or dive into the Soil Conditions Hub to master pH levels, drainage, and nutrient density. Understanding these factors ensures that the species you select for your zone have the right foundation to thrive.
Discover Soil Textures Discover Soil ConditionsSoil Profile Tool
Identifying your soil is the key to precision maintenance. Use the MFY builder to document your yard’s unique layers and gain a clear picture of your property’s hidden environment.
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The Science Behind the Zones
The data on this page provides the formal structure needed to organize a landscape, but the reality of nature is often more narrative than a simple ZIP code can describe. To help you bridge the gap between hard data and real-world gardening, we have developed a deep-dive look at the history, science, and nuances of the USDA system. This guide explores why certain plants defy the maps and how you can use “test winters” and microclimate awareness to protect your investment.
Learn More