Hi, I'm trying to figuare out which zone i'm in to begin my flowers and herbs. I'm located in Kittery, ME. a half mile from portsmouth NH., i've been to every map and zone finders some saying zone 6 ranging to zone 4. Is there some flexibility in planting, as with the weather or are these to extreme to begin my buying and planning without speaking to my local seller? Any help on what to buy and what zone I should target for would be very helpful. Thank You, Deirdre

You could just go with zone 5. Right in between those 2 zones. But your best bet would be to go to your local growers or nursery and ask them. They will know what grows best in your area.

Amy

Deirdre. I looked in my gardens alive catalog, and you are in zone 4. I live in zone 5, michigan, and i won't be starting my planting until the middle of May.

Also you can call your Local County Extension Agent, and he will provide you with a definite answer.

Thanks a lot, as I've been reading today, I have decieded that I was in between 4-6, but there is a leway for all plantings. I just want to get the most of each item I purchase, as it is my first real attempt in establishing a real herb garden, flower base with all the fixins'. Thank you agan for all the feed back. I'll go with zone 4.

The zones used in magazines, books and on nursery tags are the USDA's hardiness zones. They are defined by winter low temperatures, with the goal of identifying plants that can survive those temperatures. There is also a heat zone map.

The important fact to find out in timing your plantings is your average last frost date - as others have mentioned here, your local extension agent, farmers or master gardeners in your area should be able to tell you when that is.

You can plant cool-weather crops - cabbage family, brassicas, lettuce and peas - before the last frost date. But you want to wait until after the last frost to plant tomatoes, peppers and other heat-loving plants.

Hope that helps.

Scott